Pickleball Information

Pickleball is an exciting and fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. While many players are familiar with the basic rules, some lesser-known regulations can impact the game in unexpected ways. Whether you're a recreational player or a competitive athlete, understanding these uncommon rules will help you play smarter and avoid costly mistakes.

Here is a scenario I recently encountered. While playing, my paddle slipped out of my hand, struck the pickleball, and landed in for a winner. According to the official USA Pickleball Rulebook, a player must hit the ball with the paddle in hand for the shot to be considered valid. If your paddle slips out of your hand and makes contact with the ball, the point is lost. Lets explore more uncommon rules.

1. Ball Hitting the Paddle Hand

• If the ball hits your hand below the wrist (hand and fingers) while you're holding the paddle, it is considered a legal shot, and play continues.

• If the ball hits your arm above the wrist, it is a fault, and you lose the rally.

2. Double Hits Can Be Legal

• If the ball unintentionally hits the paddle twice in a single, continuous motion, it is legal.

• If the second hit is deliberate or occurs as a separate action, it is a fault.

3. Around-the-Post (ATP) Shots

• The ball does not have to go over the net to be legal.

• If an opponent's shot sends the ball wide and low, you can return it around the post into their court.

• There is no restriction on how low the ball must travel as long as it lands inbounds.

4. No Volleys While Standing Outside the Sidelines

Most players know they can step outside the court to chase a ball, but few realize that you cannot volley the ball while standing completely outside the court (beyond the sideline or baseline). To legally volley, at least one foot must be inbounds at the moment of contact.

5. Momentum Rule in the Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)

• If you hit a volley while standing outside the NVZ but your momentum carries you into the kitchen afterward, it is still a fault.

• You must completely re-establish both feet outside the NVZ before volleying again.

6. Serves Must Be Underhand

• The paddle must move in an upward arc at contact.

• The highest part of the paddle head must be below the wrist when making contact.

• The server’s feet must be behind the baseline until after the ball is struck.

7. Ball Hitting an Opponent Before Bouncing

• If you hit a legal shot and it strikes your opponent before bouncing, you win the rally.

• If the ball was going out, the player who got hit loses the rally unless they can argue they were inside the court and couldn’t avoid it.

8. Ball Hitting the Net Post

• If the ball hits the net post and bounces back onto your side, it is a fault.

• If the ball hits the post and lands inbounds on your opponent’s side, it is still in play.

9. Partner Communication and "Out" Calls

• Either partner can call the ball in or out, but if there’s disagreement, the call should favor “in”.

• If an opponent questions an “out” call, they can request a replay, but the final decision rests with the team making the call.

10. Intentional Distractions Are Illegal

• You cannot yell, wave your paddle, or stomp to intentionally distract your opponent.

• However, unintentional noises (like grunting or paddle clinks) are allowed.

11. Two Bounce Rule

• After the ball is served, each side must make one groundstroke prior to volleying the ball.

12. Apparel

• Safety and Distraction. A player may be required to change apparel that is inappropriate, including that which approximates the color of the ball.

13. Serving

• The entire score must be called before the ball is served.

• If the serve clears the net or contacts the net in crossing and then touches the receiver or the receiver’s partner, it is a point for the serving team.

14. Calling The Score

• The score shall be called after the server and receiver are (or should be) in position and all players are (or should be) ready to play.

• In non-officiated play, the server normally calls the score, but the server’s partner may call the score if the server is unable to call the score. The person calling the score shall not change during the game unless there is a voice impairment.

15. 10-Second Rule

• Once the score has been called, the server is allowed 10 seconds to serve the ball.

• If the server exceeds 10 seconds to serve, a fault will be declared.

16. Line Calling

• Spectators shall not be consulted on any line call.

• Players shall not call a ball “out” unless they can clearly see a space between the line and the ball as it hits the ground.

• All “out” calls must be promptly signaled by voice and/or hand signal.

• In doubles play, if one player calls the ball “out” and the partner calls it “in,” then doubt exists and the team’s call will be “in.”

17. Plane Of The Net

• Crossing the plane of the net prior to striking the ball is a fault. Immediately after striking the ball, a player or anything the player is/was wearing or carrying may cross the plane of the net. The player may not touch any part of the net system, the opponent’s court, or the opponent while the ball is still live. After striking the ball, the allowance to cross the plane of the net only applies in the course of executing the current strike of the ball and for continuation specifically associated with the current strike of the ball.

• Exception: If the ball bounces into a receiving player’s court with enough backspin or wind aid to cause it to return to the other side of the net, the receiving player may cross the plane of the net (over, under or around the net post) to hit the ball. It is a fault if the receiving player (or anything the receiving player is wearing or carrying) crosses the plane of the net before the ball has first crossed back over the plane of the net to the opponent’s side. It is a fault if the player touches the net system, the opponent’s court, or the opponent while the ball is still in play.

To summarize: yes, a pickleball player's paddle can cross the plane of the net, but only under specific circumstances:

• After Contact with the Ball – If you hit a volley and your paddle naturally crosses over the net after striking the ball, it's legal as long as you don’t touch the net.

• During a Follow-Through – If your momentum carries your paddle over the net after a shot, that's fine, provided the ball was hit on your side first.

• Around-the-Post (ATP) Shots – You can hit a shot around the net post without crossing over the net's plane from above.

• However, it is not allowed to reach over the net to hit the ball unless: The ball has already bounced on your opponent's side and is spinning or carried back over due to wind or spin (in this case, you can reach over and hit it).

Conclusion

Understanding these lesser-known rules can give you a competitive edge and prevent unnecessary faults. Whether you're playing for fun or in a tournament, knowing the intricacies of pickleball will help you stay one step ahead on the court.

By mastering these uncommon rules, you can not only improve your game but also gain an advantage over players who may not be as familiar with them. So, next time you step onto the court, keep these rules in mind and play with confidence!