Two-Bounce Rule — Self-Assessment Criteria

2026 Rules:

25.B Adaptive Standing Play. Adaptive standing players must comply with Rules 25.B.1 through 25.B.4.
25.B.1 Player Eligibility. Adaptive standing players must have a permanent physical disability that significantly affects their mobility, balance, or coordination, and not use a wheelchair during play. Examples include, but are not limited to, players with lower-limb amputation above the knee, limb difference, cerebral palsy, stroke, neurological or orthopedic conditions that affect movement coordination, severe balance limitations, or spinal cord injury with ambulatory function, and players using crutches or braces who cannot move quickly to the ball. Players with below-knee amputations or minor impairments without significant balance or mobility limitations are eligible as adaptive standing players but are not eligible for the two-bounce allowance option (see Rule 25.B.3.a.)
25.B.1.a Confirmation of Eligibility. Adaptive standing player eligibility may be verified by self-assessment.
25.B.2 Assistive Devices. Players may use assistive devices such as prosthetics, orthotics, braces, crutches, or canes during play.
25.B.2.a Part of Body. Assistive devices are considered part of the player’s body.
25.B.2.b Prohibited Use. Assistive devices must not be used to strike the ball or to intentionally alter its flight. If an assistive device contacts a live ball, the ball becomes dead and the rally ends.
25.B.2.c Dislodged Device. If an assistive device becomes dislodged during a rally, the rally must continue to completion.
25.B.2.d Fault – Non-Volley Zone Contact While Volleying. When a player’s assistive device, or anything that has contact with the volleying player (including the player’s partner) contacts the non-volley zone, it is a fault against the player. (Modifies Rule 11.A.1)
25.B.2.e Fault – Non-Volley Zone Momentum. When a volleying player’s momentum causes the player’s assistive device to contact anything (including the player’s partner) that is in contact with the non-volley zone, even after the ball becomes dead, it is a fault against the volleying player. (Modifies Rule 11.A.2)
25.B.2.f Fault – Outside Serving Area. If a server’s assistive device is in contact with the playing surface outside the correct serving area when the serve is hit, it is a fault against the server. (Modifies Rule 7.A.3.a)
25.B.3 Two-Bounce Allowance. Eligible adaptive standing players may use the two-bounce allowance option in an adaptive standing or hybrid event.
25.B.3.a. Eligibility and Declaration. Players that may be eligible for the two-bounce allowance option include above-knee amputees, players with significant mobility impairments, players with neurological conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy, stroke) that significantly affect their movement, balance, or coordination, and players using crutches or braces who cannot move quickly to the ball. If a player has any doubt about their eligibility for the two-bounce allowance option, the player must not use the two-bounce allowance option. The two-bounce allowance option must be declared prior to the start of a match and must be used for the entire match.
25.B.3.b Second Bounce Location. The second bounce can be anywhere on the playing surface. (Modifies Rule 10.B.)
25.B.3.c Fault – Failure to Return Ball Before Third Bounce. When the player does not return a ball before it bounces three times, it is a fault against the player. (Modifies Rule 10.B.1.)
25.B.3.d Dead Ball. When the ball strikes a permanent object (e.g., fence, wall) before the second bounce, it is a dead ball and the rally ends.
25.B.3.e Player Identification Marker. At the Tournament Director’s discretion, adaptive standing players using the two-bounce allowance may be required to wear a unique visible identification marker (e.g., a wristband) during a match.
25.B.3.f Hybrid Events. Players not qualified for the two-bounce allowance in an adaptive standing event are not eligible for the two-bounce allowance in hybrid events.
25.B.4 Tournament Events. Adaptive standing players may play in any event that allows standing players with either standing players or partners, or wheelchair players or partners. Only adaptive standing players are allowed to play in adaptive standing-only events. Adaptive standing players may play in hybrid events. In all cases, the specific rules governing adaptive standing players apply to any player who is eligible, regardless of the event format or the classification of their opponents or partners.
25.C Hybrid Doubles Play. Hybrid doubles events must comply with Rules
25.C.1 through
25.C.3.
25.C.1 Tournament Event. Hybrid Doubles is a doubles event in which each team consists of one wheelchair player and one standing player, able-bodied or adaptive.

Athletes with disabilities that significantly affect their ability to move or maintain balance during rallies are eligible for the two-bounce rule.
Examples of Eligible Players:
• Above-knee amputees
• Athletes with severe balance impairments
• Players with neurological conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy, stroke) that affect movement coordination
• Players using crutches or braces who cannot move quickly to the ball
Not Eligible:
• Players with below-knee amputations or minor impairments who can move quickly to the ball without significant balance or mobility limitations

** If there is any doubt about the player’s eligibility for the two-bounce allowance, that player should not take the two-bounce allowance. The spirit of this rule is to create a more even playing field in the Adaptive Standing Division.

No existing criteria for two-bounce eligibility.

Provides clear, reasonable guidance for self-assessment and eligibility determination, ensuring fair use of the two-bounce allowance.

Adaptive Standing Division players declaring two-bounce allowance in sanctioned play.

Submitted on behalf of the Para/Adaptive Sports working group.