Pickleball Line Call Rule “What if You Hit an Out Ball in Pickleball”
The Pickleball line call rule is very straightforward and is most important in learning how to play pickleball. However, making the right call on pickleball is very difficult and you will learn many things to make the right call.
Pickleball line call rule is simple, if you see the ball physically touch down the paint or line “it is in ball”, if it does not touch your paddle or is seen outside the line “it is out ball”
Let’s break down the pickleball line rule and What Happens if you Hit an Out Ball in pickleball.
Table of Contents
Court Lines and Layout
Playing pickleball first you will understand the court layout and its line because pickleball is a mixture of some sports like badminton, tennis, and table tennis.
The pickleball court dimension is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, and each side of the play area is 22 feet: The non-volley zone (kitchen area) is 7 feet long and 20 feet from the net on both sides.
The lines that go straight across from each other are called sidelines. The lines that run alongside the net without touching it are called the baseline (22 feet away from the net) and the kitchen line or NVZ line (7 feet away from the net).
Are lines “in” or “out”
In pickleball, the lines have different meanings depending on their location and the context of the game. Here’s a breakdown:
Lines considered “in”:
- Sidelines
- Baseline
- In skinny singles, the center line becomes one of the sidelines and is therefore considered “in.”
Lines considered “out”:
- During a serve, the kitchen line is considered “out” or a serve fault.
- When considering whether you can volley the ball, the kitchen line is considered a part of the kitchen.
where the ball lands:
- The part of the ball that touches the ground needs to touch the line to be considered “in.” Airspace over the line does not count.
kitchen line:
- The kitchen line is important in the line calling. If the serve ball lands within the kitchen it’s fault.
- If your foot is within the kitchen line you cannot volley the ball.
serving:
- The serve must be crosscourt, not landing in the kitchen or on the kitchen line.
- The serve must land within the outer edges of the sidelines and baseline to be considered valid.
What Happen if You Hit an Out Ball in Pickleball
In pickleball, it’s your responsibility to call in or out ball. That means you are calling the opponent’s shot in or out. If there is any doubt the ball is in or out the ball declares in.
The question that arises while calling the line hitting an out ball or not.
When you call the ball outbounds you call it out. Once you call the ball out the seems to be dead you can’t hit it and what happens after it does not matter. If the ball lands outbounds you did not call out the opponent to strike back you did no longer call out.
In pickleball calling time is a matter you make the call as soon as possible. If there are any doubts the point will replay according to the rules. To reduce any conflict if you have any doubts about whether the ball is in or out you call it in.
Who makes the line call in pickleball?
Line calls are made by the player in both single or double play. Even if there is a referee it may still be your responsibility to make line call.
The player is also responsible for kitchen line faults. If the opponent player disagrees regarding the line call the player to replay the point.
If you play the match under the referee then most of the time referee is responsible for the line call or any other fault like the kitchen line, shorts serve, rules, etc.
Code of Ethics for Line Calling
Pickleball is played according to specific rules. So it requires some code of ethics for line calling responsibilities when performed by the player.
If you play pickleball without a referee it’s difficult to judge whether the ball is out of bounds or not. When a player calls it requires accuracy and responsibility, if the call is questionable it resolves in the favor of the opponent.
- A player must strive for accuracy and do their best to be accurate.
- You must call out when you see the difference between the ball and the line.
- All out ball must be made before the ball is hit by the opponent or before the ball becomes dead.
- Out ball must be signaled by a loud voice or signal with a hand.
- All “out” calls are made after the ball bounces a line call. The ball is dead and play shall stop.
- While the ball is in the air, players yell “out” not bounce it or any other words to communicate with their partner it is considered player communication, not line call.
Also, keep in mind pickleball is a very social game and most of the players know each other in most pickleball communities.
Don’t let your position as a player trainshed for making bad line call.
Final Thoughts
Calling a bad line cal “out” is better than calling “in”. Hope this article helps you to better understand the line call rule in pickleball. I know it is very confusing to deal with this rule but be vigilant and call the ball “out” when you see the ball is out of bounds.
Benign pickleball player, you must pay attention to avoid any conflict while line call to the angle, speed, and direction of the ball. But always remember sportsmanship integral part of any player.
