Carrying an Extra Ball in Your Pocket When Playing pickleball? A-OK? Fault?

This post has been updated in 2026 according to the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook (2026).

Here’s the Scenario. You Make the Call.

It’s a question that is routinely asked in pickleball rules forums. Is one allowed to carry an extra ball when playing pickleball? And, if legal, what happens if that extra ball falls to the playing surface during the rally?

Although it may be convenient to carry an extra ball when playing, doing so does entail some inherent risk if the ball is not secure. Not only does one risk losing the rally if the ball falls to the playing surface during the rally (see USA Pickleball Official Rulebook citation below), but you also risk injury if you happen to sustain a fall and land awkwardly on that ball.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook

Here is the applicable rule that addresses carrying an extra ball in non-officiated tournament play and what happens should the ball fall to the playing surface during a rally.

Rule #24.B

Extra Ball. An extra ball carried by a player during a rally must not be visible to the opponent and must remain in possession of the player.

Rule #24.B.1

Fault – Extra Ball Visible or Ball Falls. When an extra ball carried by a player is visible to an opponent or falls to the playing surface while the ball is live, it is a fault against the player.

Related Articles

For more information on Miscellaneous Rules, check out the articles below:

• Around the Post
• Ball Hit Between Net & Net Post
• Hitting the Ball Twice
• Pickleball Faults
• Player Jumps Over Net

For information on all of the Pickleball Rules, check out our complete guide.

Final Thoughts

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See you on the courts.