RULES
GURU
We
Q
Q . I have noticed that many tournaments have adopted “ Pool Play ” instead of the usual Double Elimination format , which seems to be an effort to provide all players with more than two matches , but why are there so many different scoring options ? I ’ ve seen best two of three but also single games to 11 , 15 and 21 . Why is there no standard format ?
A Two challenges every tournament director ( TD ) faces are player satisfaction and court availability . If the pools are large , players must play many matches to get into the playoffs . If the TD simply divides the teams into more pools , the time required by the playoff will increase . A TD must look at the number of courts available and total number of matches that a single bracket will play , and then decide on game scoring and the playoff format that will fit within tournament capacity .
Section 12 . C . of the Rulebook describes all the permitted formats for sanctioned tournaments , and you will find that there are numerous options available . by BOB UNETICH
USA PICKLEBALL CERTIFIED REFEREE
’ d Like to Hear From You ! Send your questions to rules @ pickleballmagazine . com .
Q . It now seems to be standard practice for referees to check paddles before a match begins or when a new paddle is brought onto the court , but how is a ref to decide if a paddle meets the requirements in rule 2 . E . 2 . Surface , which says a paddle cannot have , among other things , a “ rough texture ”? Is that decision up to a ref ’ s opinion about what texture is too “ rough ”?
A A referee is obliged to check paddles by looking at and feeling the surfaces to determine if they have been altered or damaged , including holes , dents and foreign substances , but the actual surface roughness limit is set by the Equipment Standards Manual published by USA Pickleball . That document calls for surface roughness to be measured in two ways , using a specified “ Surface Roughness Tester ” and doing a defined “ kinetic coefficient of friction ” test and it establishes limits for each test .
The job for a ref then is to determine whether the paddle being checked is on the USA Pickleball Approved list and to be sure that it has not been modified or damaged . Many referees now have a copy of the Approved list on their phones , but they can also use other means of determining whether a model is tournament approved . •
What Rule Changes Will 2025 Bring ?
There were 133 rule changes suggested by USA Pickleball members before the May 15 deadline , and comments on those suggestions were due by the end of May . The Rules Committee had until Aug . 15 to consider all 133 suggestions and forward their recommendations to the Board of Directors by Sept . 15 . The board will review and affirm or decline the Rules Committee ’ s recommended actions . All approved rule changes will be published in the 2025 Official Rulebook by Nov . 1 .
This is a very transparent process , and you can read the committee ’ s recommendations in the USA Pickleball website ’ s New Rulebook Database by going to usapickleball . org and searching NRD .
If the above schedule is met , the board-approved rule changes will be reviewed in detail right here in the November / December issue of Pickleball Magazine . •
18 TO SUBSCRIBE , CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO PICKLEBALLMAGAZINE . COM