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In the exciting game of pickleball, accurate line calling plays a crucial role in maintaining fairness and integrity on the court. While referees and line judges are responsible for impartial judgment calls, players also have line-calling duties and must adhere to a code of ethics. In this blog post, we will dive into the line call rules of pickleball and explore the guidelines that govern this important aspect of the game.
Understanding the Basics
- A served ball that lands in the correct service court or on any correct service court line is considered “in.”
- Except for the serve, any ball in play that lands in the court or touches any court line is also considered “in.”
- It is considered a fault on a serve if the ball hits the kitchen or the kitchen line, even if it hits the net beforehand. The serve is legal, however, if it hits the baseline, centerline or sideline.
- A ball contacting the playing surface completely outside of the court is deemed “out.”
Code of Ethics for Line Calling
- Players who are assigned line-calling duties must strive for accuracy and resolve any questionable calls in favor of the opponent.
- Responsibility lies with players to call the lines on their end of the court, except for specific instances handled by referees or line judges.
- Players should make initial line calls, and if they request the opponent’s or referee’s opinion, a clear call will stand. If no clear call can be made, the player’s initial line call stands, but an opponent’s call can be appealed to the referee for a final decision.
- The opponent receives the benefit of the doubt on line calls, and any ball that cannot be called “out” is considered “in.” Players cannot claim a replay due to lack of visibility or uncertainty.
- Spectators should not be consulted on line calls, and players should rely on their own judgment or seek the opponent’s opinion.
- Players must not call a ball “out” unless they clearly see a space between the line and the ball as it hits the ground.
- “Out” calls must be made before the opponent hits the ball or before the ball becomes dead.
Doubles Play Considerations
- In doubles play, if one player calls the ball “out” and the partner calls it “in,” the team’s call will be considered “in.” Players may appeal a call to the referee, and if the referee did not see the ball, it is considered “in.”
- Prompt signaling through voice and/or hand signals is essential for “out” calls.
- Communication between partners regarding the ball potentially being “out” while it’s in the air is not considered a line call.
- An “out” call made after the ball bounces is considered a line call, and play shall stop. If the referee overrules an “out” call, it results in a fault against the player or team that made the initial call.
The Power of Overruling
- After the completion of a rally, players have the authority to overrule their partner’s line call, an officiating team’s line call, or even an opponent’s “in” call to their own disadvantage.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the art of line calling is crucial for maintaining fairness, sportsmanship, and the integrity of the game in pickleball. Players must operate under a code of ethics and make accurate calls, resolving any uncertainties in favor of their opponents. By following these line call rules, players contribute to a level playing field and ensure an enjoyable experience for all involved in the game of pickleball.
