SECTION 7 – FAULT RULES

A fault (and resulting dead ball) will be declared for the following:

7.A.        If the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. More or service return does not bounce before the ball is struck.

7.B.        Hitting the ball into the player’s side of the net without the ball crossing over to
the opponent’s side. Note: The ball is dead and the faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. More occurs the moment the ball hits
the ground.

7.C.        Hitting the ball under the net or between the net and the net post.

7.D.        A player hitting a ball that first lands outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More of bounds or onto their own side of the courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More.

7.E.         Failure of a standing player to hit the ball before it bounces twice on the receiving player’s courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More and failure of a wheelchair playerAny person, with or without a disability, who plays the game in a wheelchair. The wheelchair is considered part of the player’s body. This can be a player with a disability or anyone that wants to play in a wheelchair. More to return a ball before it bounces three times.

7.F.         Violation of Section 4, Section 9 and Section 11 rules.

7.G.        A player, a player’s apparelA paddle listed as Pass on the USAPA/IFP Approved Paddle List without penalty. More, or a player’s paddle contacting the net system, the net postsAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More, or the opponent’s courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More, when the ball is in playThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score. More.

7.H.      After the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. More, the ball contacts a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying, except the paddle or the player’s hand(s) in contact with the paddle and below the wrist. If the player is in the process of changing hands with both hands on the paddle or is attempting a two-handed stroke and either hand is hit below the wrist, as longA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More as the player’s hands are in contact with the paddle, the ball is still in playThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score. More.

7.I.        A live ballThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score. More that is stopped by a player before it becomes dead. (e.g., catching or stopping a ball in flight before it makes contact with the playing surfaceThe court and the area surrounding the court designated for playing.   [quads id=10] More.)

7.J.      New: After the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. More, a ball contacting any permanent objectAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More before bouncing on the
courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More.

Reason: This small change clarifies that after the score had been called (the ball is
“live”) but before the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. More occurs, if the ball happened to slip outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More of the server’s hand
and rolled and touched a permanent objectAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More, such as a bleacher or fence, this is not a
faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. More as longA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More as the serverThe player who initiates a rally. Depending on the team’s score, it is possible that the player who serves may not be the correct server. More served within the 10-second count.

Old: A ball in playThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score. More contacting any permanent objectAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More before bouncing on the courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More.

7.K.      Once the ball is in playThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score. More, a player hitting the ball before it passes the plane of the netThe imaginary vertical planes on all sides extending beyond the net system. More.

7.L.    New: A player deliberately carrying or catching the ball on the paddle while performing
the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. More or during a rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. More.

Reason: The unintended consequence in 2021 for allowing a player to “sling” the ball
on the paddle face allowed for tremendous spin to be applied to the ball on the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. More.
This change simply puts the rule back to previous years of how the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. More was to be
performed. This rule eliminates the colloquial ‘Covid serve’ and the ‘Chainsaw serve’.
The change also allows for a player to “balance” a ball on their paddle before, during or
after the score call as longA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More as they don’t sling the ball off the paddle face to perform the
serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. More.

Old: After the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. More, a player deliberately carrying or catching the ball on the
paddle while the ball is live/in-play.

7.M.     A hinderAny transient element or occurrence not caused by a player that adversely impacts play, not including permanent objects. Examples include, but are not limited to, balls, flying insects, foreign material, players or officials on another court that, in the opinion of the referee, impacted a player’s ability to make a play on the ball. More called by a player that is determined by the refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More to be invalid.

7.N.    New Rule: In non-officiated matches, players may carryHitting the ball in such a way that it does not bounce away from the paddle but is carried along on the face of the paddle. More additional pickleball(s) as longA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More
as the ball(s) are carried in a way that the ball(s) are not visible to their opponent during
play. If an additional ball that a player was carrying falls on the playing surfaceThe court and the area surrounding the court designated for playing.   [quads id=10] More during
play, a faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. More shall be declared.

Reason and Intent: The intent of this rule is to allow players to carryHitting the ball in such a way that it does not bounce away from the paddle but is carried along on the face of the paddle. More balls on their
person in non-officiated matches with some limitations. Many times, carrying an extra
ball is more efficient if the ball in playThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score. More has been hit beyond the playing area. While this
rule allows for the carrying of an extra ball (or balls), the rule should not be used as a
“get outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More of jail free” card as listed in Scenario C below. While the rule allows for extra
balls to be carried, it applies a faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. More if the ball falls on the courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More during play. This rule is
only for non-officiated matches because referees are responsible for removing any extra
balls from the courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More for officiated matches. In matches with a referee, any dropped ball
will result in a referee correction and replayAny rally that is restarted for any reason without the awarding of a point or a change of server. More. This rule pertains specifically to pickleballs
only. If anything other than a pickleball falls from a player’s person, the normal rules
governing these conditions shall apply.

Scenario A: In a non-officiated match, a player is carrying an extra ball in their pocket.
During a rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. More, the ball falls outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More of their pocket but lands outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More of bounds. The opponents
claim a distractionPhysical actions by a player that are ‘not common to the game’ that, in the judgment of the referee, may interfere with the opponent’s ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to, making loud noises, stomping feet, waving the paddle in a distracting manner or otherwise interfering with the opponent’s concentration or ability to... More faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. More but the player who dropped the ball states that since the ball
landed outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More of bounds and not on the actual courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More, it is not a faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. More. The opponents are
correct that a distractionPhysical actions by a player that are ‘not common to the game’ that, in the judgment of the referee, may interfere with the opponent’s ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to, making loud noises, stomping feet, waving the paddle in a distracting manner or otherwise interfering with the opponent’s concentration or ability to... More faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. More has occurred.

Scenario B: During a rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. More, a ball falls outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More of a player’s pocket and lands outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More of bounds.
The opponents claim a distractionPhysical actions by a player that are ‘not common to the game’ that, in the judgment of the referee, may interfere with the opponent’s ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to, making loud noises, stomping feet, waving the paddle in a distracting manner or otherwise interfering with the opponent’s concentration or ability to... More faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. More has occurred. The refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More calls a “referee
correction” and calls for a replayAny rally that is restarted for any reason without the awarding of a point or a change of server. More. In this scenario, the refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More should have ensured that
all other balls were removed from play, even if the refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More didn’t notice the extra ball
prior to the start of the game.

Scenario C: The refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More does not notice that a player is carrying an extra ball. During
a live rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. More, the opponents are about to hit a hard shot to potentially end the rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. More. The
referee then notices that a player deliberately reaches in their pocket and takes outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More a
ball and lets it fall on the ground just prior to the opponents hitting their shot. The
opponent’s shot is a winner, but the player who dropped the ball claims that this is a
“referee correction” and a replayAny rally that is restarted for any reason without the awarding of a point or a change of server. More should occur. The refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More determines that the player
deliberately removed the ball and dropped it in an effort to cause a replayAny rally that is restarted for any reason without the awarding of a point or a change of server. More and prevent
the loss of the rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. More. (A) The refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More denies the request for a replayAny rally that is restarted for any reason without the awarding of a point or a change of server. More and calls a
distractionPhysical actions by a player that are ‘not common to the game’ that, in the judgment of the referee, may interfere with the opponent’s ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to, making loud noises, stomping feet, waving the paddle in a distracting manner or otherwise interfering with the opponent’s concentration or ability to... More faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. More on the player who dropped the ball; or, (B) The refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More denies the
request and lets the rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. More stand and issues a verbal or technical warningA referee’s first verbal warning of a rule or behavioral violation given to a player or team prior to a technical foul being issued. Points are not awarded for a technical warning. More for
unsportsmanlike conduct.