By Henry Vincent, Pickleball Leagues Vice President
Can you switch hands or hit it any way you want?
Rule: Yes, you can switch hands, hit behind your back, or even hit the ball off the handle of the paddle. As long as the paddle is legal and the ball is contacted below the navel on the serve, you’re good. (USAP Section 11.N and 11.O are in Section 11, Other Rules [paddle rules]).
What isn’t allowed? Throwing the paddle or intentionally carrying or catching the ball on the paddle. Pickleball allows creativity — but not tricks that stop the ball’s motion. (Double hit and carry fall under USAP Section 7 Faults [7.H–7.L]).
Line calls: Who has the final say?
Line calls are the responsibility of the team on that side of the court. If there is any doubt, the call must go in favor of the opponent. Players should never ask spectators, players on other courts, or partners on the opposite side to make line calls. (6.C.1: Players are responsible for calling lines on their end of the court.)
If partners disagree on a call, the point goes to the other team. Pickleball values honesty over advantage — and good sportsmanship keeps matches enjoyable for everyone. (6.C.8: If one partner calls out and the other calls in, doubt exists and the call is treated as in.)
Calling the score (yes, it matters)
Before every serve, the server must call the score clearly. Make sure you call the server’s score first and receiver’s score second, followed by the server number (1 or 2). Failing to call the score before the serve may result in a replay if the receiving team stops play immediately. (USAP 4.A.1 [Serve & Score]).
Can a player play on an ALTA pickleball team and a tennis team in the same season?
Yes. A player can play on a pickleball team and a tennis team in the same season if the player has current memberships for both pickleball and tennis and meets the tennis league’s requirements. (Pickleball General Rules I. Teams and Players, B.)
