It's not unheard of, but it's been some time since we've seen a mid-year revision to the pickleball rulebook. Over the past few years, we've had a number of fairly significant rules changes, but it's still a huge surprize to see them happen mid-year like this.

What WAS the Rule?

For the first (roughly) half of 2023 and every year prior, players have always been responsible for ensuring they're the correct server, correct receiver, and/or in the correct position. If incorrect, a fault would be called on the offending player, and they'd lose the rally.

NEW CHANGE!

Players are no longer responsible for ensuring they're the correct server, receiver, or in the correct position.

Whoa, what?! Yep, you read that right. It's now up to the referee (or any player on the court), to call out if any player is the wrong server, wrong receiver, or in the wrong position. If someone stops play during a rally for an incorrect player/position error, the rally is replayed. If a player stops a rally for a player or position error, but is wrong, it's a fault on the player who stopped play.

Problems with how it WAS

The previous rules led to many interesting scenarios. As a referee, one of my most memorable “oops!” moments was when I was refereeing a Mixed Doubles 3.0 tournament match. The male player (let's call him John) was about to server. As the referee, I knew he was the incorrect server, but by rule, couldn't say anything unless a player asked. John served the ball. I stopped play and called a fault for an incorrect server. John, knowing that he was the incorrect server, then tossed the ball to his partner. I called the score, and she served. I then stopped play again, and called a fault for another incorrect server.

“Wait, why?”, you might ask. Well, John was not the correct server for the first rally. It was SUPPOSED to be his partner's serve, right? Wrong. As soon as he served, and the fault was called, it moved to “second serve”. John was supposed to have the second serve (not the first), and regardless of whether or not he incorrectly served for the first serve, he was STILL supposed to serve for the second serve. Confused yet?

Why I DON'T Like This Change (as a player)

As a rules nerd, I always liked the fact that the players were responsible for ensuring they were in the correct position. There are subtle advantages to be had if you know your opponent is wrong. For example, if it's the wrong server, and you know it, you can play the rally out. If you win, it stands. If you lose, you simply call a fault or let the referee know, and it will result in a fault on them. It's an interesting nuance, and getting rid of it feels like simplifying the game.

Why I DO Like This Change (as a referee)

The rules allow for a player to ask the referee “Am I good?”, or any other question to determine if they're the correct server, correct receiver, and/or in the correct position. So as a player, if I'm allowed to ask that question, and the penalty for NOT being the correct server, receiver, or in the correct position is the loss of a rally… then the best strategy is to just ask the ref “Am I good?” before EVERY SINGLE RALLY. You might think that that's awfully excessive, and I agree! But why risk it? The rules allow you to confirm you won't be faulted for a simple mistake. Why would you NOT take advantage of that?

So - if the players are allowed to ask whether they're in the correct position, server, receiver...etc, and the rules allow the referee to answer that question, then why not just make it the referee's responsibility to call out any errors? It keeps the above scenario from happening, where the referee has to answer the "Am I good?" question for the serving team and the receiving team between EVERY rally. You might think that would never happen, but I've had matches where I've answered that question 30 or more times. No, it wasn't every rally. But it definitely seemed excessive at the time. This rule change allows the players to focus on the game, and let the referee (or the player group as a whole) deal with positioning.

One Problem

While there are pros and cons to this rule change (I'm split on whether I like it or not), there is one problem that I see. As a player, if you think your opponent is out of position, you have two options. 1) stop the rally and tell them. 2) play out the rally.

In scenario 1, where you stop the rally, either you're correct, and it's a replay, or you're wrong, and it's a fault on you. So the strategy should always be to let the rally play out. It's not worth the risk if you happen to be wrong.

But what happens if your opponent is in an advantageous position? What if they're righty/lefty and have double forehand middle? Or if their power-server serves, even though it wasn't their turn? You have no great recourse. You could stop the rally, but what if you're wrong? You could let the rally play out, but what if you're right? You're stuck in a lose-lose situation.

When Does This Rule Take Effect?

August 14th, 2023! The USA Pickleball Board of Directors has approved this rule change, and it's already in effect!

Did USA Pickleball explain why they changed it?

Yes, they did provide a good deal of information in their public annoucement. Their main two reasons were that "a rule violation should not be a primary driver behind a point being awarded", and then also mentioned this rules change will cause "better streaming and television network coverage".

What do YOU think?

Join over 35,000 players and referees as we talk about the new rules on the Pickleball Rules Facebook Group! Which changes do you like? Which do you dislike, and why? Do you think they'll all pass the USA Pickleball Board vote? Did I miss anything? It's late. I'm tired - it's quite possible I skipped something. Let me know!

The Actual Changes

Replacement of of Rule 4.B.9. so it now reads:
The referee will confirm and correct, if necessary, that all players are in the correct position and the correct server has the ball before calling the score.

Addition of Rule 4.B.9.a.
If the referee or a player stops a rally in progress to correctly identify a player/position error, the rally shall be replayed. If a player stops a rally and incorrectly identifies a player/position error, it is a fault on the player who stopped the rally. If the referee stops a rally in progress and incorrectly identifies a player/position error, the rally shall be replayed.

Addition of Rule 4.B.9.b.
If a player/position error is identified after the rally has played out, the rally shall stand.

Deletion of Rule 4.B.10.
Incorrect Player or Position. When an incorrect server or player position is discovered after a rally, game, or match has ended, the offending team can be faulted until the next serve occurs or prior to the scoresheet being returned to the tournament operation's desk. A point scored during the rally by the offending team will not count. Any previous points scored by the incorrect server or with players in the incorrect positions will stand. After a match is completed, an incorrect player or position error may not be corrected after the scoresheet has been returned to tournament operations personnel.

Revised Rule 8.E. and 13.G.3.c., removing a few words that were no longer relevant, now that the above rules are in effect.

Deletion of Rules 4.M.1., 4.M.2., and 4.N.1. which are no longer relevant, now that the above rules are in effect.

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