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REF questions and answers
As I’ m about to serve, the receiver’ s partner( standing just behind the non-volley zone) moves quickly toward the center line. The movement is subtle but enough to throw off my concentration and cause me to miss serving into the box. Is this legal?
A Actions by an opponent that appear distracting do not always rise to the level of a distraction fault, which by rule can only be determined and enforced by a referee.
When making that determination, a referee considers two factors. First, is there a physical action by a player that is not common to the game? Second, does this action interfere with the opponent’ s concentration or ability to hit the ball?
Examples of distractions are stomping feet, voicing loud noises and waving arms or paddle... but only if they occur when an opponent is attempting to hit the ball.
So, in your scenario, the action of the receiver’ s partner occurs when you are attempting to serve the ball. That satisfies one of the criteria for distraction. However, a player adjusting position on the court is certainly common to the game.
No rule requires players to be still when an opponent is serving, so moving toward the center line is perfectly legal, even if that movement bothers you. Blatant movement intended to distract would be a different story.
In non-officiated games, the only faults you can call on your opponent are non-volley zone or service foot faults. If you believe your opponent is guilty of a distraction fault, you can mention it at the conclusion of the rally, but you have no enforcement authority.
According to Rule 9. B. 4 of the 2026 USA Pickleball Rulebook,“ the final decision on fault resolution belongs to the player that allegedly committed the fault.”
Q Q by GLENN JORDAN
Glenn Jordan was a sportswriter for 38 years and is a senior pickleball pro and USA Pickleball L2 referee. Send your rule questions to rules @ pickleballmagazine. com.
When teammates both swing at a ball and their paddles clash, does that violate the rule prohibiting two players from hitting the ball?
A No. While Rule 10. D. 2 says that a fault occurs when both a player and their partner strike the ball when attempting to return it, such a scenario is exceedingly rare.
Much more common is when two paddles connect, or clash, and only one makes actual contact with the ball. That is not a fault, unless the shot is a volley and either of the players is in violation of non-volley zone restrictions.
This latter scenario is where the phrase“ two becomes one” applies, and the non-volleying player could be called for a non-volley zone infraction despite their paddle never actually touching the ball. The“ two” refers to players rather than paddles.
After stretching for a shot, my partner accidentally dropped her paddle. I handed it back to her and the rally continued. After it was over, our opponents said that’ s a fault. Seriously?
A Yes. Rule 12. A states that a player must not use or carry more than one paddle during a rally. So, when you picked up your partner’ s paddle while still holding your own, you committed a fault. •
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