SUGGESTED USA PICKLEBALL RULE CHANGES FOR 2024

Rule Change Process | Submit A Rule Change

Rule Submission TitleEdit to formatting only
USAP Board VotePassed
USAP Rules Committee VotePassed
USAP Rules Committee Vote ReasonFor the reasons indicated in the proposal.
Existing Rule #13.I.
Proposed Rule Change

13.I. Match Forfeit. 
13.I.1.The referee will impose a match forfeit based on a combination of Technical Warnings or Technical Fouls when either of the following occurs: 
13.I.1.a.13.I.1. The combined issuance of two technical warnings and a technical foul listed in Rule 13.G.2 
13.I.1.b.13.I.2. After one technical foul has been assessed in accordance with Rule 13.G.3.b or Rule 13.G.2 and the subsequent issuance of a second technical foul for any reason. 
13.I.1.c.13.I.3. Behavior that shall result in a match forfeit that is not due to a combination of Technical Warnings or Technical Fouls: 
13.I.1.c.1.13.I.3.a. Making deliberately aggressive physical contact with an opponent, official or spectator. 
13.I.1.c.2.13.I.3.b. Aggressively or recklessly striking or throwing a ball or paddle out of frustration or anger that puts an individual or facility property at risk or in danger. 
13.I.2.13.I.4. The Tournament Director may impose a match forfeit for failure to comply with the tournament or host facility’s rules while on the premises, or for improper conduct on the premises between matches, or for abuse of hospitality, locker room, or failure to comply with other rules and procedures.

Original Rule Text

13.I. Match Forfeit. The referee will impose a match forfeit based on a combination of Technical Warnings or Technical Fouls when either of the following occurs: 

13.I.1. The combined issuance of two technical warnings and a technical foul listed in Rule 13.G.2 
13.I.2. After one technical foul has been assessed in accordance with Rule 13.G.3.b or Rule 13.G.2 and the subsequent issuance of a second technical foul for any reason. 
13.I.3. Behavior that shall result in a match forfeit that is not due to a combination of Technical Warnings or Technical Fouls. 
13.I.3.a. Making deliberately aggressive physical contact with an opponent, official or spectator.
13.I.3.b. Aggressively or recklessly striking or throwing a ball or paddle out of frustration or anger that puts an individual or facility property at risk or in danger. 
13.I.4. The Tournament Director may impose a match forfeit for failure to comply with the tournament or host facility’s rules while on the premises, or for improper conduct on the premises between matches, or for abuse of hospitality, locker room, or failure to comply with other rules and procedures. 

Reasoning Behind Suggested Change

This edit will allow the reader to more clearly identify that two separate tournament staff categories are able to individually declare match forfeits and to understand the standards which apply to each category.

Rule Book Year2024
Rule Change ID1075
Date CreatedApril 25, 2023
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