SUGGESTED USA PICKLEBALL RULE CHANGES FOR 2024

Rule Change Process | Submit A Rule Change

Rule Submission TitleClarification of Defer Selection for First Choice
Existing Rule #5.A.1
Proposed Rule Change

5.A. Selection of End, Serve, or Receive.

5.A.1. Any fair method shall be used to determine which singles player or doubles team has first choice of court end, or to serve or receive , or defer(e.g., choosing a number a 1 or 2 written on the back of the score sheet, flipping a coin). The player or team identified to choose first may defer the first choice to the opponent. If the player or team making the first choice selects If the winner chooses to serve or receive first, the opponent chooses which end of the court to start onloser chooses the starting end. If the first choice is winner chooses the starting end, the opponentloser chooses to serve or receive. Once a selection has been made, it cannot be changed.

Original Rule Text

5.A. Selection of End, Serve, Receive, or Defer.

5.A.1. Any fair method shall be used to determine which player or team has first choice of end, serve, receive, or defer (e.g., a 1 or 2 written on the back of the score sheet, flipping a coin). If the winner chooses to serve or receive first, the loser chooses the starting end. If the winner chooses the starting end, the loser chooses to serve or receive. Once a selection has been made, it cannot be changed

Reasoning Behind Suggested Change

This is a clarification that only the player or team winning the first choice can elect to defer.

Rule Book Year2024
Rule Change ID1212
Date CreatedMay 15, 2023
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