What is the difference between a pickleball hinder and a pickleball distraction? USA Pickleball ref Maddie Toren will teach you about the differences between a pickleball hinder vs. a pickleball distraction: How are they different, how do they each affect your game, and what are your rights as a pickleball player on the court during a hinder vs. a distraction?
A pickleball hinder (Rule 3.A.16.)
A hinder is any transient element or occurrence not caused by a player that impacts play, not including permanent objects.
Examples include (but are not limited to) balls from other courts, flying insects, or foreign material.
A hinder called by the referee or player and will result in a dead ball.
A valid pickleball hindrance will result in a replay.
A pickleball distraction (Rule 3.A.7.)
A distraction is physical actions by a player that is not common to the game and may interfere with the opponent's ability or concentration to hit the ball.
Examples include (but are not limited to) making loud noises, stomping your feet, or waving the paddle in a distracting manner
If, in the judgment of the referee, a distraction has occurred, the referee shall immediately call a fault on the offending team.
If you would like to learn more details about these rules refer to the official rulebook at USAPickleball.org.