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All tournaments in BC sanctioned by Pickleball BC and Pickleball Canada Organization (PCO) will follow the official rules used by PCO, USA Pickleball, and the Global Pickleball Federation.
PICKLEBALLBC and Pickleball Canada recommend that all play, both tournament and recreational, be played according to the official rules of pickleball.
Access Rules: Pickleball Canada - Rules
PICKLEBALLBC and Pickleball Canada recommend that all play, both tournament and recreational, be played according to the official rules of pickleball.
Access Rules: Pickleball Canada - Rules
Officiating Program
The primary objectives of the Pickleball Canada Officiating Program and Pickleball BC are:
- To provide a development and training environment for individuals wishing to become pickleball game officials.
- To establish and maintain a high level of officiating.
Rule Changes for 2025
The new rule changes have been announced by USA Pickleball, and are in effect as of January 1, 2025. There are no earth-shattering changes to the rulebook—rather lots of small changes, such as grammatical additions, deletions, and clarifications. All of the rule changes are available on the USA Pickleball website.
I will touch on a few of the more significant changes:
1. Rule 9.B.1 will change the definition of volley from " ... the swing, the follow-through, and the momentum from the action" to "The act of volleying begins when the ball is struck out of the air before bouncing and ends when the player's movement from the follow-through action stops." This means that volleying no longer includes the swing before the ball is hit.
2. Rule 9.H Although it is still okay for a player to volley a ball while their partner is standing in the kitchen, the 2025 rule adds "as long as the partners, including anything the partners are wearing or carrying, do not contact each other during the act of volleying".
3. Spectator Line Calls, Rule 6.C.4 This rule change reminds players that they should not be asking spectators for their opinion on line calls, but also that they are not allowed to accept any input from spectators. The rule change prevents both soliciting or accepting spectator input.
4. Rally Scoring (Provisional Rules 4.G.1 and 12.B.1) Rally scoring will be introduced for doubles play, but side-out scoring is still the official method of scoring. Double elimination tournaments should not use rally scoring. When using rally scoring, the game winning point will still only be scored by the serving player or team.
5. Calling a fault on your partner, Rule 13.D.1.a The current rule says that you must call a fault on yourself when you realize you committed the fault. The new 2025 rule change adds that you must also call a fault on your partner if you see them commit one. As well, the fault call must be made before the next serve occurs.
6. Serving Changes, Rule 4.A.5 Currently, "the serve shall be made with one hand releasing the ball". The new rule change will also allow you to release the ball with your paddle. If you serve with the drop serve and want to drop the ball with your paddle (instead of your hand), you have to let the ball roll off the face of the paddle using gravity only (no force). Despite this change, you are still not allowed to impart spin on the ball.
7. Not Ready Signals, Rule 4.C.2 This rule now allows the receiving team to use a verbal indicator, like "stop" or "wait" to tell the server that they are not ready ... after the server has already called the score. Previously this was not allowed. "Not ready" signals, like hand motions, etc., are still to be ignored by the server, as they are not allowed after the score has been called.
I hope the above seven rule changes help you out as we get into a new year of pickleball. As I said, there are many more that have been introduced, and are available on the USA Pickleball website under "Officiating".
If I can help you out in any way with regards to the rules, please contact me at [email protected]
Enjoy Pickleball ...
Rick Folk
Head Referee, Pickleball BC
The new rule changes have been announced by USA Pickleball, and are in effect as of January 1, 2025. There are no earth-shattering changes to the rulebook—rather lots of small changes, such as grammatical additions, deletions, and clarifications. All of the rule changes are available on the USA Pickleball website.
I will touch on a few of the more significant changes:
1. Rule 9.B.1 will change the definition of volley from " ... the swing, the follow-through, and the momentum from the action" to "The act of volleying begins when the ball is struck out of the air before bouncing and ends when the player's movement from the follow-through action stops." This means that volleying no longer includes the swing before the ball is hit.
2. Rule 9.H Although it is still okay for a player to volley a ball while their partner is standing in the kitchen, the 2025 rule adds "as long as the partners, including anything the partners are wearing or carrying, do not contact each other during the act of volleying".
3. Spectator Line Calls, Rule 6.C.4 This rule change reminds players that they should not be asking spectators for their opinion on line calls, but also that they are not allowed to accept any input from spectators. The rule change prevents both soliciting or accepting spectator input.
4. Rally Scoring (Provisional Rules 4.G.1 and 12.B.1) Rally scoring will be introduced for doubles play, but side-out scoring is still the official method of scoring. Double elimination tournaments should not use rally scoring. When using rally scoring, the game winning point will still only be scored by the serving player or team.
5. Calling a fault on your partner, Rule 13.D.1.a The current rule says that you must call a fault on yourself when you realize you committed the fault. The new 2025 rule change adds that you must also call a fault on your partner if you see them commit one. As well, the fault call must be made before the next serve occurs.
6. Serving Changes, Rule 4.A.5 Currently, "the serve shall be made with one hand releasing the ball". The new rule change will also allow you to release the ball with your paddle. If you serve with the drop serve and want to drop the ball with your paddle (instead of your hand), you have to let the ball roll off the face of the paddle using gravity only (no force). Despite this change, you are still not allowed to impart spin on the ball.
7. Not Ready Signals, Rule 4.C.2 This rule now allows the receiving team to use a verbal indicator, like "stop" or "wait" to tell the server that they are not ready ... after the server has already called the score. Previously this was not allowed. "Not ready" signals, like hand motions, etc., are still to be ignored by the server, as they are not allowed after the score has been called.
I hope the above seven rule changes help you out as we get into a new year of pickleball. As I said, there are many more that have been introduced, and are available on the USA Pickleball website under "Officiating".
If I can help you out in any way with regards to the rules, please contact me at [email protected]
Enjoy Pickleball ...
Rick Folk
Head Referee, Pickleball BC
2025 BC Referee Assessment Program
An important aspect of the Officiating Program for Pickleball Canada is the assessment of officials to Level One and Level Two status. The assessments are carried out by the provinces and the provincial head referees oversee the process. In BC, we implement a team approach to make the assessments consistent, fair, and comprehensive. When a referee wishes to achieve either a level one or two accreditation, he/she should follow the following steps:
For more information on the Officiating Program in BC, please contact:
Rick Folk
Head Referee, Pickleball BC
[email protected]
- Enlist the help of an accredited official to be your mentor or trainer.
- Be aware of the TRR (Tiered Referee Rating) system and work with your trainer/mentor to understand and implement the requirements. The candidate should also have a good understanding of the Officiating Best Practices and the Rulebook.
- When the candidate and the trainer/mentor feels they are ready, ask the Pickleball BC head referee to arrange for an assessment. The Regional Training Coordinator will also be informed.
- The trainer/mentor must recommend the candidate for assessment.
- The Head Referee (HR) and Regional Training Coordinator (RTC) will work with the candidate and trainer/mentor to arrange for the assessment. A qualified Assessor will be found to conduct the assessment at an agreed date and at an appropriate event. This process can sometimes take a fair bit of time.
- The candidate must achieve and document passing grades (90%) on all four on-line tests available on the Pickleball Canada website. Tests must be taken within 30 days of the assessment.
- The candidate must also have a valid Visual Acuity Form filled out.
- The Head Referee will work with the Tournament Director or Referee Coordinator of the event to make sure they are aware of the assessment to take place.
- If the candidate is successful, the TRR form will be filled out entirely, signed, and submitted to the Head Referee, Regional Training Coordinator, and Pickleball Canada Database manager. Credentials will be issued shortly thereafter.
For more information on the Officiating Program in BC, please contact:
Rick Folk
Head Referee, Pickleball BC
[email protected]
