Here’s ALTA’s answers to your burning pickleball questions
By Greg McAfee, Pickleball League Vice President
What happens when the serve hits the net and goes over?
In pickleball, a “let” serve occurs when the ball hits the net during the serve and lands in the correct service court. This is a legal serve and the point continues. If the let serve lands out of bounds or in the non-volley zone, it is considered a fault.
The service box includes the centerline, the baseline, and the sideline. But it does not include the kitchen line. Also, if it lands outside the service box of your opponent, then it would be a fault just like it would be if you had not hit the net.
If the serve hits the kitchen or the kitchen line, this is a fault. It does not matter if the ball hits the net or not. The serve cannot land in the kitchen or hit the kitchen line.
What is the home team captain’s responsibility other than filling out the scorecard and reporting the scores?
The home team captain is responsible for contacting the captain at least four days prior to the match. The home team will provide the following information:
- The number of courts available (minimum is two)
- Whether courts are indoor or outdoor
- Type and color of balls being used. (The visiting team may wear any colors regardless of the ball color.)
Who can call an illegal serve, and what is the penalty?
An illegal serve is a serve using an illegal service motion. This does not pertain to a service ball that does not land in the service area or a foot fault. Those two errors are considered a fault. If the receiving team determines that the service motion was clearly illegal, the receiving team may call for a replay before the return of serve. Server will have two attempts to correct the serve motion. If the third service attempt is called illegal, it will result in a fault.
Does it matter what I wear for an ALTA pickleball match?
While a pickle costume may restrict your movement for play, it’s completely acceptable for ALTA league play! 🙂
ALTA Pickleball Rules, Section IV. Dual Meets.
- There is no restriction regarding the color of clothing players may wear.
