News & Stories
Mar 2, 2025
Pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States and around the world, is constantly evolving. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, governing bodies like USA Pickleball and the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) update the rules to maintain fairness, safety, and consistency.
For 2025, several important rule changes have been introduced that players and enthusiasts should be aware of. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer, these changes will impact how the game is played and officiated.
Service Rules Adjustments
One of the most notable changes in the 2025 rulebook involves the service rules. The new rule aims to make the service action more consistent and fair across all levels of play.
Key Change: The "drop serve" rule has been refined. As of 2025, the drop serve will still be allowed, but there are stricter guidelines regarding the height at which the ball is released before it hits the ground. Previously, players were allowed to drop the ball from any height, as long as it bounced before being hit. In 2025, the ball must be released from a height of no more than 6 inches (15.24 cm) from the player's hand. This aims to standardize the serve and reduce the potential for confusion in recreational play.
Non-Volley Zone (The Kitchen) and Overhead Smashes
The "kitchen," or the non-volley zone, has seen some significant changes in the rules surrounding it. As part of an effort to reduce aggressive smashes from players near the kitchen line, the 2025 rulebook introduces a clearer definition of what constitutes an illegal "overhead smash."
Key Change: Players will no longer be allowed to hit an overhead smash while standing inside the non-volley zone unless the ball has bounced within the kitchen area. This adjustment is designed to discourage aggressive smashes that have been deemed dangerous for the player or disruptive to the flow of the game.
(Photo Source: https://pickleland.com/how-to-win-at-pickleball-doubles/)
Scoring System and Timeouts
The current pickleball scoring system remains mostly unchanged, but there are minor adjustments for clarity and consistency during official tournaments. In the 2025 rulebook, the procedures around timeouts and scoring have been streamlined to ensure a smoother and more consistent experience for players and referees.
Key Change: The number of timeouts allowed per match has been reduced from two per team to one per team, per match, with an additional timeout allowed in the event of a tiebreaker or extended match. This is designed to speed up gameplay and reduce interruptions, especially in high-intensity matches where time can become a critical factor.
Handheld Devices and Communication
A growing concern in competitive pickleball has been the use of electronic devices and communication tools during matches, especially during tournaments. Players have often relied on handheld devices for strategic insights, rule verification, or communication with coaches during live play.
Key Change: The use of handheld devices during match play will now be strictly regulated. In 2025, players will be allowed to use devices only during official breaks (such as timeouts or between games) and not during live action. Communication with coaches or teammates via electronic devices during play will be prohibited, except in certain circumstances, like medical emergencies or disability accommodations. This rule is intended to reduce distractions and maintain the integrity of the game.
Service Faults and Clarification of “Foot Fault”
A common issue in competitive pickleball has been the misunderstanding of “foot faults” on serves. In 2025, the rulebook clarifies the specific guidelines regarding foot placement during a serve.
Key Change: Players must keep both feet behind the baseline at the time of the serve and can no longer step over the line until after the ball is struck. This rule also specifies that the non-dominant foot (the foot not holding the paddle) must remain behind the baseline until the ball is hit. Any violation of this rule will result in a fault, meaning the player will lose their serve or the point if it occurs during a rally.
(Photo Source: https://pickleland.com/how-to-win-at-pickleball-doubles/)
Ball-in-Hand Challenge System
In 2025, the pickleball community will see the introduction of a "ball-in-hand challenge" system during high-level competitions. This rule is inspired by similar systems used in professional tennis and other racquet sports.
Key Change: If a player believes a call made by the referee is incorrect, they will have the opportunity to challenge the call with the use of a replay system, provided they have a challenge remaining. Each team will be allowed one challenge per match, with the opportunity to earn back their challenge if it is successful. This rule is intended to provide players with more fairness and reduce the number of disputable calls during high-stakes matches.
Increased Emphasis on Player Safety
Player safety remains a top priority for pickleball governing bodies. As the sport's popularity grows, the risk of injury increases, especially with more competitive play at all levels. The 2025 rulebook introduces several minor changes to better protect players during matches.
Key Change: Use of protective gear will be encouraged, particularly in professional or competitive settings. While wearing helmets, knee pads, and other protective equipment remains optional, tournament organizers will be required to provide guidance on safety standards and will encourage players to use such gear during high-contact play. Additionally, any unsafe behavior or physical confrontations during matches will be met with harsher penalties, including the potential for match forfeiture.
New Court Specifications for Growth
As more players flood into the sport, some adjustments are being made to court regulations to accommodate larger tournaments and provide a better playing experience.
Key Change: For tournaments with more than 64 teams, the court size will be adjusted to slightly larger dimensions to allow for more space between adjacent courts and to improve spectator experience. The new standard dimensions will add an additional 3 feet of space between adjacent courts, ensuring a safer and more comfortable environment for all participants.
(Photo Source: https://www.playpickle.sg/)
Conclusion
The rule changes for 2025 in pickleball aim to maintain the integrity of the game while promoting safety, fairness, and consistency. Whether you're a beginner or a competitive player, staying up to date with the rulebook is essential for improving your gameplay and ensuring you're following the latest standards. As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, these changes reflect the sport's commitment to evolution and fairness on the court.
So, be sure to familiarize yourself with the new guidelines, practice good sportsmanship, and get ready to see how these changes will affect the game in the coming year!
