Have you ever been distracted by another pickleball player on the pickleball court?
Rule 11.J of the 2020 Official Rulebook for USA Pickleball states that a pickleball player may not distract an opponent when the opposing team is about to play the pickleball. If a pickleball player does distract an opponent, then that player would have committed a fault. A distraction is based on the referee's judgment, as a referee in competitive play will determine if the distraction resulted in the loss of a rally by the opposing team.
With that said, team communication does NOT constitute a distraction. That means that, if a pickleball player communicates to his or her partner as the opposing team plays or is about to play the pickleball, then no distraction (and no fault) would have occurred.
Has another pickleball player ever tried to distract you on the pickleball court? Does the other team's communication ever bother you on the pickleball court? Share with us in the comments below!
Jon – Your opponent may stand anywhere on the pickleball court. As a result, this would not be a distraction. However, if you opponent started flapping his arms or intentionally yelling or speaking to you (rather than his partner – which would likely be partner communication), then it would likely be a distraction.
Recently a mature player (well, I originally thought he was) stood inside the service box when I was about to serve to his partner. He was frustrated at his own missed, service returns. When I asked him to step away he said “I don’t have to but I will”.
I assume this falls under “Distraction”? He eventually moved, but I was shocked at the gesture.
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Life lessons come from all places – even unexpected places, like the pickleball court.
If you’re anything like me, you have probably learned a lot about yourself and about life on the pickleball court (plus, you have had a ton of fun!). In this new Pickler pickleball blog series, I will share some of the most important lessons that I have learned through playing pickleball.
Now, let’s dive right in to pickleball lesson #1…
Stacie Townsend
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