Rules question on the court? Certified Referee Andrea Mayorga has you covered. Each month she answers subscriber questions straight from the rulebook — so you can play smarter and settle disputes with confidence. Check out the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook anytime. 

Q. What happens if the person at NVZ line from the receiving team raises their paddle and makes contact with the serve? I was told that a new 2025 rule simply calls for a re-serve, not a receiver fault. Is this correct, and if so, what rule is this? – Rick E
 

A. This was a loophole and has been changed. 4.B Player Positions — 4.B.1 Server and Receiver. The correct server must serve from the correct service area (see Rules 4.B.5 and 4.B.6). The correct receiver must receive the serve.
 

Q. If you drop your paddle, can you use your hand to return a shot? – Andy S
 

A. No. 11.0 Paddle Possession — A player must have possession of the paddle when the paddle makes contact with the ball. A violation of this rule is a fault.
 

Q. A ball is going out of the court. Partner calls "OUT," yet the returner hits the ball. Was it out, or still in play? – Dale
 

A. This is a tricky scenario. The answer depends on WHEN the “out” call was made. According to Rule 6.C.9, while the ball is in the air, if a player yells ”Out!", “No!”, “Bounce it!”, or any other words to communicate to their partner that the ball may be out, it is considered player communication only, not a line call. However under Rule 6.C.10, an “out” call made AFTER the ball bounces is a line call. The ball is dead and play shall stop. If, upon appeal, the referee overrules any type of “out” call, it is a fault against the player or team that made the call.
 

Q. During recreational play, if the opponents don’t call foot faults (at the NVZ or baseline), should the opposing players call them since the rulebook defines them as violations? – Gary S
 

A. 13.D.1.C Players may call non-volley zone faults and service foot faults on the opponents' end of the court. These faults must be called as soon as they are detected. If there is any disagreement between the teams about the called fault, a replay shall occur.

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”!