She’s back! Got a rules question on the court? Certified Referee Andrea Mayorga is here with clear answers straight from the rulebook, helping you settle disputes with confidence. For deeper dives, you can always reference the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook anytime.

Q. The rulebook defines the serve as "the initial strike of the ball with the paddle to start the rally. Rule 4.A.1 states that "the entire score must be called before the ball is served." Does that mean you can be calling the score up until the moment your paddle contacts (strikes) the ball? I seem to remember that previously the rule was you had to finish calling the score before starting the service motion.  – Reine S.

A. Serve is defined as the initial strike of the ball (3.A.37). Yes, according to this rule, you may call the score up to the moment you strike the ball.

Q. This is more of a "why" question: There are all sorts of rules about the volley serve, but for most violations the rule book says if there is no referee, the receiver cannot call a fault or a do-over for a bad serve. For instance, if the server strikes the ball with the highest point of the paddle above the wrist, if there is no referee the receiver may not call a fault or a do-over. Why all the rules if casual players cannot call the fault? – Peter D. 

A. 4.A.9 – In non-officiated play, the receiver has no authority to call for replays or faults for service motion violations. However, if the receiver determines that manipulation of spin has been imparted prior to the serve, or the release of the ball is not visible, the receiver may call for a replay before the return of serve.

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”!