Think you’ve seen it all on the courts? So has our Certified Referee, Andrea Mayorga. From oddball rule misunderstandings to heated debates over line calls, she’s our go-to for official answers. Brush up anytime with the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook.

Q. This happened a while back in a rec game. An opponent hit a lob close to my side of the net but outside the kitchen. As I was about to smash an overhead, they yelled "OH NO!" — it startled me and I missed the shot. I’ve read it’s okay for teammates to communicate, but in this case, if it were a tournament match, what would be the ruling? Maybe a warning first, then a point or side-out? Thanks! – Brian

A. Distractions – Players shall not distract an opponent when the opponent is about to play the ball. If in the judgement of the referee a player has distracted their opponent, the referee shall immediately call a fault on the offending team. 3.A.7– Distractions – Physical actions by a player that are "not common to the game” that, in the judgement of the referee, interfere with the opponents ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to: making loud noises, stomping feet, and waving the paddle in a distraction manner. (Timing of the distraction would have to occur almost at the same time as the player hitting the ball).

Q. If I want to try to defend an ATP (around the post), and my opponent across from me is pulled out wide and about to pull it off — am I, as the opposing team, allowed to run toward the ball too? Either to defend more easily or to cause confusion for the opponent? I'm assuming I cannot cross the plane of the net. – Cameron

A. Running toward the opponent may not be the best idea, as they could either hit you with the ball, or send a low shot right by you. To me, it seems risky — but straddling the sideline to defend the ATP may be your best strategy. You are correct: you may not cross the plane of the net.

Q. If I go to defend an ATP and I body bag the opponent who hit it, who wins the point? – Cameron

A. Fault on player hit by ball (body bag) – 7.I  A ball in play that is stopped by a player before it becomes dead (e.g., catching or stopping the ball in flight before it comes in contact with the playing surface). The fault is on the player who stopped the ball. You would win the rally.

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”!