Calling the ball “in” or “out” as accurately as possible is very important in pickleball. When you call lines honestly, you help to improve the integrity of this great sport.

It’s both your right and your responsibility to call the balls landing on your side of the court. Your opponents must call the balls on their side of the court. Even in refereed matches in professional tournaments, the players are responsible for making line calls. Spectators are not allowed to make line calls.

Here’s the golden rule for line calls: “If in doubt, you can’t call it out!” In other words, if you didn’t clearly see the ball land out of bounds, it’s considered in. You need to be able to clearly see space between the line and the ball in order to call it out.

If two partners disagree on a call, the ball is considered in. The benefit of the doubt should always go to your opponent. If you ask your opponents for their opinion, you must abide by it. However, if you’re so unclear that you’re asking for third and fourth opinions, it means enough doubt exists that you cannot call it out. (Remember the golden rule.)

If the ball lands on any line, it is in, except when the serve lands on the kitchen line. Because the kitchen line is technically part of the kitchen, the rule states that the serve must completely clear the kitchen, including the kitchen line.

You don’t need to audibly call the ball in while the ball is in play. Just keep on playing and don’t say anything. If it lands out, yell “out!” or signal that it was out by pointing your finger straight up in the air. Note: The index finger is preferred for “out” calls; the middle finger sends a completely different message.

Call the lines as promptly as possible, but not until the ball has actually bounced. Calling a ball before it bounces is considered player communication, rather than a line call, and you’ll want to choose different words so as not to cause confusion. It’s fine to call a ball out after you’ve already hit it, but be sure to call it before your opponents hit their next shot. It’s extremely poor form to say, “Hey, remember that shot from five minutes ago? That was actually out. Looks like I won after all!”