USA Pickleball ref Maddie Toren will teach you about the plane of the pickleball net, including when you can and cannot cross over the plane of the net, does what you are wearing or touching count, and an important exception to this rule.
When can you (and can’t you) cross the plane of the pickleball net?
Crossing the plane of the net prior to striking the ball is a fault (Rule 11.I.).
Once the ball is in play, a player hitting the ball before the ball entirely crosses the plane of the net (Rule 7.K.).
After striking the ball, a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying, may cross a plane of the net (Rule 11.L.3).
The player may not touch any part of the net system, the opponent's court, or the opponent while the ball is still in play (Rule 7.G.).
Exception to the pickleball plane of the net rule (Rule 11.I.1.)
If the ball bounces into a receiving player's court with enough backspin or wind to cause it to return to the other side of the net without first being touched, the receiving player may cross the plane of the net over, under, or around the net post to hit the ball.
It is a fault if the receiving player, or anything the receiving player is wearing or carrying, crosses the plane of the net before the ball has first crossed back over to the plane of the net to the opponent's side.
Pickleball net rules & dimensions (including 2024 rule changes)
What happens if a pickleball ball bounces back over the net (without being touched)?
If you would like to learn more details about these rules refer to the official rulebook at USAPickleball.org.
Maddie Toren is a pro pickleball official and the first-ever teen-certified referee. This is Episode 6 of “10 Rules All Beginner Pickleball Players Should Know: Part 1.”