You Make the Call!
Here’s the Scenario:
The ball is in the air. Your partner yells “out.” The ball lands in. However, your opponents stop playing because of the “out” call. What’s the call?
This scenario plays out seemingly all the time on the pickleball courts. Luckily it is explicitly addressed in the pickleball rulebook where it states that calling the ball out before it bounces is considered partner communication. Therefore, the ball can still be played if it lands in.
Yelling “out” after the ball bounces, on the other hand, is considered a line call that ends the rally. In this case, the “out” call was made before it bounced. Therefore, the rally continues. If your opponents claim “hindrance” and a replay of the point, direct them to Rule #6.D.11 in the 2019 International Federation of Pickleball Official Tournament Rulebook.
2019 International Federation of Pickleball — Official Tournament Rulebook
Rule #6.D.11:
While the ball is in the air, if a player yells “out,” “no,” “bounce it,” or any other words to communicate to his or her partner that the ball may be out, it shall be considered player communication only and not considered a line call.
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I have a question related to this. Person playing the ball yells “out”at the bounce. Then realizes it was not. Yells ” no it’s good ” returns the ball. Other team stops.
Is what that person did a distraction? Was not communicating to partner. More like hoping difficult ball was going to be out. Same person had already been calling balls out and partner over ruling the calls earlier.
Or is it the team that stopped playing when ball called out,but then played?
Thank you,
Hi Ed, Great question. This scenario is clarified in Rule #6.D.12.: “If an “out” call is made after the ball bounces, it will be considered a line call. The ball will be considered dead and play shall stop.” Hope that helps!