USA Pickleball Rule Changes
Suggested USA Pickleball Rule Changes for 2027
Rule change submissions for the 2027 rulebook process are currently closed.
| Rule Submission Title | Sanctioned Team Rules |
|---|---|
| Existing Rule # | 15., 15.B.7 |
| Proposed Rule Change | 15.B.7 Team Play. Team play participants are designated by roster and play can include gender singles, gender doubles, mixed doubles and mixed singles. Team play may use standard scoring or rally scoring for both singles and doubles play. They may play a one to eleven, fifteen or twenty-one game. Each game is part of a match that is a combination of these games. A team that has clinched a match win by winning the majority of games, with their opponent having no way to tie the match, may elect not to play the last game of the match unless the Tournament Director requires this. Teams will select their "line ups" based on the TD's requirements. TD's may use the "coin toss" to allow teams to chose how they pair players. TD's may also use the coin toss to allow teams to chose to begin with serve, receive, or end of court for the entire match Teams may play a combination of these formats in a best of 4 or 5 series. This series may include a tie breaker match. Team Tournament Directors may chose to play a standard singles tie break or a mixed singles format. The mixed singles format may be either a two or four player rotation based on the number of rallies played. Example below. Tournament Directors may elect to use Rule 14.A for Rally Scoring or may use a non conventional format and scoring system of rally scoring where the players start each rally on assigned sides of the court and do not switch based on score. The serve originates from the side of the court corresponding to the score. Scoring is the same as 14.A as there is a point awarded for each rally. Teams may change player positions at time outs and required end changes. Tournament directors may require a "Win on Serve" scoring option. Teams may assign points for wins either by game or by match, play an event as a round robin with playoff, or use any approved tie breaker system based on teams to declare the winner. The Tournament director may decide the age and player rating allowed in these formats. The Tournament Director may also require proof of eligibility and academic requirements if needed. Time out rules, medical time out rules, coaching and "coin toss" rules may be modified by the Tournament Director provided they are documented prior to the start of the event. All paddles must be USA Pickleball approved and players notified prior to the event. Events may be fully officiated or MMP. The Tie Breaker system may be a mixed singles game of either a two or four player rotation based on number of rallies played. Teams will be required to rotate players based on a line up submitted prior to the game. The rotations may be after four or six rallies. Games may be to 11, 15 or 21. TD's may require a special "coin toss" or selection criteria for setting player rotations. Play format may be side out or rally scoring with a "win on serve" option. |
| Original Rule Text | 15.B Event Formats. Matches may use any of the approved tournament formats. 15.B.7 Team Play. Team play participants are designated by roster and play can include gender singles, gender doubles, and mixed doubles. Team play may use standard scoring or rally scoring for both singles and doubles play. |
| Reasoning Behind Suggested Change | Team play is an exciting event of play. There are many sorts of Teams that play together in various events held outside of a sanctioned tournament. This would be a great add to the USA Pickleball brackets for tournaments, college intermural, special local groups, neighborhoods, park districts, regions and more. Many of these Team events already exist outside of sanctioning. Some would like the opportunity to take advantage of sanctioned benefits. Some would like to see some sort of Team event at Nationals for Amateurs and Collegiate. This would bring more players into a standard format of play with rules that are fair and enforceable. This may allow Teams of various regions to standardize and play each other where they do not today. |
| Scenarios In Which the Rules Applies | APP Collegiate All Florida Pro League CSP NPL National Collegiate Players Association Many College Intramural leagues Many Neighborhood leagues and events Fund raisers, charities and Special Olympics options |
| Rule Book Year | 2027 |
| Rule Change ID | 2786 |
| Date Created | June 1, 2026 |
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