Every year, the USA Pickleball rules committee reviews and revises the rules of pickleball. Usually the changes are minor, but over the last few years, we've had some changes that rocked the sport (I'm looking at you, spin-serve and drop-serve).
Here are the "Must-Know" Pickleball Rule Updates for 2023 (Courtesy PickleballCafe):
Here are the "Must-Know" Pickleball Rule Updates for 2023 (Courtesy PickleballCafe):
- NO MORE SPIN SERVE!
This is the big one! As of 2023, the "spin serve" will no longer be legal! The quick recap of the change is, if you spin the ball as you release it from your hand, it's a replay / re-serve. You can still hit the ball with topspin, slice...etc, as long as you follow the other serve rules. The only new restriction is spinning it upon release. Here's the video from Zane Navratil explaining what a "spin serve" is. - Avoid Wearing Clothing...
...that closely matches the ball colour. There are actually two parts to this change. The most impactful change is to rule 2.G.1. which adds the mention of clothing that "approximates the color of the ball" as something that could be a "Safety" or "Distraction" issue, and may require the player to change apparel. - Equipment Time-Outs
Equipment time-outs no longer require the use of your team's time-outs and the limitation of "up to 2 minutes" has been replaced with "of reasonable duration". So if you break your paddle, or the sole of your shoe falls off, not only will you not need to use up one of your time-outs, but it may also be reasonable to take more than 2 minutes to find a replacement paddle, or switch into a new pair of shoes... - Illegal Service Motion MAY be a Replay (if called by a referee)
In 2023, if a referee sees what they think MIGHT be an illegal service motion, they MAY call for a replay. Serves that are clearly illegal will still be called as a fault. This call must be made by a referee, not a player. The receiver may call for a replay if they cannot see the release of the ball or see the server spin the ball, but may not call an illegal service motion. - Other (for those who are interested)
- "Side" changed to "End" for consistency.
- Adds 3 out of 5 format clarification for withdrawals.
- 13.D.1.a. related to calling faults on yourself was clarified - no major change - you should still always call a fault on yourself as soon as you see it.
- Clarification that if you're forced to make an apparel change, it won't cost you a time-out. (2.G.4.) (no actual change)
- Rule clarification on round-robin tie breaks. (no actual change)
- Clarification that you cannot spin the ball during release on a drop serve. (no actual change)
- Clarification that you cannot spin the ball during release on a drop serve. (no actual change)
- Additional language to rule 11.E. allowing for a ball change when it's squishy, and not just "broken or cracked"
To be sure and if interested in the details, the Official Rulebook is available from Pickleball USA or here in BC from the Pickleball Depot.
