USA Pickleball has a well-documented process for rule revisions, publishing a new rulebook each calendar year. Steps 8 and 9 of that process indicate that the rulebook is proofed and published on the USA Pickleball website by December 1 so players can become familiar with the rule changes before the effective date of January 1, 2023.
As of December 6, the 2022 rulebook is the published version on the USA pickleball website but by evaluating the NRD (National Rulebook Database), we’ve learned what rule changes are to come in 2023.
Below are the changes with an amateur’s interpretation of the updates.
The Players Section on Page 1 – Guidance on clothing color.
Added to the Players Section was a bullet point stating: Players avoid wearing clothing that closely matches the ball color.
This clarifies that a Tournament Director can choose to request apparel changes due to the clothing matching the ball color. It also suggests to players that they should not intentionally choose clothing that is the same color as the tournament ball. Expect debates over whether this means shorts, shirts, wrist bands, hats or socks.
2.G.1 – Clothing as a distraction.
The addition of rule 2.G.1 reiterates the new bullet point added in the Players Section of the rulebook. A tournament director can request a player change apparel if it closely matches the ball color. It also suggests to players that they should not intentionally choose clothing that is the same color as the tournament ball.
There is not a punitive result for wearing clothes that match the ball, unless the player doesn’t have an extra shirt or shorts in their bag, then everyone is punished.
2.G.4 – Time-outs for apparel changes.
The update to rule 2.G.4. adds the type of time-out charged detail.
New Rule Text
The Tournament Director has the authority to enforce apparel changes. If the Tournament Director enforces an apparel change, it will be a non-chargeable timeout. If the player refuses to comply with the apparel rules, the Tournament Director may declare a forfeit of the match.
Change your clothes, no time-out needed.
3.A.34 and 4.A.5.a – Serve definition.
New Rule Text
Serve – The initial strike of the ball with the paddle to start the rally.
The server’s arm must be moving in an upward arc at the time the ball is struck with the paddle and may be made with either a forehand or backhand motion.
Adding the words with the paddle adds clarity to the serve definition.
4.A.4.c – Service foot fault wording.
Rule 4.A.4.c was updated to include the word court.
New Rule Text
Neither of the server’s feet may touch the court outside the imaginary extensions of the sideline or centerline.
Imaginary extensions are challenging enough, adding the word court helps us understand where those imaginary lines exist.
4.A.5 – Eliminating the spin serve.
New Rule Text
The Volley 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.
Additional rules were added in an attempt to effectively eliminate manipulation (spinning) of the ball prior to the serve. The punishment for manipulating the ball prior to the serve is a reserve and must be determined immediately after the serve (not when it bounces). If the rules committee worked for the NBA, dunking would be eliminated because, well, not everyone can dunk.
4.A.6 – Replay instead of fault for service motion violation.
New Rule Text
Replay or Fault In officiated matches, the referee may call for a replay if the referee is not certain that one or more of the requirements of Rules 4.A.5.a through 4.A.5.f are met. The replay must be called before the return of serve. The referee shall call a fault if they are certain that one or more of the requirements of Rules 4.A.5.a through 4.A.5.f are not met. In non-officiated matches, if the receiver determines that manipulation or spin has been imparted prior to the serve, or the release of the ball is not visible, the receiver may call for a replay before the return of serve.
The addition of rule 4.A.6 essentially says if you, or a referee, thinks rule 4.A.5.f has been broken and noticed/indicated before the return of serve, a replay can be called. Replays will quickly become the standard with the way the 2023 rules have been written.
4.A.6.b – Drop Serve – no propelling down, tossing up, or spinning the ball.
New Rule Text
The ball shall not be propelled (thrown) downward or tossed or hit upward with the paddle. The ball may not be spun during its release.
Additional rules were added for clarification of the drop serve. A drop serve can not be bounced and it can not be manipulated (no spin added).
4.B.8, 4.B.9 – Questions about service sequence and player positions.
New Rule Text
Before the serve occurs, any player may ask the referee who is the correct server or correct receiver or whether any player is in an incorrect position. A generic question such as “Am I good?” may be asked and shall be considered to encapsulate both the correct server question and the correct position question if asked by the serving team.
For non-officiated play, a player may ask the opponent the same questions and the opponent shall respond with the appropriate information.
A player who is holding the ball asks the referee, “Am I good?” The referee can tell the player if they are not the correct server or are in the wrong position.
Examples
- A player stops play after the incorrect opponent partner returned the ball. No fault is applied for stopping play before the ball was dead because the player who returned the ball was the incorrect receiver.
- A player stops play claiming the incorrect opponent partner returned the ball. A fault is called against the player who stopped play if the correct player returned the ball.
This update includes asking an opponent if they are in the correct serving position in non-officiated games. The opponent must respond with the appropriate information.
4.K – Wrong score called.
Rule 4K was updated to include the detail of stopping play after the return of serve because the wrong score is called will result in a fault. Correct the score on the next serve. If the wrong score is called and noticed before the return of serve, the correction can be made by the referee (or any player) and restarted.
Play it out and correct it on the next serve if the ball has been returned. Stop, correct and restart if the service return has not happened.
6.D.5 – Questioning an opponent’s call.
This rule was updated to include not commenting on an opponent’s call. 6.D.5. A player should not question nor comment on an opponent’s call, although any player may appeal a call to the referee before the next serve occurs.
It is our opinion that this rule is the least likely to be applied in non-competition events.
6.D.8 – Line call editorial change.
Original Rule Text
All “out” calls must be made “promptly”; otherwise, the ball is presumed to still be in play. “Promptly” is defined as calling “out” prior to the ball being hit by the opponent or before the ball becomes dead.
New Rule Text
All “out” calls must be made prior to the ball being hit by the opponent or before the ball becomes dead. Otherwise, the ball is presumed to still be in play.
Apparently the word promptly has allowed players to create their own rules so it has been eliminated from the rule.
7.D – Ambiguous wording.
Original Rule Text
A player hitting a ball that first lands out of bounds or onto their own side of the court.
New Rule Text
A player hitting a ball that subsequently lands out of bounds or onto their own side of the court.
Rule 7D was updated by changing the word first to subsequently.
7.H and 7.I – Player hit by ball.
Updates to Rule 7H and 7I are to attribute the fault to a specific player.
7.H. After the serve, the ball contacts a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying, except the paddle or the player’s hand(s) in contact with the paddle and below the wrist. If the player is in the process of changing hands with both hands on the paddle or is attempting a two-handed stroke and either hand is hit below the wrist, as long as the player’s hand(s) are in contact with the paddle, the ball is still in play. The fault is on the player who was hit by the ball.
7.I. A live ball that is stopped by a player before it becomes dead. (e.g., catching or stopping a ball in flight before it makes contact with the playing surface.) The fault is on the player who stopped the ball.
We aren’t sure why it matters who the fault is on but clarification can’t hurt.
10.D – Equipment time-outs.
Detail was added for consistency, providing how to handle timeouts needed for equipment malfunctions.
Basically, if something breaks a team time-out isn’t needed to fix it.
11.E. – Degraded but not cracked ball.
The addition of the words degraded and soft were added to Rule 11E.
If someone thinks a ball needs replaced they can make the appeal before the serve occurs. The referee will inspect and replace the ball if both teams agree or cracks are noticed. In a non-officiated match, if both teams agree a ball may be replaced if the appeal is made before the serve occurs. If a ball is defective after the serve, play must continue. If a referee believes the condition of the ball impacted play he can call for a replay, as can players in non-officiated play. A ball being soft is not up for an appeal that will result in a replay.
Great, more replays.
11.H. – Items on the court.
New Rule Text
Items on the Court. If any item a player is/was wearing or carrying lands on their end of the court, unless the item lands in the non-volley zone as a result of a volley, the ball remains in play even if it hits the item.
Players switch ends, not sides, so rule 11.H was updated to say end, rather than side. Oddly, it’s a side out, not an end out, when a team wins a rally from the serving team.
12.C.3 – Round robin tie-breaking rule clarification.
Details to the approved tournament scoring options were added.
Rules for tournament directors who make their own rules for the tours they direct.
12.F.6.a – Forfeit game scores for 3/5 matches.
Rule 12.F.6.a provides the scoring detail should a team forfeit a best of 5 game.
3/5 Format: 11-0, 11-0, 11-0
More rules for tournament directors who make their own rules for the tours they direct.
12.F.7.a – Scoring guidelines for 3/5 match remaining matches.
This rule simply includes the scoring guideline for best 3 of 5 match format.
3 out of 5 Format: 0-0, 0-0, 0-0
More rules for tournament directors who make their own rules for the tours they direct.
13D.1.b and c – Clarification of player line and fault call responsibilities in non-officiated play.
The update of this rule is minor, there are additional bullet points added for clarification. As this is in regards to non-officiated matches, the big takeaway is if you don’t think you made a fault and your partner does, you are correct. If your opponent thinks you faulted and you don’t, replay the point.
More replays.
