LIST OF SUGGESTED PICKLEBALL RULE CHANGES FOR PREVIOUS YEARS

Rule Change Process

Rule Submission TitleLate forfeited team also forfeits their chance at the coin toss/fair method.
USAP Board Voting StatusFailed
USAP Rules Committee Voting StatusFailed. This adds an additional penatly to the team that has already lost the first game. That is not necessary.
Existing Rule #13.4.H
Proposed Rule Change

13.H.4. If the match is a two-out-of-three (or three-out-of-
five) game format, a referee may impose a game forfeit when a player fails to report to play 10 minutes
after the match has been called to play. The forfeited team also forfeits their chance at winning the fair method "coin toss" (as outlined in 5.A.1).

A match forfeit will be imposed when a player fails to report to
play 15 minutes after the match has been called to
play. If the match is a 1 to 15 or 1 to 21 format game,
the match forfeit occurs when the player fails to
report to play 10 minutes after the match has been
called to play. The Tournament Director may permit a
longer delay if circumstances warrant such a decision.

Original Rule Text

13.H.4. If the match is a two-out-of-three (or three-out-of-
five) game format, a referee may impose a game forfeit when a player fails to report to play 10 minutes
after the match has been called to play. A match forfeit will be imposed when a player fails to report to
play 15 minutes after the match has been called to
play. If the match is a 1 to 15 or 1 to 21 format game,
the match forfeit occurs when the player fails to
report to play 10 minutes after the match has been
called to play. The Tournament Director may permit a
longer delay if circumstances warrant such a decision.

Reasoning Behind Suggested Change

It's possible a team can be late to match than win the coin toss/fair method than stick the opposing team (who was on time) on the bad side of the court for 1.5 of the remaining 2 games.

Scenarios In Which the Rules Applies

Courts with dead spots on only one end

Courts where the fence is closer on one end of the court than the other.

etc.

 

 

Rule Book Year2023
Rule Change ID518
Date CreatedJune 20, 2022
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