RULES
GURU
We
& QA
Q . If a player steps outside of the sideline to attempt an Erne , is it a fault if their shoe contacts the support arm on a temporary net ?
A . The net post supports are part of most temporary net systems , and under Rule 7 . G , touching any part of the net system when the ball is “ live ” is a fault .
Q . At a recent tournament , I noticed that center court had a net with a substantial horizontal bar between the net posts . The bottom of the net was touching this bar , and a ball that rolled over the net hit the bottom of the net as it fell but it did not touch the bar itself . Should that result in a replay since the bar may have influenced the ability of a player to return the ball back over the net ?
A . A horizontal bar of any type can influence the flight of a ball that trickles over a net . Rule 11 . L . 5 . b . specifically says , “ If the ball goes over the net and hits the center base , or any part of the horizontal bar , or the ball gets caught between the net and the horizontal bar , a replay will be called .” It is “ fair ” to consider hitting the bar through the net as another way that ball flight may be impacted by a metal bar . Therefore , a replay would be in order .
Q . Does a ball have to bounce in the non-volley zone before a player enters the zone , or can the ball bounce anywhere in the court ?
A . It is a common misconception that the ball must first bounce in the NVZ before entering the NVZ . In fact , the ball can bounce anywhere on the court . Rules 9 . E through 9 . H are the appropriate references . Interestingly , the ball doesn ’ t even have to bounce . For example , Player A can be standing in the NVZ while their partner , Player B , volleys the ball from outside the NVZ . There are , of course , several restrictions with the NVZ related to volleying the ball . Those are provided in Rules 9 . B through 9 . D . •
By Bob Unetich
USA PICKLEBALL-CERTIFIED REFEREE
As we get closer to the new year , some readers have asked what rule changes are being considered by USA Pickleball for 2023 . The reality is that the process is very transparent these days and you may wish to find and read all the proposals for rule changes yourself .
USA Pickleball publishes a database on its web site called the New Rulebook Database or NRD . You can easily find it at
rules . usapickleball . org and it will provide you with the current status of the rule changes pending .
At this time , there are 78 proposed changes and the window for making comments on these proposed changes closed July 15 . During July , the Rules Committee reviewed the proposed rule changes and as of this writing they are making their way through the approval process .
The editing process is expected to be completed by Sept . 15 and the final recommended rule changes are forwarded to the USA Pickleball Board of Directors for final approval in October . Once again , the NRD is updated , and anyone can check the web pages to read the changes approved by the board .
Next , the Rulebook is edited and proofed and published by Dec . 1 . This provides players a month to become familiar with the changes that will happen on Jan . 1 . Revised Rulebooks are usually available within two weeks of the new year .