| 2024 | Section 3 - Definitions | 1210 | In Play/Live Ball | | For the reasons indicated in the proposal. Also change Rules 7.G, 11.i, and 11.k to use 'live' to correlate with the correct useage of the terms 'Live ball' and 'In play'. | View Details |
| 2024 | Preamble | 971 | Allowed modifications for Pro-level matches | | The proposal is too wide open, leaving the TD the ability to do almost anything they want and without the approval of USAP. The proposal would allow rule modifications to be made by the TD prior the start of a match or a bracket, which is inappropriate. Players should know before registration for a tournament of any rule modifications. If there are special event formats or scoring rules desired, they should be proposed either individually or as a group of changes for inclusion in the Rulebook. The proposal that rules must not make a mockery of the game is vague, subjective and cannot be enforced with consistency across the sport. | View Details |
| 2024 | Page 1 | 1206 | Rule adjustments Non Sanctioned tournaments | | Non sanctioned tournaments have the authority to do what they want with the rules for all brackets, including those above 3.5. USAP does not have authority to place additional restrictions on the tournament director. | View Details |
| 2024 | NONE | 1165 | Ball Color | | Ball color should remain the decision of the Tournament Director. Personal preferences on ball color should not be a determining factor. | View Details |
| 2024 | None | 1133 | Defining the End of the Match | | The proposal does identify why this is needed or what problems, if any, this solves. It is not necessary to require those who lost the match to sign the scoresheet. The point in time when match ends is when the game-winning point has been scored. See also action on proposals 1008 and 1035. | View Details |
| 2024 | None | 896 | Officiating Team Definition | | Delete 'and ball retrievers'. Ball retrievers are not involved in the actual officiating of a match. To correlate with the revised definition, modify the second sentence in 13.E.3 to read '... the referee shall canvass other appropriate members of the officiating team to assist in making the call.' The current text requires the referee to canvass all remaining officiating team members, which is no longer accurate with the revised definition. | View Details |
| 2024 | None | 1017 | Correct Pro Player Positions Before the Serve | The majority of the Board feels that faults resulting from not keeping the accurate score or remembering correct positions should not determine the outcome of a pickleball match. | This rule has been in effect for 16 years and is one that make the sport unique. The existing remedy of simply asking the referee for confirmation (i.e., Am I good) may occur frequently but is overwhelmingly handled quickly and smoothly with no adverse affect on the flow of the game. Regardless, these faults are relatively infrequent. It may seem unfortunate that a game can end on this type of fault, but it is no different than ending a game on an NVZ or a service foot fault. There are few, if any, other sports where the referee coaches players to avoid a fault. This is not a large enough problem to warrant elimination of a long-standing, fundamental rule. Just because it may be easy for a referee to do does not justify removing responsibility from the players to comply with the rule. | View Details |
| 2024 | No Existing Rule | 1101 | Close Rules Gap for Case Book CASE 5-23: RESCINDING A REQUESTED MEDICAL TIME OUT | | This should remain as a Casebook item. However, it was determined that Case 5-23 is flawed and will be revised to reflect 1) that the referee should have no role in determining if it is safe for a player to resume play, and 2) that the player will still be charged with their medical time-out. Medical personnel, the Tournament Director and the player are the only ones who can determine if it is safe for a player to resume play. Players that call a medical time-out should be charged the time-out even if they later decide to resume play. | View Details |
| 2024 | No Current Rule | 1121 | Close Rules Gap for Casebook Case 3-21 - FAILURE TO CHANGE ENDS AT 6,8 OR 11 | | For the reason stated in the proposal. Editorially, change the 'and' to 'or' in the first sentence. | View Details |
| 2024 | N/A | 1089 | Paddle Inspection (Non-Officiated matches) | | Allowing a paddle check by players is not appropriate and would invite contentious interactions. A modified version of the last sentence will more properly cover the rights of all players, as follows '13.L.2.a. If any player believes a paddle is not USAP approved or does not otherwise comply with all paddle rules, the player is allowed to summon the Head Referee or Tournament Director to determine if the paddle is legal for play.' | View Details |
| 2024 | 8.C | 1022 | Rule 8.C Clarification of Procedure when a Hinder is Called in Non-Officiated Play | | For the reasons stated in the proposal. | View Details |
| 2024 | 7H | 991 | Restrict hand contact with ball to incidental contact with hands contacting the paddle handle | | Limiting contact to the paddle handle is too restrictive. The scenario is certainly clever but the action does not provide any apparent unfair advantage. A player manipulating the ball with their fingers is subject to a fault for an illegal carry. | View Details |
| 2024 | 7.N | 878 | Dropped Ball | | This is adequately addressed in the Officiating Handbook. It is not necessary to codify rare situations like this. | View Details |
| 2024 | 7.L | 886 | Remove 'deliberately' from the wording of a carry fault. | | For the reasons indicated in the proposal. | View Details |
| 2024 | 7.I and Section 8 - Dead Ball Rules | 1215 | Player Stopping Play | | The specific situations where a player may stop play are covered in Rule 13.D.1.c. Allowing players to call any type of fault on their opponent will not be good for the game. | View Details |
| 2024 | 7.H. | 1102 | Close Rules Gap for Casebook Case 2-22 - BALL CONTACTS A PLAYERS HAT | | The casebook item addresses an interpretation of the current rule, not a gap in the rule, and should remain in the casebook. | View Details |
| 2024 | 7.G | 982 | Safety: make entering an adjacent court an explicit fault | | This would produce faults that have no effect on the rally being played. The language is flawed for a number of reasons. A player's hat falling on the other court would be a fault. The change would apply even when the other court is not in use. | View Details |
| 2024 | 6d5 | 954 | Appeal of rally ending shot | | The current rule is adequate. It is not necessary or appropriate to shorten the time allowed for an appeal. There is nothing inherently wrong or unfair if a player chooses to use a timeout to give them more time to consider it or to get coaching. | View Details |
| 2024 | 6.D.9 | 1021 | Clarification of Rule 6.D.9. Out Calls | | Making an out call by voice only or by a hand signal only is acceptable. It is not necessary to require a voice OUT signal. Line judge requirements are covered in 13.E and do not need to be included here. Modify the current rule by changing 'should' to 'must' to make the requirement mandatory. | View Details |
| 2024 | 6.D.8 | 960 | Appeal to an opponent's partner when there is no referee | | Good sportsmanship includes respecting an opponent's call and not questioning or commenting on the call as set fort in Section 1 of the Rules. This change would move the game away from sportsmanship rather than toward it. | View Details |
| 2024 | 6.D.7 | 888 | Calling a ball out. Changing rule from passive to active voice | | Active voice is not required here. The current wording is clear and well understood. Stating a rule as 'A player needs to" is uncommon. 'Must' instead of 'needs to' would be preferable. | View Details |
| 2024 | 6.D.6 | 1045 | Line calls | | The different line-calling criteria for officials versus players is intentional. The rule for players is intended to promote sportsmanship by giving the benefit of doubt to the opponent in close calls. The responsibilities of referees and line judges is not the same as is expressed in Rule 6.D. | View Details |
| 2024 | 6.D.12. | 984 | 6.D.12. Who on officiating team can a player overrule a line call to their own disadvantage. | | The change is not necessary. The generic term "officiating team's line call" is adequate since only the individuals who are authorized to do so will be involved in line calls. | View Details |
| 2024 | 6.D.12 | 881 | Overriding your own line call | | For the reasons indicated in the proposal. | View Details |
| 2024 | 6.D.12 | 1213 | Overriding Player Line Calls | | The current rule is appropriate. Players should have the ability to overrule a line judge's call to their own disadvantage. | View Details |
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