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REF questions and answers
In tournament play, without a referee, an opponent kept calling the score during his serving motion. Occasionally, the third number came as he hit the ball. There was even a“ 6-4- 1 [ hits serve ] … I mean 2!” Isn’ t that a fault? As a receiver, how should I handle this?
A Yes, according to Rule 6. C. 1 of the USA Pickleball 2026 Official Rulebook,“ when the server hits the serve while the score is being called, it is a fault against the server.”
Now, absent a referee, players can’ t enforce such faults, per Rule 9. B. 4. Any perceived fault other than a non-volley zone fault or a service foot fault may be pointed out to your opponent( after the rally’ s end). But the final decision on fault resolution belongs to the player allegedly at fault.
If you’ re feeling rushed, hold your paddle aloft, hold your non-paddle hand above your head or completely turn your back to the net. Any of those show you are not ready.
If the server hits the ball before calling the full correct score, catch the ball and request a re-serve, asking that the score be called in its entirety before serving.
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.
Q
by GLENN JORDAN
My friend has a tendency, while at the kitchen line and facing bangers, to duck below high drives, smile at his opponents and call the balls out. He does this without ever turning to see the ball land. Are the rules on his side?
A No. Rule 8. E addresses Line Call Certainty and declares that“ players must not call a ball‘ out’ unless they can clearly see a space between the line and the ball when it lands.”
Even if your friend is confident his opponent’ s drive sailed beyond the baseline, he is not justified in calling it out unless he saw it touch the ground / fence / wall behind the baseline.
Of course, the opponents have a responsibility to call faults on themselves or their partners, per Rule 9. B. 2, and hitting a ball that lands out of bounds is a fault.
Q
Late in a close game of a recent league match, an opponent’ s shot landed close to the sideline. I called it out. My partner, who was scrambling to potentially make a play on the ball, said she wasn’ t sure. The opposing team claimed they should win the rally because we did not agree on the call. They were loud and insistent, and argued it was“ the rule” that partner disagreement means opponents win the rally. Were they correct?
A They were not correct. Rule 8. A addresses Line Calling Responsibility and says that for doubles, either or both partners may make a line call.
Your opponents may have been thinking about Rule 8. D, which states that“ all questionable calls must be resolved in favor of the opponent.”
Your partner’ s inability to make a call does not make your call questionable. You clearly saw the ball out and made a valid line call. There was no disagreement to resolve.
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