Referee Corner

This month we ask Margot Tredinnick (Level 4 Pickleball referee, PA National Assistant Head Official & Noosa Pickleball Club member)

📍 “It’s IN unless it’s OUT” Let's talk about Line Calls!

💬 We hear complaints about line calls during social and league play. Follow these simple guidelines and everyone will be happy!

🎾 A ball contacting the playing surface completely outside the court is OUT. However, you MUST clearly see a space between the line and the ball when it lands. If you can’t see this space then the ball is IN.

⚖️Code of Ethics for Line Calling
When making line calls, players must strive for accuracy and operate under the principle that all questionable calls must be resolved in favor of the opponent. The opponent gets the benefit of the doubt on line calls made. Any ball that cannot be promptly called “out” must be considered “in.”

📣 Players must promptly signal an “OUT” ball audibly by voice, visibly by a hand signal, or both.

✋ An “OUT” call results in a dead ball and play must stop. If a player returns the ball, their “OUT” call must be made before the ball is hit by the opponent or before the ball becomes dead, otherwise play continues.

💬 While the ball is in the air, any communication (such as “out” or “no”) between partners about where the ball might land is not a line call, simply partner communication.

🤝 In Doubles if partners disagree on whether the ball is in or out then conflict or doubt exists and the team’s call will be “IN”

🙋 If you request the opponents or the referee’s opinion then you give away your right to make the call.

🚫 Spectators MUST NOT be consulted on any call, so if you didn’t see it, it’s IN!

"What re the updated rules regarding the serve?"

There are two types of serves allowed in Pickleball.

Rules common to both serves are:

Once the Score is called, Server has 10 seconds to serve, Failure to do so is a Fault
Server’s Feet shall not touch the outside extension of sideline or centreline
The server must be GROUNDED with at least one foot in contact with the correct serving area (behind the baseline) when the ball is struck
The Server must release the ball using only one hand or only the paddle
The Server CANNOT visibly spin the ball, prior to Paddle contact. (Some natural rotation of the ball is expected during any release of the ball.) A Replay may be called by the Receiver who determines that the Server has imparted manipulation or spin during the release of the ball, but only before returning the serve
The Server’s release of the ball must be visible to the receiver.A Replay may be called by the Receiver who cannot see the release of the ball, but only before the return of serve.

Volley Serve

Paddle must be moving in a CLEAR upward arc …when the paddle contacts the ball
Highest point of paddle head must CLEARLY not be above highest part of Server’s wrist …when the paddle contacts the ball
Ball must CLEARLY be no higher than the Server’s waist …when the paddle contacts the ball

Drop Serve

The server must release the ball, or drop it off the Paddle face, from any un-aided height and hit the ball after it bounces (1 or more bounces allowed) anywhere on the court.
The ball shall not be propelled downward or tossed or hit upward.
The ball may be struck forehand or backhand without any other restriction (such as applies to the volley serve).

Some common Server Faults

Server uses an illegal serve
Server hits ball whilst score is being called
Ball touches a permanent object before it hits ground
Ball touches the Server or their Partner
Ball lands in the NVZ
Ball lands outside the correct Service Court
Server or Partner calls time out, after serve has occurred
Returned ball does not bounce before struck (2nd bounce Rule)