LIST OF SUGGESTED PICKLEBALL RULE CHANGES FOR PREVIOUS YEARS

Rule Change Process

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Rule Submission TitleSmart watches
USAP Board Voting StatusFailed
USAP Rules Committee Voting StatusFailed. Difficult to enforce. Some people need them for medical reasons.
Existing Rule #11.p
Proposed Rule Change

Players shall not wear or use headphones, earbuds or "smart watches" during competition play.
Exception: Prescribed or necessary hearing aids or are permitted.

Original Rule Text

Players shall not wear or use any

form of headphones or earbuds during competition play.

Exception: Prescribed or necessary hearing aids are permitted.

Reasoning Behind Suggested Change

Coaching. Most smart watches are capable of and in fact commonly used for receiving messages.

Scenarios In Which the Rules Applies

Impossible for a referee to differentiate if a player's checking their heart rate etc. or receiving coaching.

Rule Book Year2023
Rule Change ID439
Date CreatedJune 6, 2022
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