Each year, USA Pickleball amends and updates its rulebook. It might seem a tad annoying but in the history of sport, this does tend to happen and the way I see it, the official rule book is not so far off from the sport itself - a work in progress and always evolving.
So, a belated Happy New Year to you all, may 2023 give you all the pickleball court time you desire, and, before you take that leap onto the court, here are the must-know rule changes to our game.
Goodbye, Spin Serve
By now, videos have been made mourning the loss of the innovative “spin serve”, because it’s no longer a legal way to start a rally.
The first time I saw a serve with topspin was at one of the US Opens, by Morgan Evans but it was pro player Zane Navratil who revolutionized the spin serve by spinning the ball by using his paddle, then when that was banned, he began flicking the ball between his fingers to create spin.
All of that to say, USA Pickleball has said “no means no” and players can no longer spin the ball as it releases from the hand.
4.A.5. The Volley Serve. The server shall use only one hand to release the ball to perform the serve. While some natural rotation of the ball is expected during any release of the ball from the hand, the server shall not impart manipulation or spin on the release of the ball immediately prior to the serve. The server's release of the ball must be visible to the referee and the receiver. If the referee determines that manipulation or spin has been imparted, or the release of the ball is not visible, the referee shall call for a reserve.
In matches without a referee, the server's release of the ball must be visible to the receiver. The server shall not impart manipulation or spin on the release of the ball immediately prior to the serve. If the receiver determines that manipulation or spin has been imparted, or the release of the ball is not visible, the receiver shall call for a reserve immediately after the serve occurs. Exception: A player who has the use of only one hand may use their hand or paddle to release the ball to perform the serve.
Equipment Time-Out
Have you ever been competing and your paddle breaks? Always bring 2 paddles to a tournament with you and bring your bag to each court, in case one breaks. In the past, teams could call an “equipment timeout” and receive 2 minutes to fix whatever is malfunctioning.
Thankfully, I’ve not had to call this type of timeout, however, the new rule is that teams no longer need to burn a valuable timeout and can take a reasonable amount of time.
10.D.Equipment Time-Outs. Players are expected to keep all apparel and equipment in good playable condition. If the referee determines that an equipment change or adjustment is necessary for fair and safe continuation of the match, the referee may award an equipment time-out of reasonable duration. Rule 10.A.5 will be used to continue play. In non- officiated matches, players will work out a reasonable accommodation among themselves for equipment malfunctions.
10.D.1. Apparel and equipment adjustments that can be accomplished quickly are allowed between rallies (e.g., tying shoelaces, cleaning glasses, adjusting hat).
The Wrong Score
USA Pickleball hit the reverse button on this rule change from 2022. To quickly explain, before 2022 if the wrong score was called by the server or referee, then any player can stop the rally at any time before the return of serve to correct the score.
So, last year the amendment was that if the wrong score is called, play on until the rally completely ends to rectify the situation. In 2023, the rule reverts back to the original way.
4.K. Wrong Score Called. If the wrong score is called, the referee or any player may stop play before the return of serve to correct the score. The rally shall be replayed with the correct score called. After the return of serve, play shall continue to the end of the rally and the score correction made before the next serve. After the return of serve, a player who stops play to identify or ask for a score correction will have committed a fault and shall lose the rally. A player who stops play at any time to identify or ask for a score correction when the score was correctly called will have committed a fault and shall lose the rally.
Don’t Blend In
Quite simply, don’t wear clothing that’s a similar colour to the ball you’re using. It's a distraction, k?
2.G.1. Safety and Distraction. A player may be required to change apparel that is inappropriate, including that which approximates the color of the ball.
And take an even closer look at 2.G, the tournament director can actually enforce an outfit change.
2.G.4. Violation. The Tournament Director has the authority to enforce apparel changes. If the Tournament Director enforces an apparel change, it will be a non- chargeable time-out. If the player refuses to comply with the apparel rules, the Tournament Director may declare a forfeit of the match.
There are a couple of additional (yet slight) amendments. USA Pickleball actually includes a page of changes at the start, so that you don’t have to go searching for each one.
The rulebook is roughly 75 pages long and as dry as it might seem to get through the entire thing, it’s worth a thorough read at least once.
There’s nothing quite like being called out for something you’ve done (or not done) in the middle of a match but have no clue whether the other team is right or wrong and - just a reminder - that if you are unsure, you can always request to speak with the tournament director, it will just cost a timeout.
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