Q. At a recent tournament, my partner and I were speaking to each other about changing our strategy after losing a rally and the referee called the score before we were done talking. We weren’t even in position behind the baseline. Doesn’t a ref need to wait until we are ready before the score gets called?

A: The referee probably made the judgment that you “should” have been ready. Rule 4.D. says, “The score shall be called after the server and receiver are (or should be) in position.” Referees are instructed to be generous in allowing time for players to be ready, as long as they maintain a continuous pace (Rule 10.C.), but a ref is also obliged by that same rule to “call the score when play should be resumed.”

Q. I know we can’t propel a ball up during a drop serve, but are we still permitted to toss a ball up during a volley serve?

A: If USA Pickleball rules are deemed to apply, that is correct, but an unsanctioned tournament (pro or amateur) might use different rules. Players are often surprised to learn that you can toss the ball as high as you like in completing a volley serve when using the official USA Pickleball rules, as long as the service motion still complies with the requirements of Rule 4.A.7.

One reason to limit the height of the toss is to limit the time available from the moment the ball is released until the ball is struck, which may limit the forward body movement of the server, thereby limiting the speed of the serve. Newer players often need extra time to coordinate their service motion, so it is not likely that this restriction will be adopted as a general pickleball rule.

Q. I know that the 2024 rules permit a ball to be replaced if it is degraded, but is there a limit to how degraded a ball must be for a ref to permit its replacement?

A: This is a matter for the players to decide. If a team wishes a ball to be replaced and the opponents wish to continue to use that ball, no change can occur. Keep in mind that there is no replay of the last rally when a degraded ball is replaced, as explained in Rule 11.E.

Q. My partner and I were at the non-volley zone line when our opponents popped a ball up. We both decided to try to return it. The ball was more to my side and closer to me, so I got to the ball first. My feet were solidly planted behind the NVZ line when I drove the ball deep toward our opponents and they were unable to return it. However, my partner stumbled toward me and accidentally bumped into me after I hit the ball, pushing me forward into the non-volley zone.

I know my feet were planted and my momentum from hitting the ball certainly did not carry me forward. If my partner had not run into me, I definitely would not have touched the zone. My partner and his paddle never touched the ball.

I believe the closest rule is 9.C. but I would like to know if it applies in this case.

A: It would not be a fault if the referee determined that the act of volleying, as described in Rules 9.B. and 9.C., ended before you got bumped. It’s the referee’s judgment to make, and the ref must consider all aspects of the act of volleying, including completion of the swing and any subsequent momentum.  •