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 ball hit by a player 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 return the ball before it bounces twice on the receiving player’s side of the net and failure of a player using a wheelchair 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 live.

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 a player’s hand is 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. The faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. More is on the player who was hit by the ball.

7.I. 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 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). The faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. More is on the player who stopped the ball. Exception: See Rule 4.B.9.a.

7.J. 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.

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 the ball entirely crosses the plane of the netThe imaginary vertical planes on all sides extending beyond the net system. More.

7.L. A player 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.

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. 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 an 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) is carried in a way that the ball(s) is not visible to their opponent(s) 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.