Pickleball Rules to Know - Crossing the Plane of the Pickleball Net
Did you know that you can only cross the plane of the pickleball net in limited circumstances?
Rule 11.I of the 2020 Official Rulebook for USA Pickleball states that a pickleball player may not cross the plane of the pickleball net (or the imaginary extension line of the pickleball net beyond the net posts) until after that pickleball player has hit the pickleball. This includes anything that the pickleball player is wearing or carrying, such as a pickleball paddle. So, the general rule is that you (or your paddle) may only cross the plane of the pickleball net after you strike the pickleball.
There is one exception to this general rule in that a pickleball player may cross the plane of the pickleball net before striking the pickleball if and only if the pickleball bounces and has enough backspin or wind to cause the pickleball to return to the other side untouched. In this case, the pickleball player may reach across the plane of the net to strike the pickleball. If the pickleball player does not touch the pickleball, however, then the opposing team wins the point.
In any case (regardless of whether you strike the pickleball before or after you cross the plane of the pickleball net), remember that a pickleball player may not touch the pickleball net, posts, net system, or the opposing team's side of the pickleball court. If a pickleball player does any of these things - touch the net, posts, net system, or opposing side of the court - then a fault has occurred and that pickleball player will lose the rally.
Have you ever seen a fault due to a pickleball player crossing the plane of the pickleball net before striking the pickleball (e.g. on a failed Erne attempt)? Share with us in the comments below!
3 Responses
Pickler
Based on our reading of the comments above, we understand that the pickleball (1) bounced on Dave’s side; and (2) had enough spin to ACTUALLY take the pickleball back to his opponents’ side of the court. If this is correct, then this is the exception to the rule described in the blog above, and Dave may cross the plane of the net before striking the pickleball – whether or not Dave is out of bounds. But, Dave may only cross the plane of the net AFTER the pickleball crosses back to his opponent’s side. With that said, if either of our assumptions labeled “(1)” and "(2) above are incorrect, then the exception does not apply and Dave may not cross the plane of the net before striking the pickleball.
Tim Bauer
In Dave’s comment above, he states that he ran out of bounds, but past the imaginary net line to contact the ball. According to the rule above, he made contact with the opposing team’s side of the net. Does it matter that he is out of bounds? Could you please clarify. Thanks
Dave waldmiller
I had an incident the other day where the ball was stroke from my side to the opposing side then returned back to my side into the kitchen and bounced and seemed like it was going to go back to the opposing side. The wind took the ball and seemed like it might be heading out of bounds but I didn’t want to take the chance, it was real close so I ran out of bounds and hit the ball back for a winner but i did contact the ball just after I passed the line of my side of the court . Although I was out of bounds when I struck it. We all kinda looked at each other and came to the understanding that my team should get the volley but not sure what the exact ruling is ?
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