The Official Rules For Line Calls In Pickleball

Read a brief article on the official rules for line calls in Pickleball to get some help and assistance as a newbie.

Pickleball is all fun and games unless you start playing it professionally. However, it is liked by many because it is not physically excruciating like other sports. If you are a new player who seems to develop an interest in the game like me, you can dig into the article below to look for some rules. These will help you increase your knowledge and improve the game.

I played the game for at least three months before breaking down the rules for line calls in Pickleball for you all. These are simple yet important to help you maintain the winning streak. Please read all the calling rules carefully before stepping onto the court. The information will help you have a competitive advantage over others in the game.

The Official Rules For Line Calls In Pickleball

If you are new to Pickleball, you should know some basic rules that will help improve the game and win against the opponents. Knowledge of the official rules is crucial for staying in the game and having a competitive advantage. I have been playing the game for two months and can break down the line call rules for all the newbies. Hence, the rules can be beneficial in the long run.

1. Serve Should Always Land In The Serving Court

The first and the most fundamental rule the entry-level player might know is that the serve should always land in the serving court. A ball entering the non-volley zone or the Kitchen is called “serve out.” You can hit anywhere on the centerline, sideline, or baseline as it will be considered as “serve in.” Hence, this is a basic rule that should be kept in mind if you serve.

2. Players Are Held Responsible For Calling Lines

The players on the court are held responsible for calling pickleball lines when standing on their side. All the players in the game have the right to review the decision or get a second opinion. The referee gives a second opinion to know if the ball is out or would get accepted.

3. Opponents Who Are Not Serving Will Get An Advantage

When going through the rules for line calls in Pickleball, the opponents who are not serving are always at an advantage. They benefit from the doubt because every team has to be treated equally in the game. Appeals are made before the serving team makes their next shot.

However, the pickleball ball can be observed when lined out. In pickleball doubles, one team can call out and wait for the referee to respond. If the ball were out, the opponent team would have an advantage.

Pickleball Rules

The following rules will help you when stepping on the pickleball court. You all might know that the court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide. In this 20 feet, the 7 feet is dedicated as the “Kitchen” or the non-volley zone. The ball or the player cannot enter the Kitchen or the non-volley area. Now that you know when playing on the court, let’s dig into some pickleball line rules.

1. Begin With A Serve

This game can be played as a single player or in a team of two players. Whatever the case, the game will start from the team standing on either of the sides. The player on the right side will start serving, and the ball is hit diagonally. It has to be ensured that the ball does not fall into the Kitchen on your side of the court.

2. Position Of The Hand

The second and most important thing that can help you win points is to monitor the position of your hands. Keeping the hand below the waist area is mandatory when hitting the stroke. The arm must move upwards so that you move the ball out of the air. Some players drop the ball onto the court and hit it when it rises to their waist.

3. Serve Continues Until A Fault

If either team is serving, it continues until a fault is committed. The service is changed from one team to another after a fault. Most of the time, a serving player commits three types of faults. He might hit the ball into the pickleball net, or it might go beyond the baseline. Lastly, there are chances that the ball lands in the non-volley zone or the Kitchen area. All these will commit a fault, and the service will be transferred to another team.

4. Not Allowed To Stand In Kitchen

Any player cannot hit the ball or serve while standing in the non-volley zone. The players are not to step onto the line of the Kitchen. It is impermissible to enter that 7 feet when hitting the ball. This rule is great for gaining points against opponents. I used to hit the ball near the opponent’s Kitchen, so they had to cross the line, committing a fault.

5. Ball Must Bounce On Court

The ball must bounce on the court before the opposite team hits it back at you. This can be extremely difficult if you play pickleball singles, as one player cannot cover 20 feet of the court. However, the other members can cover near the baseline if you play as a team. I faced many issues when I started to play the game as a newbie because of this rule.

Frequently Asked Question

Can You Cross The Kitchen Line In Pickleball?

Yes, you can cross the Kitchen line in Pickleball if you are not serving. It is allowed to stand in the non-volley zone except for the time you serve.

What Is Not Allowed In Pickleball?

You cannot hit the ball when your hand is above the waistline. Moreover, you cannot stand in the Kitchen while making a shot.

Can Momentum Carry You Into The Kitchen?

Yes, momentum can unconsciously carry you into the Kitchen, which should be avoided at all costs. Even if you are not serving, stay out of the non-volley zone.

Is The Line In Or Out In Pickleball?

In pickleball, when a ball lands on a boundary line, is it considered “in” or “out” according to official rules? When there is a clear difference between the ball and the boundary line, it is considered “out.” On the other hand, when a ball touches any line except the kitchen or non-volley zone, it is considered “in.”

What Happens If You Hit An Out Ball In Pickleball?

The ball is still in the game, as you have to let it bounce first. Saying “out” after the ball touches the court line will be considered as “out.” You can’t hit the ball without letting it bounce once.

Is The Kitchen Line In Or Out In Pickleball?

The kitchen line is considered as “Out” in pickleball. You can’t hit the kitchen or non-volley zone line while serving. You can’t hit the volley without letting it bounce first. All other pickleball court lines of the service area are considered as “In.”

Conclusion

A brief article explaining Pickleball’s official rules for line calls is written for your guidance as a newbie. These rules can help you improve and have an advantage over competitors. You need to practice while keeping these basic rules in mind before stepping onto the court for the game. I hope the article explains some essential rules that will be handy during your next match.

 

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