Non-verbal indicators for stoppages

8.A. Any action that stops play will result in a dead ball. Valid stoppages of play include those made for service errors (4.B.10.), wrong score (4.K), or hinders (8.C.). Indicators to stop play may be verbal, such as "stop", "wait", "ball"; or non-verbal indicators such as catching a live ball (7.I.), raising a hand or paddle above the head, or the player's back being turned toward the net.

8.A. Any action that stops play will result in a dead ball.

For valid stoppages of play, current rules such as 4.K. use phrases such as "may stop play" but lack instruction on permitted methods to do so. Pickleball has increasingly adjusted to meet the need for non-verbal signals, and for stopping play, catching the ball per 7.I. is not always possible. Rules 3.A.19. and 4.C. include established methods for verbal and non-verbal indicators for Line Calls and Readiness, respectively. It would be helpful and consistent to offer these established methods to non-verbally indicate stoppages of play. This addition could be made to 8.A., or the Definitions section, or both.

A receiver realizes the wrong score was called before the serve. To indicate a valid stoppage of the rally she raises her hand above her head prior to intentionally hitting the ball into the net. The rally was stopped when she raised her hand.

A receiver realizes the wrong server has served. Already in motion, he continues rotation to turn his back to the net, letting the serve pass.

As a player at the back line prepares to strike the ball, she sees a ball rolling onto the far court. She raises her paddle high to indicate the hinder and stop the rally.

(Any of these scenarios may have instead used or been supplemented by verbal indicators).