USA Pickleball-certified referee Maddie Toren answers your questions about pickleball line calls: When is a ball considered in and when is it out? Whose responsibility is it to call line calls? And what do you do if there is a dispute on the court?
What should I think about or see before calling a ball “out”?
When playing pickleball, it’s your responsibility to make your own line calls. When deciding whether a ball is in or out, remember these key components: a pickleball does not compress like a tennis ball, so the bottom of the ball that makes contact with the court when it bounces must not be touching the line in order to call it out. However, part of the ball can be hovering over the line and this is still considered out.
Is there a time limit? Do I have to yell?
When making out calls, you must make your call immediately after the ball bounces or before the opponent hits their next shot. It’s important to be confident in your calls and speak loudly so the players and referee can hear you.
Who is responsible for calling the ball “in” or “out” in pickleball?
In pickleball, during officiated or non-officiated matches, you are responsible for making your own line calls. When there’s a referee officiating your match, you do have the ability to appeal your opponent’s out call and they will make the final call. You can also ask the referee if they saw the ball as the team making the call, but in this case, after consulting with the referee you lose your authority to make a call. If the referee did not see it, the ball would then be considered in.
Why are line calls up to the receiving team?
As the team who’s receiving the shot, the line call is up to you since you’re the closest to the ball and should have the best view of where it landed.
What happens if the two players on the receiving team disagree about whether the ball was in or out?
When a team disagrees with a call, for example one player calls it out and the other calls it in, the ball will then be considered in. The call for the opposing team is always favored in this case. If one player call the ball out and the other says they didn’t see it, the ball will still be considered out. The call for the opposing team is only favored when doubt exists.
What about if my partner plays the ball and I call it out (we both agree that it was out)?
When one player calls the ball out, but the partner makes contact with the ball, the out call still stands. The same rule applies here that, until the other team makes contact with the ball, you’re still able to make your final call.
What if I yell “out” before the ball lands, to tell my partner to watch it bounce before hitting it?
When you make an initial call like this prior to the call bouncing, this is considered communication with your partner. After the ball bounces, you must make another out call to confirm.
What happens if the opposing team disagrees about whether a ball was in or out?
If you make your call and the opposing team disagrees, remember that the final call is in your hands as the receiving team of the shot called out and that call stands unless overruled by a referee.
What responsibility does a spectator have in voicing their opinion of line calls?
When watching a pickleball match, spectators are not allowed to voice their opinions of any calls, including if a ball is in or out.