SUGGESTED USA PICKLEBALL RULE CHANGES FOR 2024

Rule Change Process | Submit A Rule Change

Rule Submission TitlePlayer Stopping Play
Existing Rule #7.I and Section 8 - Dead Ball Rules
Proposed Rule Change

7.I. A live ball in play that is stopped by a player before it becomes dead except for a valid fault call against an opponent or themselves (e.g., catching or stopping a ball in flight before it makes contact with the playing surface). The fault is on the player who stopped the ball.

8.X A player may stop play without penalty in an officiated match to call a valid fault against an opponent or themselves. If the referee determines that the fault called by the player did not occur, it is a fault against the player who called the invalid fault.

 

Original Rule Text

7.I. A live ball that is stopped by a player before it becomes dead (e.g., catching or stopping a ball in flight before it makes contact with the playing surface). The fault is on the player who stopped the ball.

Reasoning Behind Suggested Change

This rule codifies that a player may stop play without penalty in officiated matches to call a valid fault against an opponent. If the referee determines that the fault called by the player was not valid, it is a fault against the player who called the invalid fault.

Scenarios In Which the Rules Applies

Scenario 1: The server for Team A serves from the wrong position. Team B stops play before returning the serve and calls a fault on Team A before the referee does. The referee confirms the incorrect position of the server and enforces the incorrect position fault against Team A.

Scenario 2: Team A serves a ball that lands just beyond the NVZ line. Team B returns the serve just before the ball bounces twice. Team A stops play claiming that the ball bounced twice. The referee saw that the ball did not bounce twice and calls a fault on Team A for stopping play before the ball became dead.

Rule Book Year2024
Rule Change ID1215
Date CreatedMay 15, 2023
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