For the 2022 calendar year, there are some important additions, deletions, and other revisions to the rules of Pickleball for enthusiasts to note. These include the following top 7 as outlined on the "Pickler" site and summarized here:
- Chainsaw Serve Outlawed – The 2022 pickleball rule changes largely focus on the hottest topic around the courts in 2021 – the serve. The 2022 pickleball rule changes start with outlawing the chainsaw serve. In other words, no player may use the paddle or paddle hand to toss or otherwise impart spin on the pickleball.
- Drop Serve Is Here to Stay – The drop serve was made as a provisional rule in 2021. After a year of probation, the drop serve is here to stay and is a full rule - read about the 10 second limitation and multiple bounces on serve as little known caveats.
- Visibility Is a Must – On the serve, the referee (if there is one) and/or the receiving player must be able to see the pickleball on the toss or drop. If the pickleball was not visible, then there will be replay. Have you seen the pro player how used to hide the ball on serve??
- Wrong Score Called? Play On – If the wrong score is called, a player cannot stop play after the serve due to the wrong score. Play should continue until the end of the rally and the score correction should be made before the next serve. Comments about the score in this case should be ignored!
- Extra Balls Okay – The 2022 pickleball rule changes permit players to carry additional balls as long as the balls are not visible to opponents during play. However, if an additional ball falls out onto the pickleball court during a rally, then a fault will be declared against you.
- No Jamming on Court – The 2022 pickleball rule changes specifically prohibit headphones or earbuds during competitive events. But, in our recreational play, you are able to jam with your headphones on as long as the dancing does not distract your opponent :)
- Other Revisions to Remove Conflict Between Players and Referees – There are a handful of revisions to clarify when fouls may be called, what verbal warnings may be issued by referees for, what questions players may ask of a referee, new profanity rules (never happens in our matches) and more. If you are interested, see the entire panoply of wonderful rules HERE!
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