RULES
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Q & A by BOB UNETICH
USA PICKLEBALL CERTIFIED REFEREE
’ d Like to Hear From You! Send your questions to rules @ pickleballmagazine. com.
I’ m going to play in my first tournament. How do I know if my paddle is legal?
Anyone playing in a USA Pickleball( USAP) sanctioned tournament must ensure that their paddle is USAP approved. This can be done by looking up the paddle on the USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List.
Before the match begins, the referee will ask players to confirm that their paddles are on this list [ Rule 2. F. 1.]. They will then inspect the paddles to make sure each one has the USAP decal or stamp of approval plus a manufacturer-provided and clearly marked brand and model name / number on the paddle [ Rule 2. E. 7.].
The referee will touch and visually inspect both sides of the paddle’ s hitting surface to ensure that the paddle does not contain delamination, holes, cracks, rough textures or indentations breaking the paddle skin or surface, or any objects or features allowing a player to impart excessive spin on the ball [ Rule 2. E. 2.].
Players often label their paddle faces with identifying information. This is acceptable, provided that any decal or tape does not extend inward more than a half-inch from the edge or 1 " above the paddle handle [ Rule 2. E. 5. b.]. Handwritten pen markings are permissible on the paddle’ s playing surface, provided they are for identification purposes only( name, signature, phone, email address), or an autograph [ Rule 2. E. 5. c.]. If a paddle is not on the approved list or has prohibited features, the player will have to use another paddle, which must be confirmed as approved and inspected for irregularities as described above. If the player insists on playing with an unapproved paddle, the player’ s match will be forfeited [ Rule 2. F. 1. a. 2.].
NOTE: Pro pickleball players at tournaments are required to have their paddles tested. These tests are designed to ensure that the integrity of each paddle has not deteriorated over the course of use.
On Dec. 27, 2024, USAP issued the following statement.
The following paddles have violated the new test standards and will be sunset on July 1, 2025, for sanctioned tournament play only:
· Joola: Perseus 14mm Mod TA-15
· Joola: Perseus 16mm Mod TA-15
· Gearbox: Pro Power Elongated
· ProKennex: Black Ace Ovation
· ProKennex: Black Ace Pro
· ProKennex: Black Ace LG *
· ProKennex: Black Ace LG XF
* Since the announcement, USA Pickleball has modified the above list to reinstate the model ProKennex Black Ace LG as“ Approved.”
You can read the details about paddle performance limits and the testing involved at usapickleball. org / equipment / paddle-certification-updates. As lab testing and tournament site testing evolves, this page will keep readers informed.
Paddle testing has become much more sophisticated, and to further improve the testing capabilities of new paddle models and paddles being used at tournaments, USA Pickleball recently hired Riley Burgess as the VP of equipment compliance.
This month’ s answer to the question about how referees check paddles at tournaments was provided by certified referees Nancy Kaplan and Joanna Korker. Every USA Pickleball credentialed referee needs to understand and apply the procedures that Nancy and Joanna explained. Paddle performance varies as new models are released, and having trained referees check every paddle in use at a tournament is just one more reason to have officials for every match when possible.
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