LIST OF SUGGESTED PICKLEBALL RULE CHANGES FOR PREVIOUS YEARS
| Rule Submission Title | 3.A.6. Distraction |
|---|---|
| USAP Board Voting Status | Failed |
| USAP Rules Committee Voting Status | Failed. 1) Doesn't significantly improve the rule 2) The proposed rule is written from the perspective of a player, but a distraction is actually called by the referee. |
| Existing Rule # | 3.A.6. |
| Proposed Rule Change | 3.A.6. Distraction – Actions by an opponent that are ‘not common to the game’ that, in the judgment of the referee, may interfere with the opponent’s ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to, making loud noises, stomping feet, waving the paddle in a distracting manner, or otherwise interfering with the opponent’s concentration or ability to hit the ball. |
| Original Rule Text | 3.A.6. Distraction – Physical actions by a player that are ‘not common to the game’ that, in the judgment of the referee, may interfere with the opponent’s ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to, making loud noises, stomping feet, waving the paddle in a distracting manner, or otherwise interfering with the opponent’s concentration or ability to hit the ball. |
| Reasoning Behind Suggested Change | The word "physical" is not needed in defining an action that may be a distraction. The word "player" is changed to "opponent" to further correct the definition. |
| Scenarios In Which the Rules Applies | If a player on a very close adjacent court makes loud noises, stomping feet, waving the paddle in a distracting manner, etc., it may be called a hinder. But only an opponent may be faulted for creating a distraction. |
| Rule Book Year | 2023 |
| Rule Change ID | 405 |
| Date Created | May 27, 2022 |
| View Comments | View Comments |