USA Pickleball 2025 Rule Changes: What Every Player Needs to Know

USA Pickleball has released the 2025 Pickleball Rulebook, introducing updates to the rules of play, including the introduction of rally scoring options starting in January 2025 to enhance the game and reflect its evolving nature.

Highlights from USA Pickleball’s Rulebook 2025 : Breaking Down the Exciting Updates

1. Use of Verbal Indicators

Rule 4.C.2. Not ready signals : A significant update in the 2025 USA Pickleball Rulebook now allows a player on the non-serving team to use verbal indicators (such as “stop” or “wait”) to signal that they are not ready after the score has started being called.

What’s Changed?

• Previous Rule:
  • Once the score call began, verbal signals from the non-serving team to indicate unpreparedness were ignored, and the serve proceeded as usual.
• Updated Rule:
  • The non-serving team’s verbal cues must now be acknowledged by the serving team, ensuring the serve does not occur until both sides are ready.

2. Paddle Markings: Autographs Now Permitted

Rule 2.E.5.c. Pickleball paddle autographs. The 2025 rule update expands the guidelines for allowable markings on paddles.

What’s Changed?

• Previous Rule:
  • Markings were limited to identification purposes, such as a player’s name, signature, phone number, or email address.
• Updated Rule:
  • The rule now explicitly permits autographs on paddles, adding a personal and professional touch to equipment.

3. Serve Rule: New Options for Ball Release

Rule 4.A.5. Serve changes: The 2025 rule change introduces a key update to how players can release the ball during a serve.

What’s Changed?

• Previous Rule:
  • The ball could only be released using one hand before serving.
• Updated Rule:
  • Players are now allowed to release the ball using their paddle as well.
  • Spin Restrictions: Players still cannot impart spin on the ball, whether releasing it by hand or paddle.
  • Exception: The server may allow the ball to roll off the paddle face by gravity, providing an additional option for ball release.

4. The Volley

Rule 9.B.1 and 9.H : The 2025 rule changes provide important clarifications on the act of volleying and its interaction with the non-volley zone (kitchen).

What’s Changed?

Definition of Volleying:

Previous Rule:

“The act of volleying the ball includes the swing, the follow-through, and the momentum from the action.”

Updated Rule:

“The act of volleying begins when the ball is struck out of the air before bouncing (volleyed) and ends when the player’s movement from the follow-through action (momentum) stops.”

Non-Volley Zone Contact:

New Clarification:

If a player’s paddle or clothing touches the non-volley zone (kitchen) before the volley, it is no longer a fault—provided it is not touching the kitchen or kitchen line at the time the ball is struck.

Partner Positioning:

Players may still volley while their partner is standing in the non-volley zone.

New Addition: (Rule 9.H)

• This is only allowed if the partners, including anything they are wearing or carrying, do not contact each other during the act of volleying.

5. Calling Faults: Greater Clarity and Team Accountability

The 2025 rule changes introduce adjustments to fault-calling rules, enhancing teamwork, sportsmanship, and fairness.

What’s Changed?

Non-Volley Zone and Service Foot Faults (Rule 13.D.1.c):

• Previous Rule:
  • Players could call non-volley zone or service foot faults on their opponents, and in cases of disagreement among players, the point was replayed.
• Updated Rule:
  • The term “players” has been replaced with “teams,” making the rule read:
    • “If there is any disagreement among teams about the called foot fault, a replay shall occur.”

Partner Disagreement on Fault Calls (Rule 7.O):

• New Rule Addition:
  • If partners disagree on a fault call, the decision will automatically favor their opponents.

Calling Faults on Your Partner (Rule 13.D.1.a):

• Previous Rule:
  • Players were expected to call any faults on themselves as soon as the fault occurred or was detected.
• Updated Rule:
  • The wording now includes “or their partner,” clarifying that players are also responsible for acknowledging their partner’s faults

6. Line Call Rules

• Previous Rule:
  • Rule 6.C.7. All “out” calls must be made prior to the ball being hit by the opponent or before the ball becomes dead
• Updated Rule:
  • Rule 6.C.7. All “out” calls must be promptly signaled by voice and/or hand signal.
  • Rule 6.C.7.a. If a player/team returns the ball, the “out” call shall be made before the opponent hits the ball or the ball becomes dead.
  • Rule 6.C.7.b. If a player/team does not return the ball, they may make an “out” call, appeal the call to the referee, or defer to their opponents to make the line call up until the next serve occurs.

7. No Spectator Input on Line Calls (Rule 6.C.4)

The 2025 rule change solidifies the prohibition of spectator involvement in line calls.

What’s Changed?

• Previous Rule:
  • Spectators “should not be consulted” regarding line calls, leaving room for interpretation.
• Updated Rule:
  • The wording now states that spectators “shall not be consulted,” removing any ambiguity.
  • Players are explicitly prohibited from asking for or accepting line call input from bystanders.

8. Rally Scoring Options (Provisional Rule)

• Rule 4.B.3.a. After the server loses the rally or faults, a side out will occur and service is awarded to the opponent.
• Rule 4.B.6.a. One player on a team will serve before a side out is declared.
• Rule 4.B.10. If the correct server and correct receiver are in their correct positions when the score is called, it is a fault on a player who serves or receives incorrectly, even if the rally is completed before the fault is called. The fault must be called before the next serve
• Rule 4.F.1 A player or team scores a point for each rally won except game point is scored only when serving.
• Rule 4.J.1. Calling the Score in Doubles Matches. The proper sequence for calling the score is server score then receiver score as two numbers. (e.g., “one – zero.”)

9. Tournament Scoring Options (Provisional Rule)

• 12.B.1 (Provisional Rule) Rally Scoring Option. The Tournament Director shall have the option to use rally scoring. This includes singles and doubles round-robins, team play and singles double-elimination. Also, for doubles, double-elimination is not a rally scoring option. For 2025, all USAP Golden Ticket events and the USAP National Championships will use side-out scoring. All standard rules shall apply to rally scoring except as otherwise provided herein and in Rules 4.B.3.a, 4.B.6, 4.B.6.c, 4.B.6.d, 4.B.6.e, 4.F.1, 4.G.1, and 4.J.1.
• 12.B.1.a Game Scoring Format. Game scoring shall be to 11, 15, or 21 points. Matches may consist of one game, best two of three games, or best three of five games. For inclement weather considerations, the Tournament Director may approve game scoring to 7 points, with an end change at 4 points in a single-game match or in the tiebreaker game of a multiple-game match.
• 12.B.1.b Point Scoring. A point is scored by the player or team that wins a rally, except as provided for in 12.B.1.c.
• 12.B.1.c Scoring the Game-Winning Point. The game-winning point can only be scored by the serving player or team. When a player or team is at game point and the opponent serves and loses the rally, it is a side out and no point is awarded.

Conclusion

The 2025 USA Pickleball Rulebook introduces thoughtful updates that enhance clarity, fairness, and the overall player experience. From changes in serving techniques and volley definitions to adjustments in fault-calling and non-volley zone rules, these updates reflect the sport’s growth and its commitment to inclusivity, sportsmanship, and player engagement. As pickleball continues to expand in popularity, these new rules ensure the game remains enjoyable and competitive for players of all skill levels.