Pickleball Hit Between Net & Net Post

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

Here’s the Scenario. You Make the Call.

On a shot pulled wide, your opponent – while attempting a highlight reel, around-the-post shot – hits the ball thru the opening between the net and the net post with the ball ultimately landing in the back corner of your court for an apparent “winner.” The ball did not touch the net post or any of the supporting cords of the net system. Legal? Who wins the rally?

Without giving it too much thought, you would likely high-five and congratulate your opponent for a spectacular shot. However, if you had an eagle-eye for the flight path of the ball (it was hit between the net and net post) and also had a firm grasp of the rulebook, you would actually call a fault on your opponent. Let’s go to the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook for clarification:

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook

Rule #13.D

Ball Between Net and Net Post. A ball must not be hit between the net and the net post.

Rule #13.D.1

Fault – Ball Between Net and Net Post. When a player hits the ball between the net and the net post, it is a fault against the player.

To summarize, the pickleball can, indeed, go around the net post. However, it cannot go between the net and the net post.

The Pickleball Net & Net Post Specifications

Unfortunately, hitting the pickleball between the net and the net post likely wouldn’t have happened if the net and net posts had been properly installed.

From the image shown, it does appear that there is excessive space between the sideline of the court and each respective net post – creating the confusion in the first place. The net posts should be set 22 feet from the inside of one post to the inside of the other post (with a net that is at least 21 feet 9 inches in length. Since the pickleball court is 20 feet from sideline to sideline, the post should be 1 foot from each sideline. Obviously, that was not the case in this situation.

Let’s once again go to the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook for official net and net post specifications:

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook

Rule #3.B

Net Specifications. The requirements for the net and related elements are set forth in Rules 3.B.1 through 3.B.7.

Rule #3.B.2

Posts. Net posts should be 22 feet +/- 1.0 inches (6.71 m) from the inside of one post to the inside of the other post. The maximum diameter of the net posts should be 3 inches (7.62 cm).

Rule #3.B.3

Size. The net length should be at least 21 feet 9 inches (6.63 m), extending from one post to the other.

Because the net posts were not properly installed to the tune of 22 feet from post-to-post, ultimate blame falls on the improper installation of posts. Nevertheless, a ball that goes between the net and net post is still considered a fault.

Related Articles

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

• Ball is Called Out Before it Bounces and Lands In
• Ball Comes Back Over the Net
• Ball Hits You
• Ball Ricochets Off the Net Post
• Pickleball Faults
• You Call Ball Out, Partner Calls It In

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

Final Thoughts

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