Line calls can be a difficult task on the pickleball court, especially if you are moving and the pickleball is unbelievably close to the line. In recreational play, most players will be deferential to their opponents. However, in competitive play, line calls can be a source of contention.
If you find yourself on the wrong end of what you think is a questionable line call, do not question your opponents’ line call. It is your opponents’ line call to make. Even if you disagree with the line call, shake it off and move on to the next point. Unfortunately, given the pace of a pickleball game, we all make bad line calls – even the pros (as shown by the video above) from time to time and even if unintended (we would like to think that no one intentionally makes a bad line call).
However, if you are in a competitive play situation and there is a referee, then you may appeal any line call to the referee at any time prior to the next serve. If the referee clearly saw the call, then the referee will state his or her ruling. If the referee could not see the call, then your opponents’ line call will stand.
For a deeper breakdown on all of the rules of pickleball, check out Pickler’s Ultimate Guide to the Rules of Pickleball.
Have you had an interesting rules issue on the pickleball court? Send it to us at stacie@thepickler.com, so we can share with the rest of the pickleball community in a future newsletter.
