Certified Pickleball Referee Andrea Mayorga answers your trickiest rule questions! With over six years of experience — including officiating at USAP Nationals and the BallPark Series — Andrea is here to keep you sharp, informed, and ready for anything on the court! For more information, check out the Official Rule Book – USA Pickleball

Q. Can a receiver of a serve return the ball outside the net when the ball is served wide or must the ball come over the net in returning a serve? 
– Manivone Morrison

A. 11.M Shots Around the Net Post – A player may return the ball around the outside of the net post.
   11.M.1 The ball does not need to travel back over the net.
   11.M.2 There is no restriction on the height of the return, meaning the player may return the ball around the net post below the height of the net. 

Q. When serving, if the ball hits the net and lands in the appropriate court is it a let? – Doug Avery

A. 6.A A served ball that clears the non-volley zone and its lines and lands in the correct service court is in. Any other ball in play that lands in the court or touches any court line is in. (Therefore it is a good serve = play on)

Exception – If you are a Pro with the PPA, let serves are replayed

Have a technical pickleball question (or a rules mystery that keeps sparking court debates)? Email skye@playtimescheduler.com and your question might be featured in an upcoming edition of “Ask A Ref”!