10.A.5 - The Referee will announce when there is 15 seconds remaining. At the end of the time-out period, the refrree shall call "time in" and then call the score when all players are (or should be) ready to play. In a non-refereed match,  the time - out period shall end when the server calls "time in" or begins calling the score.

10.A.5 - The Referee will announce when there is 15 seconds remaining. At the end of the time-out period, the refrree shall call "time in" and then call the score when all players are (or should be) ready to play.

Just as ina refereed match it is important that players know the excat point that the timeout period has ended in an non refereed match.

In an non-refereed match several circumstances could arise that create conflict between opponents because they are unclear that the time out period has ended and time is in.

1. Coaching -  without a defined end of the timeout period (i.e.  stating "time in" ) it is possible someone could provide coaching while players are getting into postion and upto the point the ball is served, such as telling players they are in the wrong position, or any number of  suggestions such as saying "Remember to ..." (then giving instructions on  technique, strategy, or directions on style of play). By defining the end point of  the timeout period,  this gives the players the point that which  coaching must end.
2. Confusion and extending the timeout - (Scenerio- the recieving team gets into postion after the timeout - but just before the serve, they say "timeout - I need to tell my partner something" .  Is the orginal timeout extended? Did the recieving team just call a new timeout ? By setting a defined point the original timeout period had ended, this could be edjudicated by the players without a referee.
3. Other circumstances that occur just before play resumes after the time out period has ended that may be considered a fault, hinder,  or distraction but the accused player uses the excuse  "but we are still in timeout" so it doesn't matter.

See above.

The reasoning behind this suggested rule change is that most tournament games are not refereed. As pickleball grows, more and more  tournament with non refereed matches will be taking place,  and most new players to the game will not play in tournaments with refereed matches.  Therefore the majority of pickleball players will be playing matches without referees,  thus it is good practice to offer players who are not in a refereed tournament match,  the rule guidance for situations that are otherwise clearly defined if they had a referee.

Note : This proposed rule cahnge is not intended to require players in a non refereed match to call "time in " after a time out, that is why it is proposed  rule change indicated that the server saying "time in" or calling the score - ends the timeout period.