Caught in a mid-match rule mystery? Don’t sweat it — Certified Referee Andrea Mayorga is here to call it straight! With six years of experience at major events like USAP Nationals and the BallPark Series, Andrea’s got the know-how to clear the confusion and keep your game in top form. Brush up anytime with the Official Rule Book – USA Pickleball

Q. A ball is hit over the net with backspin, bounces one time, and goes back into the net before the receiving team can play the ball — replay or last team to hit the ball wins the rally? – Evan R

A. Once the ball hits the net, it’s not a dead ball until it bounces twice on the ground. You can play it off the net but may not touch the net. The last team to hit the ball wins the rally.

Q. During active play, at which point can a player who volleys a ball enter the non-volley zone? Is it after the opposing player contacts the ball? After the ball returns over the net? – Dave M

A. 9.B.1 – The act of volleying begins when the ball is struck out of the air before bouncing (volleyed) and ends when the player’s movement from the follow-through action (momentum) stops. This is a fault according to the question. Momentum ends when the player regains his or her balance.

Q. Is it true that if a ball hits you, the other team gets the point? – Ivan G

A. 7.I – A ball in play is stopped by a player before it becomes dead (e.g., catching or stopping a ball in flight before it makes contact with the playing surface, or getting hit by the ball). The fault is on the player who stopped the ball. Ruling: they lose the rally.

Q. Can the ball be pushed with the paddle or only hit with it? – RoseAnne C

A. I think you mean “carry” instead of “push.” 3.A.2 – Carry: hitting the ball in such a way that it does not bounce away from the paddle but is carried along the face of the paddle. Ruling: this is difficult to determine unless a very obvious carry movement is observed.

Q. Is it okay to run (continue momentum) into the kitchen after striking the ball that bounced outside the kitchen? – Wayne C

A. Because the ball bounced, all NVZ rules are moot. No fault.

Q. If, in the course of play, a shot hits the net post and then bounces back on the court, is that considered a “good shot”? – Steve S

A. 11.K – Net Posts – It is a fault if a player contacts the net post while the ball is live. A ball contacting the net post results in a dead ball, and the team that hit the ball loses the rally.