THE PICKLEBALL GURU
The
Pickleball Guru
RULES Q AND A
In this column, Prem Carnot, The Pickleball Guru, shines the light of clarity on many
confusing scenarios that can happen in the world of pickleball. His answers are drawn from
the USAPA/IFP Referee Handbook & IFP Official Tournament Rulebook. You can submit your
questions to [email protected] for consideration in an upcoming column.
Dear Prem,
Last week I was playing in a pick-up game
and a ball was popped up on my side and
bounced very close to the net. When I went
to hit the ball, my opponent rushed the
net and put her paddle up on her side of
the net which made it impossible for me to
follow through without hitting her. I called
a hindrance and asked to replay the point.
What is the rule here?
Hindered in Hilton Head
Dear Hindered,
How annoying for you! Assuming that
she was actually trying to interfere with
your shot, that doesn’t sound like very good
sportsmanship and it’s too bad that some
people take that approach to the game.
In regard to your argument, technically,
the only use of the word “hindrance” in the
Official Tournament Rulebook refers to
physical impediments on/around the court,
so next time call it a distraction instead of a
hindrance.
If her intention was simply to prepare to
hit her return, rather than to distract you,
then she may be in the right, since her paddle
WAS on her own side of the net.
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In a tournament setting, if the ref decides
that a distraction has occurred, it shall result
in the loss of the rally or point awarded to the
other team, depending on who was serving.
However, the rules of a tournament don’t
necessarily apply to recreational play since
there is no official referee with the authority
to make these kinds of calls.
My advice is to just be the bigger person
and let it go. Remember, it’s “only” pickleball
and you’re most likely there to have fun, get
exercise and socialize. Don’t let one irksome
person keep you from having a great day.
That said, if she was so close to the net that
you couldn’t follow through without hitting
her, then she was probably standing right in
the no-volley zone. Being civil and playing
smart pickleball doesn’t mean you shouldn’t
take advantage of the rules. Next time, give
the ball a friendly swat in her direction and
you’ll win the point
because she won’t be
allowed to hit it out of
the air while she’s in the
non-volley zone.
Warmly,
Prem Carnot
The Pickleball Guru
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Prem Carnot
FROM THE IFP OFFICIAL
TOURNAMENT RULEBOOK
12.H. Distractions. Players
may not yell, stamp their feet,
or otherwise try to distract an
opponent when the opponent
is about to play the ball. A
player, or anything the player
is wearing or carrying, may not
cross the plane of the net (or
the extension of the net beyond
the posts) except when striking
the ball. Note: In Doubles,
team communication shall
not normally be considered
a distraction. However, loud
communication at the time
the opponent is about to strike
the ball may be considered a
distraction. If, in the judgment
of the referee, a distraction
has occurred, it shall result in
the loss of the rally. (Revised
January 15, 2013)