There are several situations that could arise on portable pickleball net systems that simply do not occur when playing on permanent nets. Without proper knowledge of these rules, you risk needlessly acquiescing points to your opponents for scenarios in which you’re uncertain about the official rules. Here are some of the scenarios that could happen on portable net systems.
1. You Make the Call!
Here’s the Scenario:
A game is being played on a portable net. The ball hits the horizontal bar, goes over the net and then bounces in the opponents court. The team hitting this shot wins the rally. What’s the call?
The correct call is…
FAULT! If the ball hits the horizontal bar or the center base before going over the net, it is a fault.
2. You Make the Call!
Here’s the Scenario:
A game is being played on a portable net. The ball goes over the net, hits the horizontal bar and bounces onto the court. What’s the call?
The correct call is…
STILL IN PLAY! If the ball goes over the net and then hits the horizontal bar, the ball is still in play.
UPDATE (EFFECTIVE 1/31/18): Beginning January 31, 2018, if the ball goes over the net and then hits the horizontal bar, it is a let and must be replayed.
3. You Make the Call!
Here’s the Scenario:
A game is being played on a portable net. The ball dribbles over the net and hits the center base making the next shot unreturnable. What’s the call?
The correct call is…
REPLAY THE POINT! If the ball goes over the net and then hits the center base… it is a let and must be replayed.
4. You Make the Call!
Here’s the Scenario:
A game is being played on a portable net. The ball dribbles over the net and gets caught between the net and the horizontal bar. What’s the call?
The correct call is…
REPLAY THE POINT! If the ball goes over the net and then gets caught between the net and the horizontal bar before touching the court, it is a let and must be replayed.
Shown below is Rule #12.J.5 that addresses these unique situations that may occur — albeit infrequently — on portable net systems. Be sure you know these rules so that you don’t needlessly give away a point — or replay a point — that should be yours!
International Federation of Pickleball — Official Tournament Rulebook
Rule #12.J.5:
When net systems have a horizontal bar that may include a center base: If the ball hits the horizontal bar or the center base before going over the net, it is a fault. If the ball goes over the net and then hits the horizontal bar, the ball is still in play. If the ball goes over the net and then hits the center base or the ball gets caught between the net and the horizontal bar before touching the court, it is a let and must be replayed. (added April 1, 2011)
UPDATE (EFFECTIVE 1/31/18): Rule #11.L.5. When net systems have a horizontal bar that includes a center base: If the ball hits the horizontal bar or the center base before going over the net, it is a fault. If the ball goes over the net and hits the center base or the horizontal bar or the ball gets caught between the net and the horizontal bar before touching the court, it is a let and will be replayed.
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Hi,
I have a question.
I step into the kitchen to take a ball on the bounce, then go outside the court (out of bounds) without stepping back inside the court and then play a volley. Will it be a fault?
Appreciate your response.
That’s A-OK… as long as both feet were established outside of the kitchen at the time of the volley. Here are additional FAQ’s that you may find helpful: https://www.pickleballmax.com/2015/09/pickleball-faqs-volleys-groundies-and-the-non-volley-zone/.
Great article once again Pickleballmax! Most of my readers are beginners and they are so eager to learn Pickleball. It’s now rainy season in my country and most of them are now playing indoors. This is a nice write up on the rules.
Thanks, Pierre, for your kind words!
Do the same rules apply to end posts as center posts?
A ball in play hits the end post but still went over the net. Fault or point?
Hi Peggy, I cover that exact scenario (ball hits the post and goes in) here: https://www.pickleballmax.com/2017/11/pickleball-hits-net-post/. Hope that helps!
Server hits the ball properly but momentum carries his back foot over the service line and he lands in the court. Is this a foot fault and can only his team call it?
It’s a legal serve (and no fault called) as long as the server’s feet did not touch the court (including the baseline) at point-of-contact on the serve. In tournament play, the call is made by the on-court referee. In rec play, anybody could theoretically call it — although my guess is, few will. Hope that helps!
I had a play where the ball hit the portable net “center vertical support” roll across the top of the net and landed in the opponents court. The opponent called it their point, because she said it was part of the portable net frame?? What I’ve been able to find on portable net rules is talking about the actual metal center “stand” or “ horizontal bar”. I guess the question is is the center stick that runs through the net “vertically” supporting the net center qualify as the “ net frame”? What’s the call? Fault or replay?
Hi Tami, The very small rod that, on portable net systems, goes from the center base to the top of the net is considered part of the net. Therefore, your shot is actually considered “good.” Play should continue. It would not be a fault, nor would you replay the point. Hope that helps!
How is it determined which team serves first in the second game?
Hi Serena, The team that did not serve first in the first game will serve first in the second game. Hope that helps!