Pickleball Rules - Section 3
Definitions
These rules are provided by USA Pickleball. Visit usapickleball.org
to become a member, support the growth of pickleball, the maintenance of the rules, or to download a PDF of the official rules!
This section of the rulebook provides definitions of common terms used throughout the rules. For the most part, their ramifications are not covered in this section.3.A.1.
Carry
Hitting the ball in such a way that it does not bounce away from the paddle but is carried along on the face of the paddle.
Carry
Hitting the ball in such a way that it does not bounce away from the paddle but is carried along on the face of the paddle.
3.A.2.
Coaching
Communication of any information, including verbal, nonverbal, and electronic, from someone other than a player’s partner, that a player or team may act upon to gain an advantage or help them avoid a rules violation.
Coaching
Communication of any information, including verbal, nonverbal, and electronic, from someone other than a player’s partner, that a player or team may act upon to gain an advantage or help them avoid a rules violation.
3.A.3.
Court
The area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines.
Court
The area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines.
3.A.4.
Cross-Court
The court diagonally opposite of the court from which the ball was last struck.
Cross-Court
The court diagonally opposite of the court from which the ball was last struck.
3.A.5.
Dead Ball
A ball that is no longer in play.
Dead Ball
A ball that is no longer in play.
3.A.6.
Distraction
Physical actions by a player that are ‘not common to the game’ that, in the judgment of the referee, may interfere with the opponent’s ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to, making loud noises, stomping feet, waving the paddle in a distracting manner or otherwise interfering with the opponent’s concentration or ability to hit the ball.
Distraction
Physical actions by a player that are ‘not common to the game’ that, in the judgment of the referee, may interfere with the opponent’s ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to, making loud noises, stomping feet, waving the paddle in a distracting manner or otherwise interfering with the opponent’s concentration or ability to hit the ball.
3.A.7.
Double Bounce
When the ball bounces twice on one side before it is returned.
Double Bounce
When the ball bounces twice on one side before it is returned.
3.A.8.
Double Hit
Hitting the ball twice before it is returned.
Double Hit
Hitting the ball twice before it is returned.
3.A.9.
Ejection
A behavior violation so flagrant that it warrants ejection from the tournament by the Tournament Director. The player may stay at the venue but may no longer play in any matches.
Ejection
A behavior violation so flagrant that it warrants ejection from the tournament by the Tournament Director. The player may stay at the venue but may no longer play in any matches.
3.A.10.
Expulsion
A behavior violation so flagrant that the Tournament Director prohibits the player from playing in any current and any future brackets of the tournament. In addition, the player shall leave the venue immediately and not return for the remainder of the tournament.
Expulsion
A behavior violation so flagrant that the Tournament Director prohibits the player from playing in any current and any future brackets of the tournament. In addition, the player shall leave the venue immediately and not return for the remainder of the tournament.
3.A.11.
Fault
A rules violation that results in a dead ball and/or the end of the rally.
Fault
A rules violation that results in a dead ball and/or the end of the rally.
3.A.12.
First Server
In doubles, the player who shall serve from the right/even service court after a side out, according to the team’s score.
First Server
In doubles, the player who shall serve from the right/even service court after a side out, according to the team’s score.
3.A.13.
Forfeit
An egregious behavior violation or a combination of technical warnings and/or technical fouls that result in either a game or match being awarded to the opponent.
Forfeit
An egregious behavior violation or a combination of technical warnings and/or technical fouls that result in either a game or match being awarded to the opponent.
3.A.14.
Groundstroke
A strike of the ball after the ball has bounced.
Groundstroke
A strike of the ball after the ball has bounced.
3.A.15.
Hinder
Any transient element or occurrence not caused by a player that adversely impacts play, not including permanent objects. Examples include, but are not limited to, balls, flying insects, foreign material, players or officials on another court that, in the opinion of the referee, impacted a player’s ability to make a play on the ball.
Hinder
Any transient element or occurrence not caused by a player that adversely impacts play, not including permanent objects. Examples include, but are not limited to, balls, flying insects, foreign material, players or officials on another court that, in the opinion of the referee, impacted a player’s ability to make a play on the ball.
3.A.16
Imaginary extension
A term used to describe where a line would extend if it projected beyond its current end point. Players and referees are to project where the line would extend if it were not limited to the boundaries of the playing area.
Imaginary extension
A term used to describe where a line would extend if it projected beyond its current end point. Players and referees are to project where the line would extend if it were not limited to the boundaries of the playing area.
3.A.17.
Left/Odd Court
The service area on the left side of the court, when facing the net. The starting server in doubles or the singles server should be positioned on the left/odd side of the court when their score is odd.
Left/Odd Court
The service area on the left side of the court, when facing the net. The starting server in doubles or the singles server should be positioned on the left/odd side of the court when their score is odd.
3.A.18.
Line Call
A loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also acceptable.
Line Call
A loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also acceptable.
3.A.19.
Live Ball/In Play
The point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.1) starts to call the score.
Live Ball/In Play
The point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.1) starts to call the score.
3.A.20.
Momentum
Momentum is a property of a body in motion, such as a player executing a volley, that causes the player to continue in motion after contacting the ball. The act of volleying produces momentum that ends when the player regains balance and control of their motion or stops moving toward the non-volley zone.
Momentum
Momentum is a property of a body in motion, such as a player executing a volley, that causes the player to continue in motion after contacting the ball. The act of volleying produces momentum that ends when the player regains balance and control of their motion or stops moving toward the non-volley zone.
3.A.21.
Non-Volley Zone (NVZ)
The 7-foot-by-20-foot area adjacent to the net and specific to each team’s end of the court relating to NVZ faults. All lines bounding the NVZ are part of the NVZ. The NVZ is two-dimensional and does not rise above the playing surface.
Non-Volley Zone (NVZ)
The 7-foot-by-20-foot area adjacent to the net and specific to each team’s end of the court relating to NVZ faults. All lines bounding the NVZ are part of the NVZ. The NVZ is two-dimensional and does not rise above the playing surface.
3.A.22.
Paddle Grip Adjustment
Non-mechanical devices that change the size of the grip or stabilize the hand on the grip.
Paddle Grip Adjustment
Non-mechanical devices that change the size of the grip or stabilize the hand on the grip.
3.A.23.
Paddle Head
The paddle, excluding the handle.
Paddle Head
The paddle, excluding the handle.
3.A.24.
Permanent Object
Any object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court.
Permanent Object
Any object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court.
3.A.25.
Plane of the Net
The imaginary vertical planes on all sides extending beyond the net system.
Plane of the Net
The imaginary vertical planes on all sides extending beyond the net system.
3.A.26.
Playing Surface
The court and the area surrounding the court designated for playing.
Playing Surface
The court and the area surrounding the court designated for playing.
3.A.27.
Profanity
Words, phrases or hand gestures, common or uncommon, which are normally considered inappropriate in “polite company” or around children. Typically included are four-letter words used as expletives or verbal intensifiers.
Profanity
Words, phrases or hand gestures, common or uncommon, which are normally considered inappropriate in “polite company” or around children. Typically included are four-letter words used as expletives or verbal intensifiers.
3.A.28.
Rally
Continuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault.
Rally
Continuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault.
3.A.29.
Receiver
The player who is positioned diagonally opposite the server to return the serve. Depending on the team’s score, the player who returns the serve may not be the correct receiver.
Receiver
The player who is positioned diagonally opposite the server to return the serve. Depending on the team’s score, the player who returns the serve may not be the correct receiver.
3.A.30.
Replay
Any rally that is restarted for any reason without the awarding of a point or a change of server.
Replay
Any rally that is restarted for any reason without the awarding of a point or a change of server.
3.A.31.
Retirement
A player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent.
Retirement
A player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent.
3.A.32.
Right/Even Court
The service area on the right side of the court, when facing the net. The starting server in doubles or the singles server should be positioned on the right/even court when their score is even.
Right/Even Court
The service area on the right side of the court, when facing the net. The starting server in doubles or the singles server should be positioned on the right/even court when their score is even.
3.A.33.
Second Serve
In doubles, a term used to describe the condition when a serving team loses the first of its two allocated serves.
Second Serve
In doubles, a term used to describe the condition when a serving team loses the first of its two allocated serves.
3.A.34.
Second Server
In doubles, the first server’s partner. The second server serves after the first server loses serve.
Second Server
In doubles, the first server’s partner. The second server serves after the first server loses serve.
3.A.35.
Serve
The initial strike of the ball to start the rally.
Serve
The initial strike of the ball to start the rally.
3.A.36.
Server
The player who initiates a rally. Depending on the team’s score, it is possible that the player who serves may not be the correct server.
Server
The player who initiates a rally. Depending on the team’s score, it is possible that the player who serves may not be the correct server.
3.A.37.
Service Court
The area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ.
Service Court
The area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ.
3.A.38.
Serving Area
The area behind the baseline and on and between the imaginary extensions of the court centerline and each sideline.
Serving Area
The area behind the baseline and on and between the imaginary extensions of the court centerline and each sideline.
3.A.39.
Side Out
The awarding of the serve to the opposing team after a singles player or doubles team loses its serve.
Side Out
The awarding of the serve to the opposing team after a singles player or doubles team loses its serve.
3.A.40.
Starting Server
For each doubles team, the player designated to serve first at the start of the game. In doubles tournament play, the starting server shall wear a visible form of identification determined by the Tournament Director.
Starting Server
For each doubles team, the player designated to serve first at the start of the game. In doubles tournament play, the starting server shall wear a visible form of identification determined by the Tournament Director.
3.A.41.
Technical Foul
A referee's assessment of a behavioral violation that results in one point being removed from the score of the offending team, unless their score is zero, in which case a point shall be added to the score of the opposing side. A technical foul shall be issued if one technical warning has already been given and a second technical warning is warranted; or when warranted by a player’s or team's action, based on the referee’s judgement.
Technical Foul
A referee's assessment of a behavioral violation that results in one point being removed from the score of the offending team, unless their score is zero, in which case a point shall be added to the score of the opposing side. A technical foul shall be issued if one technical warning has already been given and a second technical warning is warranted; or when warranted by a player’s or team's action, based on the referee’s judgement.
3.A.42.
Technical Warning
A referee’s warning of a behavioral violation given to a player or team. Points are neither awarded nor deducted for a technical warning.
Technical Warning
A referee’s warning of a behavioral violation given to a player or team. Points are neither awarded nor deducted for a technical warning.
3.A.43.
Verbal Warning
A referee’s warning of a behavioral violation. A single verbal warning may be issued to each team once per match.
Verbal Warning
A referee’s warning of a behavioral violation. A single verbal warning may be issued to each team once per match.
3.A.44.
Volley
During a rally, a strike of the ball out of the air before the ball has bounced.
Volley
During a rally, a strike of the ball out of the air before the ball has bounced.
3.A.45.
Wheelchair Player
Any person, with or without a disability, who plays the game in a wheelchair. The wheelchair is considered part of the player’s body. This can be a player with a disability or anyone that wants to play in a wheelchair.
Wheelchair Player
Any person, with or without a disability, who plays the game in a wheelchair. The wheelchair is considered part of the player’s body. This can be a player with a disability or anyone that wants to play in a wheelchair.
3.A.46.
Withdrawl
A player/team’s request to be removed from any upcoming play in a specified bracket.
Withdrawl
A player/team’s request to be removed from any upcoming play in a specified bracket.
Pickleball Rule Sections
1. The Game2. Court And Equipment
3. Definitions
4. The Serve, Service Sequence, and Scoring Rules
5. Service and End Selection
6. Line Call Rules
7. Fault Rules
8. Dead Ball Rules
9. Non-Volley Zone Rules
10. Time-Out Rules
11. Other Rules
12. Sanctioned Tournament Policies
13. Tournament Management and Officiating
Previous Rules Section
Court And Equipment
Court And Equipment
Next Rules Section
The Serve, Service Sequence, and Scoring Rules
The Serve, Service Sequence, and Scoring Rules