Pickle With Felicity

22025 New Rules

Rules Refresher
Some Rules Reminders from the 2025 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook

4.A.2 The server must serve to the service court diagonally opposite their correct position. The ball may clear or touch the net and must clear the NVZ and the NVZ lines. The ball may land on a service court line.

4.A.5. The serve shall be made with only one hand or the paddle releasing the ball. While some natural rotation of the ball is expected during any release of the ball, the server shall not impart manipulation or spin on the ball with any part of the body or the paddle as a result of the release. Exception: The server may allow the ball to roll off the face of the paddle by gravity.

4.K. If the wrong score is called, any player may stop play before the return of serve to correct the score. The rally shall be replayed with the correct score called. After the return of serve, play shall continue to the end of the rally and the score correction made before the next serve. After the return of serve, a player who stops play to identify or ask for a score correction will have committed a fault and shall lose the rally. A player who stops play after the serve to identify or ask for a score correction when the score was correctly called will have committed a fault and shall lose the rally.

6.C.7. All “out” calls must be promptly signaled by voice and/or hand signal.

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.

6.C.7.b. If a player/team does not return the ball, they may make an “out" call or defer to their opponents to make the line call up until the next serve occurs.
6.C.8. Doubles Outs Calls. In doubles play, if one player calls the ball “out” and the partner calls it “in,” then doubt exists and the team’s call will be “in.” Any player may defer a line call to their opponent up until the next serve occurs. If the opponent did not see the ball, the ball is considered “in.”

11.I. Plane of the Net. Crossing the plane of the net prior to striking the ball is a fault. Immediately after striking the ball, a player or anything the player is/was wearing or carrying may cross the plane of the net. The player may not touch any part of the net system, the opponent’s court, or the opponent while the ball is still live. After striking the ball, the allowance to cross the plane of the net only applies in the course of executing the current strike of the ball and for continuation specifically associated with the current strike of the ball.

11.I.1 Exception: If the ball bounces into a receiving player’s court with enough backspin or wind aid to cause it to return to the other side of the net, the receiving player may cross the plane of the net (over, under or around the net post) to hit the ball. It is a fault if the receiving player (or anything the receiving player is wearing or carrying) crosses the plane of the net before the ball has first crossed back over the plane of the net to the opponent’s side. It is a fault if the player touches the net system, the opponent’s court, or the opponent while the ball is still in play.

11.L.4. If a player hits the ball over the net into the opponent’s court, and then the ball bounces back over the net and bounces a second time without being touched by the opponent, the striking player wins the rally.

13.D.1.a. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, players are expected to call any type of fault on themselves or their partner as soon as the fault is committed or detected. The fault call must happen before the next serve occurs.

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Why Is Staying Back a Problem?

Picture this: you’re in a game of pickleball, and you move up to the kitchen after hitting a solid third shot. But then, you notice your partner isn’t moving up with you. Instead, they decide to stay back, hovering near the baseline. What do you do? Should you move back, stay at the kitchen, or something in between?

This is a common conundrum, especially in recreational play, so let’s break it down.
Moving up to the kitchen line after a third shot is generally considered the optimal strategy in pickleball. It allows you to apply pressure, control the net, and put yourself in a better position to win points. When your partner stays back, it puts you in a tough spot, both physically and strategically. Suddenly, you’re left exposed, and the opposing team now has multiple attack options.

When you’re up at the kitchen line and your partner is lingering at the baseline, a few things happen:

Open Angles: Your opponents can exploit the angle between you and your partner. If they hit a shot to the opposite side of the court, they can create a wide gap that’s very challenging to cover.
Easy Targets: You become a sitting duck for powerful slams. If the opposing team directs a shot to your partner and they return a weak, high ball, your opponents can slam it at you, making defense nearly impossible.
Strategies for Beginners: How to Handle a Hesitant Partner
Partner Stays Back Do You Stay Back Too(2)
If you or your partner are beginners, communication is key. Let them know that advancing to the kitchen line gives your team the best chance at winning. Beginners often stay back because they feel more comfortable returning shots from the baseline—it’s less intimidating. However, kindly encourage your partner to take small steps toward the kitchen after hitting a return, explaining that moving forward is the key to gaining control.

If they still feel uneasy about moving up, stay back with them. While this might not be ideal, staying back together helps create a unified defensive position. This strategy will also allow you both to practice your third shots, resets, and defensive skills without opening yourselves up to unnecessary attacks.

My partner Gwen and I took gold in women's 4.0

HOW TO CHOOSE OR CHANGE YOUR PICKLEBALL PARTNERS:

Red Flag #1: The Blamer
If your partner is quick to point fingers every time a shot is missed or a point is lost, that’s a red flag. Pickleball is a team sport, and mistakes happen. Constantly being blamed is not only frustrating, but it’s also counterproductive.

Instead of sulking, your partner should focus on teamwork and how to adjust together.

Red Flag #2: The Know-it-All
Ah, the partner who always knows better. They’re quick to dish out unsolicited advice on shots you missed or strategies they haven’t even mastered themselves.

If you’re constantly being told how to play but never seeing improvement from their end, you’ve got a know-it-all on your hands. A good partner gives feedback constructively, not constantly.

Red Flag #3: The Silent Treatment
bad pickleball partners
On the other end of the spectrum is the partner who says nothing. When you make a mistake, they sulk in silence, leaving you to feel like you’ve just committed a major crime. Good communication is key in any partnership.

If your partner can’t offer encouragement or even basic feedback, it can make the game less enjoyable.

Red Flag #4: The Ball Hog
You know the type—they’re everywhere on the court, taking shots that are clearly yours and leaving you standing there like a spectator. The ball hog can throw off your rhythm and make you feel like you’re just there to hold the paddle.

Teamwork is key, and a good partner knows when to step aside and let you take your shots.

Red Flag #5: The Over-Apologizer
While it’s nice to acknowledge mistakes, constant apologizing can become distracting and even frustrating. If your partner apologizes for every single missed shot, it can sap the fun right out of the game.

What to Look for in a Good Pickleball Partner
Now that we’ve covered the red flags, let’s talk about what you should actually look for in a partner.

Good Attitude: A positive outlook trumps skill level. It’s far better to play with someone who can shake off mistakes and laugh about it than with someone who gets frustrated after every point.

Consistency: You want a partner who plays with some level of consistency. Sure, everyone has off days, but wild unpredictability in play can make it hard to establish any rhythm.

Communication: It’s not just about calling “mine” or “yours.” The best partners can talk through strategies, make adjustments on the fly, and keep things upbeat even when things aren’t going your way.

Adaptability: Flexibility is essential, especially in tournament play. If something isn’t working, you need a partner who’s willing to switch up strategies rather than stubbornly sticking to a failing plan.

When It’s Time to Change Partners
If you’re constantly clashing with your partner—whether it’s because of a lack of chemistry, different play styles, or just negative vibes—it might be time to call it quits. Here’s when you know it’s time to move on:

Toxic Behavior: If your partner’s attitude is affecting your enjoyment of the game, it’s time to reconsider. Pickleball is supposed to be fun!

Lack of Improvement: If you’ve played together for a while but haven’t improved as a team, it might be time to find a partner that clicks better with your style.

No Fun: At the end of the day, pickleball is a game. If you’re not having fun with your current partner, don’t be afraid to switch it up.

Hello 🔵 It’s official. Signed at 2:55 PM. It was even on TV. Mine really turned blue. Don't forget that tomorrow starts the new Facebook rule (aka... new name, META) where they can use your photos. Don't forget the deadline is today!!!

I do not authorize META, Facebook or any entity associated with Facebook to use my photos, information, messages or posts, past or future.
With this statement, I notify Facebook that
it is strictly prohibited to disclose, copy, distribute or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. Violation of privacy may be punishable by law.

Here's how to do If you are thinking of getting off FB because of the volume of sales ads and trash stuff. So hold your finger anywhere in this post and click ′copy’. Go to your page where it says ‘What's on your mind?’ Tap your finger anywhere in the blank field. Click paste. This upgrades the system.
Hello new and old friends!

IT ACTUALLY WORKED!!!! 👍👊🙏
Hold your finger anywhere in this message and “copy” will appear. Click “copy”. Then go to your page, create a new post and place your finger anywhere in the empty field. “Paste” will appear and click Paste.
This will bypass the system….

He who does nothing consents.

For those who are interested in helping with relief efforts in Western Carolina, House of Prayer church in Blairsville is collecting donations to take to Waynesville later this week. If you would like to help, please bring your donation to the pickleball courts Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Mike Hartzog will pick up the items. Water, diapers, wipes, formula, non perishable food, pet food, personal hygiene items, basic items and new clothing are all helpful items. Thank you for your willingness to help our neighbors.