Mid-Year Rule Changes!

In August, the USA Pickleball Board of Directors identified the need to revise several playing rules. One change relates to available pro bracket formats and has no impact on amateur play. A more universal change involves player position errors (including server/receiver errors) and is something that all of us should understand and apply to both tournament and recreational play when referees are utilized.

I asked USA Pickleball for more insight into the changes and here’s what they provided:

The USA Pickleball Board of Directors recently approved several rule change recommendations to take effect for both professional and amateur players immediately.

Due to several factors, including an instant positive impact on quality of play during the remainder of the 2023 amateur tournaments, as well as uniformity between the USA Pickleball Rulebook and the amateur and pro matches, these rule revisions were approved for a mid-year implementation rather than delaying changes until 2024.

The most prominent change is that the referee will confirm—and correct, if necessary—that all players are in the correct position and the correct server has the ball before calling the score. Previously, when an incorrect player struck the ball, or a player served from an incorrect position, the referee would immediately stop play and identify the fault.

Here is a brief Q&A about these rule changes:

Q: Why are these new rules being implemented?

A: USA Pickleball believes that a player position mistake should not be a primary driver behind a point being awarded. The board concluded that it is better for the sport and the flow of play for a competitive rally to take place, with the point or server change or side-out being awarded to the individual or team with the winning shot.

Q: How will these rule changes affect the spectator experience of the pro sport?

A: These rules will result in better streaming and television network coverage, which in turn will lead to an enhanced spectator experience. Pickleball is emerging as an increasingly popular spectator sport, but every time a player asks about positioning, it detracts from the momentum of the game and excitement of the televised rallies. Video production networks suggested that such situations be avoided.

Q: How does this affect referees and the way they officiate the game?

A: One of the primary goals of USA Pickleball credentialed referees is for players to leave the court feeling that, win or lose, the match was played fairly and they had a positive experience overall. USA Pickleball believes these rule changes will help accomplish this.

You can find the full list of mid-year rule revisions and more information at usapickleball.org/news/mid-year-revisions-to-the-2023-usa-pickleball-rulebook.  •