RULES
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By Bob Unetich
USA PICKLEBALL-CERTIFIED REFEREE
Rule Changes for 2022
Here is a summary of the most important changes in the 2022 USA Pickleball Rulebook , approved by USA Pickleball .
THE SERVE
Spin Serves
In 2022 , a player can spin the ball before striking it on the serve , but only the non-paddle hand can contact the ball before the ball is hit . This eliminates the “ COVID ” serve and the “ Chain Saw ” serve .
The Drop Serve The drop serve remains a permitted option . No changes were made to the drop serve other than to remove its Provisional status .
UNUSUAL COURT SITUATIONS
Wrong Score Called
The rules concerning what happens if the wrong score is called by a player or a referee have changed . After a wrong score has been called , a player can stop play to ask for a correction , BEFORE the ball is served . If it has been served , THE RALLY IS TO BE PLAYED OUT and the score correction ( if any ) is made after the rally ends .
A Dropped Ball
In non-officiated matches , it is not uncommon for a player to carry an extra ball . If an extra ball is carried , it must not be visible to the opponent . If , however , a player accidentally drops an extra ball during a rally , it will result in a fault .
Medical Time-Outs Called by a Referee
If a referee , in the interest of player safety , determines that either medical personnel or the Tournament Director should be consulted for a player health issue , that time-out is not chargeable to the player as a medical time-out . The player retains the right to call a medical time-out later in the match , if needed .
Verbal Warnings
A referee may now issue verbal warnings for more than just profanity . Any situation that could result in a Technical Warning may instead be addressed by the referee as a verbal warning . There is still only one verbal warning per team per match , no matter what the subject is . For example , if a verbal warning is issued for profanity and then later in the match a player from that team exhibits unsportsmanlike conduct , a second verbal warning is not available for that team .
Calling the Score After a 15-Second Warning
Instead of a referee calling the score immediately after the 15-second warning expires , the referee will call the score after the players are ready , or should be ready .
When a Technical Warning or Foul Can be Called Referees are empowered to issue “ Technicals ” for various reasons , but it has been unclear exactly when a Technical should be announced . The 2022 rules now make it clear that a referee should not stop a rally to call a Technical on an offending team . Any Technical Warnings or Fouls will be assessed after the rally ends .
Earbuds While some sports allow coaching during active play , pickleball does not . Since it is possible that a player could receive coaching via earbuds , beginning in 2022 , earbuds will not be permitted with the exception of hearing aids .
Tournament Score for a Retirement
The score to be recorded for a player or team electing to “ retire ” from a match has been revised to allow the actual scores of the match to be recorded . Forfeits are , however , still recorded as 11-0 , 11-0 in 2-outof-3 formats or 15-0 in games to 15 . A team retiring may play additional matches in the bracket if any are warranted . •
Contributing to this review of rule changes were Rules Committee Chairman Mark Peifer and Rules Committee member Ken Schoonover .