Every Year, pickleball players are given an opportunity to submit suggestions for rule changes to the USA Pickleball Association. 2023 is no exception, 92 suggestions had been made by USAPA members back in May and the public was able to make comments on the proposed rule changes until May 31st, 2023.
The USA Pickleball Rules Committee met in June to review the proposed rule changes and viewed all the public comments made. The Rules Committee voted on the proposed rules changes by approving the proposed changes as it was submitted, approved the proposed change with amendments or disapproved the proposed change. The Rules Committee also documented the reasons for their actions and amendments by August 15th, 2023 publicly.
The next step in the Rule change process was to forward all the results of the Rules Committee to the USA Board of Directors for final approval before September 31st, 2023 and is now posted in the New Rulebook Database or NRD.
The new Rulebook will be published by December 1st on the USA Pickleball website so the public can become familiar with the rule changes before the effective date or January 1st 2024.
If you are thinking about changing a rule and you are a USAPA member, you are encouraged to propose any changes to the rules at rules.usapickleball.org/entry.
Rule Change Process
The window to make changes to the Rules of Pickleball is now OPEN for 2024 Rule Changes. USAPA members can submit a proposed rule change until May 15th, 2024. If you want a voice in any proposed changes for 2024 rules, the deadline for submitting public comments on proposed rule changes is May 31st, 2024. A tracking number will be assigned to each proposed rule change received and interested parties can follow or track a particular proposed rule through the process.
Significant Current Year Proposed Changes
Simplifying the Volley Serving Rule
Existing Rule # 4.A.7 : USAP Rules Committee Vote: Failed Rule Change ID: 1057
A proposed change was to make the volley serve illegal and the drop serve as the only option for a legal serve. The reasoning behind the suggested change was from a practical standpoint, the drop serve eliminates all the variables a volley serve may violate- paddle head position, contact with ball above the waist, and the upward arc movement of the servers’ arm.
Allowing Coaching
Existing Rule #13.G.1.j. : USAP Rules Committee Vote: Passed with Modification
Pickleball took a note from tennis and has passed this rule with modifications. The Rules Committee rationale states that there are prescribed conditions and restrictions, such as coaching between rallies must not affect the flow of play – not to delay the start of the next rally, in other words. Players must identify one person to serve as their designated coach, pinpoint their location to their opponents and the referee. Coaches need to be positioned outside the playing surface, unless their is a coach’s box – approved by the Tournament Director, and shall not be allowed to enter the playing surface at any time during the match. The rationale behind this change is that coaching can assist with growing skills and enhancing physical and mental capabilities.
Rally Scoring
Existing Rule #4.F Scoring. : USAP Rules Committee Vote: Passed with Modification
Rally scoring works well for singles play. Traditional scoring has singles players or doubles team scoring points only when serving. A singles player scores a point for winning a rally whether serving or receiving. Optional consideration includes rally scoring for doubles – a team scores a point for winning a rally whether serving or receiving. Penalty scoring – a point will be awarded to a singles player or doubles team when a technical foul is assessed against the opposing side and their score is 0. The reasoning behind the change is rally scoring allows a point to be awarded for every rally played, significantly reducing the the number of side outs that can be experienced in a singles game, eliminate monotony, and conserve energy for singles players playing in multiple events.
Cracked or Broken Ball
Existing Rule #11.E. Cracked or Broken Ball. : USAP Rules Committee Vote: Passed
If any player suspects the ball is or becomes broken, cracked, degraded, or soft after the serve, play must continue until the end of the rally. The current rule only mentions cracked or broken – new rule includes degraded or soft.
Changes to the Non-Volley Zone size to 8 feet
Existing Rule #2.B.3. Non-Volley Zone (NVZ). : USAP Rules Committee Vote: Failed
The proposed change wanted to see the area of the court size of the non-volley zone (“the kitchen”) changed from the current size of 7 feet to 8 feet. The logic here for the proposed change was pickleball’s evolution and higher level athletes with height and reach advantage. The Rules Committee comments reflected the negative impact of play dynamics and the complete change of the game as we know it today.
Mini Singles
Existing Rule #12.A. Mini-Singles as Sanctioned Event Category: USAP Rules Committee Vote: Passed
The addition of mini singles in late 2022 as a sanctioned event is now being made official in 2024. New Rule 12.L Mini Singles play, revised existing rule 2B.5 – Centerline. The line down the center of the court on either side of the net extending from the NVZ to the baseline separating the odd and even service courts – centerline shall also extend through the NVZ.
Challenging a Correct Score Call
Existing Rule #4.K Challenging a Correct Score Call : USAP Rules Committee Vote: Passed with Modification
The original ruling states 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. The reasoning behind the change is to clarify that a fault for challenging a correctly called score does not apply before the serve has been hit. By saying “who stops play at any time” the last sentence applies any time after the score call starts. Challenging the correctness of the score before the serve is essentially the same as asking for confirmation of the score, which is allowed before the serve is hit.
For more changes, modifications or any rule change suggestions please visit: USA Pickleball Association.
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