Remove allowance for a paddle to go under the net

11.I.1. Exception: If the ball bounces into a receiving player’s court with enough backspin or wind aid to cause it to return to the other side of the net, the receiving player may cross the plane of the net (over the net, under or around the net post) to hit the ball. It is a fault if the receiving player (or anything the receiving player is wearing or carrying) crosses the plane of the net before the ball has first crossed back over the plane of the net to the opponent’s side. It is a fault if the player touches the net system, the opponent’s court, or the opponent while the ball is still in play.

11.I.1. Exception: If the ball bounces into a receiving player’s court with enough backspin or wind aid to cause it to return to the other side of the net, the receiving player may cross the plane of the net (over, under or around the net post) to hit the ball. It is a fault if the receiving player (or anything the receiving player is wearing or carrying) crosses the plane of the net before the ball has first crossed back over the plane of the net to the opponent’s side. It is a fault if the player touches the net system, the opponent’s court, or the opponent while the ball is still in play.

The phrase “over, under, or around the net post” is intended to describe permissible ways a player may reach a ball that has spun or been wind-aided back over the net after bouncing. However, allowing the ball to be played under the net is both impractical and inconsistent with other rules of pickleball:

1. Crossing the Plane Under the Net is a Fault:

   A shot that travels under the net does not cross the plane properly and is therefore a fault. If the ball cannot legally pass under the net, allowing a player to attempt a return from underneath makes no sense.

2. There Is No Legal Playable Space “Under” the Net:

   Unlike “around the post” (which is a legal shot under Rule 11.M), there is no such thing as a legal “under-the-net” shot in pickleball. Keeping “under” in the language implies a theoretical shot that has no basis in the rules.

3. Rule Consistency and Simplification:

   Removing “under” aligns this exception with the broader set of net rules and helps eliminate contradictions. Simplifying the language also improves comprehension for players, referees, and instructors.

This is a simple change to eliminate something that has rarely, if ever happened.

The removal of the word "under" means a player could no longer reach under the net with their paddle to play a ball.  Many nets prevent this naturally because of their length.  This small change makes all nets consistent in what is allowed with Rule 11.I.1.

Added insight: I wrote this rule.  At the time, it seemed of little consequence and to some degree it still does.  We added it with little thought or debate, but we neglected to think in larger terms of what this means with respect to the net as a barrier.  Frankly, leaving it in the rules as is has become indefensible.