You Call it “Out,” Your Partner Calls it “In” — Replay the Pickleball Point? What’s the Call?
This post has been updated in 2026 according to the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook (2026).
Here’s the Scenario. You Make the Call.
The ball lands close to the line. You call the ball “out.” Your partner calls the ball “in.” Replay the point? What’s the call?
It happens all the time. Your pickleball nemesis hits a shot that lands really close to the line. You clearly saw the ball “out.” Or maybe — just maybe — you were hoping that the ball would be out. However, your partner calls it “in.” What do you do? Overrule your partner and take the point? Certainly a tempting option. Replay the point? Seems logical. Give the benefit of the doubt to your opponents? Yikes — after all, it is your nemesis.
It has been my experience that many will inappropriately replay the point. In this scenario, however, the point should not be replayed. Rather, the benefit of the doubt should be given to your opponents. So, in this case, grit your teeth and give the benefit of the doubt to your nemesis — and hope and pray they’ll do the same for you!
USA Pickleball Official Rulebook
Rule #8.D
Code of Ethics for Line Calling. When making line calls, players must strive for accuracy and operate under the principle that all questionable calls must be resolved in favor of the opponent. The opponent gets the benefit of the doubt on line calls made. Any ball that cannot be promptly called “out” must be considered “in.”
Rule #9.B.3.c
Disagreement Between Partners. Any disagreement between partners on a fault call will be decided to the benefit of their opponents.
Related Articles
For more information on Miscellaneous Rules, check out the articles below:
- Ball is Called Out Before it Bounces
- Ball Comes Back Over the Net
- Ball Hit Between Net & Net Post
- Ball Hits You
- Ball Ricochets Off the Net Post
- Pickleball Faults
For information on all of the Pickleball Rules, check out our complete guide.
Final Thoughts
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A related question:
Your opponent serves ball to you, you return the serve because you think it’s in but your partner calls the serve long. The other team does not return the ball, stopping playing, because they heard your partner’s out call. Who gets the point? Is there a replay?
Hi Jason, According to the rules, there would be no replay in this instance. If your partner called the ball “out,” but you thought the ball was “in,” then the rally would be awarded to your opponents since they stopped playing at your partner’s “out” call. Because you “disagreed” with your partner, doubt exists and the benefit of the doubt goes to the opponent. Hope that helps.
Your opponent serves ball to you, you return the serve but your playing partner calls the serve long or out of bounds. Does play continue ?
Hi Sam,
The serve would be considered out as long as the call is made “instantly.”
Hope that helps!