Updated Pickleball Rules — Major Rule Revisions Effective January 31, 2018
This post lists rule changes from prior years. To view the current year (2026) rule changes, please click here.
Shown below is the blog post about the 2018 pickleball rules and revisions that were made effective January 31, 2018.
Early last week — in an effort intended to clarify many of the pickleball rules — the USAPA Rules Committee published the 2018 USAPA\IFP Official Tournament Rulebook along with the 2018 Major Rulebook Revisions document, which specifically outlines the significant pickleball rule changes. These new rules go into effect January 31, 2018, and affect USAPA-sanctioned tournaments.
Where the USAPA Rules Committee Got it Right!
The USAPA Rules Committee got several things right when publishing the revised rulebook. With respect to the serve, they clarified the importance of waiting for the call of the score prior to the service motion in Rule # 4.A.1 and appropriately defined service motion in Rule # 4.A.2. That was badly needed.
I also liked the clarification in Rule # 5.A.3 which states that, in doubles, “the starting first server may be changed before the start of any game with notice given to the referee. ” That is, indeed, how we interpreted the rules previously, but it’s good to get official clarification and confirmation.
The Rules Committee should also be applauded for their clarification of Rule #11.L.5 for portable net systems which states in part, “… 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.” Previously, Rule # 12.J.5 stated that the ball was in play if the ball struck the horizontal bar after going over the net. This makes the ruling more consistent — and makes much more sense as there should be no difference in how the rule is applied with respect to the horizontal bar and the center base after the ball goes over the net.
Where the USAPA Rules Committee Got it Wrong!
Unfortunately, the USAPA Rules Committee didn’t get everything right, however. Previously, Rule # 4.F.3. stated that a serve that hits the net and then strikes the receiver or the receivers partner is a let. That’s how it should be. Inexplicably, however, Rule #4.A.9 now awards a point to the serving team for that instance in which the serve hits the nets and then strikes the receiver or receiver’s partner. Dumb! It should be a replay of the point. But, alas, it’s not.
Finally, while not in the 2018 Major Rulebook Revisions document, the USAPA Rules Committee slipped something into Section 3 — the Definitions section. Specifically, section 3.A.36 defines underhand (with respect to the serve) as “the player’s arm must be moving in a forward and upward arc with the palm turned upward or downward.” Palm turned upward or downward? Not sure what that means! What is the definition of upward? What about downward? This definition definitely needs further clarification — so as not to render most serves illegal. Perhaps the rules committee was attempting to clarify the legality of a backhand serve. It seems, however, they just added to the confusion of the serve!
Previous Rule Changes
The rules are changed and updated every year. See below for other rule changes:
- 2026 Rule Changes
- 2025 Rule Changes
- 2024 Rule Changes
- 2023 Rule Changes
- 2022 Rule Changes
- 2021 Rule Changes
- 2020 Rule Changes
- 2019 Rule Changes
For information on all of the Pickleball Rules, check out our complete guide.
Final Thoughts
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What Do You Think?
Did the USAPA Rules Committee get most things right? Did they help to clarify the rules? We would love to hear your thoughts! Please comment below and let us know what you think. See you on the courts!
11.L.5. What if the ball rolls over net and strikes crossbar through the net, i.e. Not the side where bar is exposed but through other side. Still a let? Thanks!
Yup, still a let.
In this rule can you define “backhand” for me? I’m right handed. My picture of backhand on a serve is having my right hand on my left side below my waist moving in a upward motion. or should backhand refer to the way the fingers are pointing? On my forehand serve my fingers point fore ward cause I’m serving on my right. If I gripped the paddle so my fingers are facing away from the net on my right side is that what you are calling backhand? What is a backhand serve?
If they want to do away with a back hand serve the rule should read ” a underhand serve on the side you are holding the paddle on”
Hi Bob, The official rule book has been updated (with an effective date of February 15, 2019) to clarify their intention of the serve — which I believe now answers your question. Rule # 4.A.5 now reads, “The server’s arm must be moving in an upward arc at the time the ball is struck and may be made with either a forehand or backhand motion (see Figure 4-3).” You can find the updated rule book and the 2019 rule revisions here: https://www.pickleballmax.com/pickleball-rules-2019/.
We have a gentleman who starts his serve with the paddle out as if he is hitting a baseball and then he brings it up and forward. This gives him many spin balls. Is this legal.
Hi Annette, Without seeing images or video of the serve it’s difficult to know. The following blog post should help explain the three criteria for a legal serve: https://www.pickleballmax.com/legal-illegal-pickleball-serve/. Hope it helps!
I heard that a new ruling on service hitting back line of NVZ is considered to be a good serve.
Is this true?
Hi Rick,
That’s incorrect. The ball must land beyond the NVZ line… hitting any part of the line would be a fault on the serve.
Hope this helps!
Can opponent loudly say “out” in doubles when ball is close but not out, then wants to play over instead of losing point?
Hi Virgil, the point should not be played over in this instance. The ball was in… therefore, you win the rally!!! Hope that helps!!!
I am unsure of the following rule. They still can have both feet behind the baseline, right? We were a little confused by the rule.
4.A.3. At the beginning of the serve, both feet must be behind the baseline. At the time the ball is struck, at least one foot must be on the playing surface or ground behind the baseline, and the server’s feet may not touch the playing surface in an area outside the confines of the serving area.
Hi Steven,
You are correct. Both feet can be behind the baseline when the ball is struck on the serve. The rule states that “at least one foot” must be behind the baseline when the ball is struck. Two feet removes all doubt! Hope that helps!
Can the receiving opponent’s partner call a fault on the serve to the outside line when he is standing on the other side of their court? We thought the receiver had to call the serve down that line and has the option to ask the serving team if needed.
Hi Nancy,
I’m going to refer you to Rule #6.D.6 and #6.D.7:
Hope that helps!
I love pickleball, but I think the rules for serving and scoring in doubles is needlessly complicated, confusing and archaic.
1.) The server #1 / server#2 system should be scrapped. This single rule causes endless delays because many forget who served last or “Am I or 2?” The serve should go to the other team when ONE player has completed his serving. As in Tennis. As in Ping Pong. As in Badminton. As in Squash. As in Volleyball.
2.) Non-serving team should be able to score (“rally points”). Again, all of the above 5 sports have rally points. It prevents the score from being locked needlessly. Makes the game length more consistent and predictable. And why not give credit for a winning shot? Might want to increase the winning score to 15 or 21.
3.) Lastly, The present rule allows a server to keep the serve for the entire game! I personally don’t like that – why should a server who has a really tough serve be allowed to dominate? I like the idea of forcing the change after a fixed number of serves, such as 2 as in Ping Pong, or 5 (old Ping Pong). Five is nice, because then it changes when the score is a multiple of 5. Makes it easier to keep track of the score.
I know these changes would be radical. But you would be doing the Pickleball world a huge favor if you were only to kill server #2 and eliminate most of the CONFUSION with one “fell swoop”.
Hi Mike,
I appreciate your comments and you taking the time to offer “suggestions.” Not sure how the hardcore pickleball players will feel about your ideas… Perhaps you’re on to something… My guess, however, is that there will be dissenters. Ha!
Thanks again for the feedback!
When is Play Over.
I have a question about when is the play considered over or dead? There was a player returning a volley from out of the kitchen, the opposing player missed it and the ball hit the ground. At that point after the ball was missed and hit the ground the player that hit the volley considered play to be over and then overstepped the line. He was called for being in the kitchen. What is the ruling? When is the ball dead?
Thank,
Art Klein
Hi Art, It is, indeed, a fault if the momentum from the volley forces that player to go into the kitchen — even if the ball bounces 2 or 3 or 4 times on the other side. That does not matter. Here is a post of FAQ’s I wrote that includes this scenario: https://www.pickleballmax.com/pickleball-faqs-volleys-groundies-and-the-non-volley-zone/. Hope this helps!
Is there any rule that can be cited to silence a doubles opponent who insists on calling the score after each rally (just before you or your partner are to call the score and serve)? I don’t think he does it intentionally, but it has been pointed out to him and yet he continues to do it. It can be very distracting to hear your opponent call the score a second or two before you were going to, in preparation for your serve. It is especially annoying if he calls only the first two numbers of the doubles score, thereby forcing you to repeat the score completely. It throws off my concentration badly. What can be done?
Hi Ken, In tournament play, according to Rule # 13.C.5.b, it is the referee’s responsibility to “call the score to start each rally. Calling the score indicates to each side that play is ready to resume.” Don’t believe there is a rule against what you’re referencing, however — especially in rec play. It certainly can be annoying to some… although helpful to others. Good luck!!!
In new rule 11.L.5:
If the ball hits the top of vertical support bar as it goes over the net, is it still in play? We read it two different ways. The top of the middle support bar sticks up (no matter how tight or straight up the net is)and is frequently hit as the ball sails over the net.
Also, if the ball hits the outer support posts and goes back in the court, is the ball in play?
Hi Laura, 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, if the ball hits it, it would, indeed, still be considered in play. With respect to the outer support posts, Rule #11.K addresses this where it says “… the net posts are positioned out of bounds. If a ball contacts the net post, it is a fault and a dead ball is declared.” Hope this helps!
Have they changed the rule on the ball being hit in a one motion is a fault. I mean when it sounds like it hit twice when using one forward movement? Where to get this information
Hi Shirl, There was no change to this rule. In the updated rulebook, Rule #11.A states: “Carry and Double Hits. Balls can be hit twice or carried, but this must occur during a continuous, single-direction stroke. If the stroke is not continuous or not in a single direction, the hit is not allowed and a fault will be declared.” Hope that helps.
I think the upward or downward palm issue is less important than the rule that “the player’s arm must be moving in a forward and upward arc“ which rarely happens with a backhand serve — at least in my experience with the players I know — mainly males. They also serve forehand sidearm, but no matter how many times they are told they are hitting the ball above their navel and the paddle is cocked above their wrist they do not believe it. All serves should be underhand and the arm should be moving as stated above, forward and upward arc. I say this also as someone who refs and it’s really hard to see if the serve is legal sidearm or backhand, although some are extremely obvious.
Thank you, Barbara, for your perspective. Much appreciated!
IMHO, palm down means palm facing the ground and palm up means facing the sky. Indoors, of course, that’s different!
During the past year, I’ve been serving with side spin, that is, my palm is facing the sideline. According to this rule change, that serve is no longer legal.
Hi Don, Thanks so much for your comment and thoughts about the “palm turned upward or downward” verbiage addition to the Rulebook. I wouldn’t abandon your serve quite yet. I have a feeling it was added simply to clarify the legality of the backhand serve. I expect some further clarification soon. See you on the courts!
The January/February issue of usapa’s magazine makes some comments about major revisions in the rulebook. On Page 48 (or p 51 of online version) there is a note saying that the old rulebook was silent with regard to the palm, but that the language was added “…was to clarify that a backhand serve is legal”.
In my view, the 1/31/18 rule would have been better stated that the palm may face in any direction. Few backhand serves will be performed with a downward palm – it will almost certainly point toward their own hips or knee, but not toward their feet.
Thanks, Gary. I appreciate that feedback and information. See you on the courts!
In your reference above to section 3 (3,A.36) arm moving forward and upward with palms either facing upward or downward you are probably correct in saying that the rules committee was trying to legalize the backhand serve. The tendency, physically, of the bh serve is to rake your arm sideways across the body, thereby creating significant sidespin. Seems one solution to that scenario would be to put the bounce serve into effect, therefore forcing everyone to serve with an upward motion whether forehand or backhand, and still be able to put spin on the ball. Since aces are not common anyway, it would be easier for low level players to serve better.
Thank you so much for your comments, J.M. See you on the courts!