Referee Guide

A Guide to Refereeing Pickleball

USAPA Official Recommendation

Refereeing is a required and integral part of all sanctioned USAPA Pickleball Tournaments. Your comments are welcome. If you have specific questions about referee procedures or rules in general, send emails to: ruleschair@usapa.org

Knowing the Rules  (Listing of the USAPA Rules)

Sorting Out Potential Referees  (Grading Applicants)

Dealing with Player Problems   (Responsibilities & Procedure)

An Example of a Referee’s Game Procedure (A ”how to”)

Refereeing Medal Rounds  (More Involved than Other Games)

Judging Foot Faults  (Was the Person Really on the Line?)

Is the Ball ‘In’ or ‘Out’? (It’s Not as Easy to Call as You May Think)

Judging Serves (Make Sure All the Serves are Legal)

Knowing the Rules

All Referees must be familiar with the official IFP/USAPA rules.  The Tournament Director should have a copy available on site.  They should also host a training session with all referees prior to the event to review all rules.  The following sections are covered in the IFP Rulebook.  Click Here to open the IFP Official Rules page. Here you can open and download a copy of the most current version of the rulebook.

Section 1-  The Game

Section 2- The Court & Equipment

Section 3-Definitions

Section 4-Service Rules

Section 5-  Service Sequence

Section 6-  Line Calls

Section 7-Faults

Section 8-Dead Balls

Section 9- Non-Volley Zone

Section 10-Scoring

Section 11- Time Outs

Section 12-Other Rules

Section 13-Sanctioned Tournament Formats

Section 14-Tournament Management

Section 15-Sanctioned Tournament Divisions/Categories

Section 2 defines acceptable balls. Section 14 defines the Referee’s responsibilities (clothing, etc.).

It’s recommended that Tournament Directors supply referees with a copy of these sections.

We also strongly suggest that all tournament referees take the Online Rules Quiz prior to each event.  The quiz is designed as a quick self-test on the rules and should help both novice and experience referees alike.

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Sorting Out Potential Referees 

After potential referees have had their initial training classes they must be tested under real game situations.  Experienced Referees should be present to make notes on the prospects performance.  Often, it works well for the teacher to be on the opposite side of the court during a game.  After the game the prospect’s performance should be reviewed, highlighting good points and explaining faults with suggestions on how to make the necessary corrections.  During class sessions prospects should be taught to go through specific routines before each serve, after each volley and when service is lost.  They can be any routines that are comfortable for them and are effective.

Most Common Problems:

• Keeping track of the score – Often caused because they watch the game, not referee. Or they didn’t make notes on how to identify players they don’t know.
• Keeping track of who is supposed to be serving – They don’t constantly check each players’ location to make sure it’s correct.
• Keeping track of First & Second Serves – This is the basic problem of all sorts of errors.  They must have an organized way of keeping track of this.  Many people use 1 or 2 fingers on top of the clipboard to guide them.  There are other ways to do it but they need to be constantly aware of this and using a system that works for them.  Again, it’s often because they are watching the game, not refereeing.
• Missing foot faults – Watching the game again, and not having that as a specific part of their routine.
• Review and feedback – Additional games should be assigned and reviewed in a similar manner.  People who are able to referee effectively will usually catch their stride after several games.  If they do not, and especially if they make the same mistakes repeatedly, it should be explained to them that they would be of more help to their their club in another capacity.  If possible, offer another task or tasks that they might consider doing.  Make it clear that it’s not a matter of intelligence or attitude but that some of us just don’t make good referees.

Special Note:

Referee Removal – A referee may be removed when both players in Singles or both teams in Doubles agree that the referee assigned to officiate their match is doing a poor job, or at the discretion of the Tournament Director.  In the event that a referee removal is requested by only one player or team and not agreed to by the other player or team, then the Tournament Director may accept or reject the request.  If a referee is removed, the Tournament Director will appoint the new referee.

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Dealing with Player Problems

This important area is often ignored or not stressed. 

Referee trainers should have copies of the official USAPA rules relating to player behavior and resulting penalties during their classes.  They should be covered in detail with typical examples given and an open discussion of your Tournament and USAPA policies.  

Official Rules-Tournament Conduct (Section 14-H)

In USAPA sanctioned tournaments the referee is empowered to call technical fouls and to forfeit a match:

• If an individual player’s behavior is detrimental to the tournament. In addition, the Tournament Director has the authority to expel any player for misconduct no matter how many technical fouls have been received.
• A player refuses to abide by the referee’s decision, or engages in unsportsmanlike conduct.
• A player fails to comply with the tournament or host facility’s rules while on the premises, failure to follow a referee’s request, improper conduct on the premises between matches, for abuse of hospitality, locker room or other rules and procedures.
• A player fails to report to play ten (10) minutes after the match has been called to play.  (The Tournament Director may permit a longer delay if circumstances warrant such a decision.)
• A player receiving two (2) technical fouls in a match shall automatically forfeit that match.  In addition, the Tournament Director has the authority to expel any player from the tournament for misconduct.

Note:

Any referee’s decision involving an interpretation of the rules may, on protest, be decided by the Tournament Director.

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An Example of a Referee’s Game Procedure  

Referees often do some things a little differently than others.  What’s important is that they effectively monitor and control the flow of the Pickleball games they are working.  The following is an example, with appropriate comments, on how a person might go about handling his responsibilities in a tournament situation.

This section is under constant review and revisions will be made from time to time.  Be sure you have the latest version. 

A Referee’s Basic Duties 

• Assure fairness during the games
• Keep the score and call the score before each serve,  watching  all players  so you can make the call as soon as possible, keep the game moving
• Report the final score to the scoring and scheduling table
• Call foot faults in the non-volley zone
• Call foot& service faults by the server    

Before Play Starts, Explain Your Responsibilities 

“My name is:____________.  I am the Referee for this match.  We are following USAPA rules. My primary responsibilities are to call foot faults in the non-volley zone, service line faults, keep and call the score, and to report the results to the scoring/scheduling table.  I do not make line calls but either side may ask for verification of a ball called out of play, I will render an opinion if I CLEARLY see where the ball touched down.  If I do render an opinion it cannot be challenged by either side.”

Establish Who Serve First and How the Games Will Proceed 

1. “I have written a number 1 or 2 on the back of the score sheet to determine who serves  and who receives.  I want you (pick a person) to choose a number.  If you choose correctly, you can choose to receive, serve, or the court side.  Your opponent(s) chooses from the remaining option.”  (Follow the instructions you’ve just given)
2. “This game will be played to 11 points (or 15 or 21 points).  You must win by 2 points.  We are playing best 2 out of 3 games (or 1 game to 15 or 1 game to 21 points).  Please do not serve until I have called out the score.  If you do you will have committed a fault and you will loose the serve.”
3. “Once a serve is made a replay can only be made because of interference, such as a Ball-in-Court, or because of a Referee error.
4. “Prior to the second game starting, you are allowed a two minute break period.  We will rotate court sides and begin the next game.  The team serving in the first game will receive.  If a third game is necessary, you will rotate again and begin the third game.  The third game will be interrupted when any team/player achieves 6 points (8 for 15 point games or 11 for 21 point games) and we will then rotate court sides for the final time.  I will remind you when to do that.”
5. “In the event an errant ball from another court is hit onto this court, play will be suspended immediately and the point replayed.”  Any player or the Referee may call a ‘Ball in Court’  due to the errant ball.  Play stops and the point is played over.”
6. 6. “You are allowed 5 minutes to warm up before we begin.    Two one minute “time outs” may be called by each side during each game.”(See Rules 11.A & 11.D)
7. “Each of you is responsible for making sure you are the correct server before you serve. If the ball is served by the wrong team member or from the wrong court, it is  a fault. That serve is lost and the correct second server serves from the correct service position.  If the fault was by the second server, then it is a side out.” (Rules 5.B.6.)
8. “Are there any questions?”

Begin the warm up period.  Manage your court to the standards outlined.

Before the first serve of the game, remind players to wait for you to call out the score before serving.

During the Games

Always remember that you are a referee, not a spectator.  It’s very easy to get involved with the action and forget your responsibilities as a referee.

Below is the Official USAPA Scoresheet which covers scoring for best of 3 games to 11, 1 game to 15 or 1 game to 21 points.   Notice that the lower part is upside down.  One team or player is covered by each half of the form.  Event Directors provide the form to Referees with one of the categories circled, the players’ names and event (Men’s Singles, Women’s singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, etc.) Also shown is the referee’s name and the court number the games are being played on.  When the games are finished the form(after verification by the players) is returned to the Event Director for posting.

The teams or players are upside down from one another to aid the referee in keeping track of the flow of the games. Notice that there are 2 time-outs allowed for each team/player and a space is provided to indicate the first server for each team/player. (The same team player does not have to start all games)

Below the form are additional items that referees need to keep track of.

Know Your Support – All referees should know where a copy of the Official IFP Rule Book is located and where to find the Referee Leader in case there is a question he can’t answer.

Know Your Players – When the players are unknown to the referee he should make a note (usually above the players’ name) indicating how to identify each player.  This could be a shirt or hat color or anything else that’s convenient. Many tournament directors have their referees give the first server on each team  a colored arm/leg band to wear during the games.  This helps in making sure that players are in the correct courts.

Know the Switch– Although the form indicates that sides are switched at certain scores during the games, most referees, as a reminder, draw a dark vertical line before the point number where the switch is made .

Take Notes– Many referees make notes on the reverse side of the form to indicate any special notes or items that don’t affect the score.  These might be for rules questions, player behavior, etc.

Keep Track of Serves– Most referees use a system to keep track of first & second serves.  Many hold the clipboard with one finger on top during the first serve and two fingers on top during the second serve.

Positioning– Most referees stand on the serving side of the net to remind them which side is serving.  It is also helpful to stand as near the sideline as practical so you have a direct “down the line” look at sideline shots.  Never step into the court area to call the score.

Medal Rounds– Many tournaments use multiple referees and lines judges, particularly for medal rounds.  Refer to “Refereeing Medal Rounds” for variations relating to those procedures.

Time Outs– When a time-out is called most good referees ask all players to lay their paddles down in their respective court before leaving .  The server places the ball below his paddle to indicate where the serve starts when play is resumed.

Indicate First Servers– Referees must be sure that all serves are made by the correct player and from the correct court.  This is facilitated by indicating the “First Server”.  The Team/Players’ score will always be an even number when this person is in the right hand court.

Other Notes: 

1. Upon completion of your match, confirm the score and the winners with the players and then escort them off the court. Report the results to the scoring table.
2. It’s imperative that you are very familiar with the score sheet and it’s use before you referee any match.   Always have the players verify the final scores before leaving the court.
3. If the match is a single game to 15 the rotation of court sides is after 8 points.  If the game is to 21 points the rotation is after 11 points.
4. Either side may ask for verification of a ball being called out of play, you may render an opinion if you CLEARLY see where the ball lands. If you do not clearly see where the ball lands the receiving side’s call cannot be changed.  (See Rules 6.D.10, 14.G, 14.I & 14.I.1)
5. Be a referee, not a spectator.  You must keep your mind on your duties.  If you’re watching the ball go back and forth, how can you possibly see a foot fault? Keep concentrating on the Referee’s responsibilities at the beginning of this article. 

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Refereeing Medal Rounds

Depending on the size of a tournament, the availability of referees and line judges, and the court space available for line judges, a medal match might have anywhere from a single referee (the least desirable option) to a referee or two and six or eight line judges. For small tournaments a single referee might be sufficient and the match handled much the same as other refereed matches. However, when personnel and court space are available line judges should be used for all medal matches.

Option 1
When court space and personnel are available the most accurate officiating system involves a primary referee, a line judge for each baseline and an additional line judge for each sideline. The referee officiates the match as described in theExamples of a Referee’s Game Procedure section. The line judges make out-of-bounds calls for the line for which each is responsible. In addition, the baseline judges make serving foot fault calls on their end. When an additional referee is readily available he/she is positioned on the side of the court opposite the primary referee to serve as an additional set of eyes for non-volley zone foot faults, double bounces, etc. The primary referee is in charge of the match and has final say regarding all calls.

If space and personnel are available, one or two line judges may be added to call the center line on serves. Line judges always are positioned at one end of the line they are calling so they have an unobstructed view of the entire line – end to end. This option, which has proven to result in the most accurate calls, requires a minimum of one referee and four line judges.

Depending on the court layout it might be necessary to leave a court adjacent to the medal match court vacant so line judges can be properly positioned. This need should be considered when assigning late round matches to courts.

Option 2
When there is a shortage of line judge personnel or insufficient space to accommodate sideline judges, in place of sideline judges a second referee is added on the side of the court opposite the primary referee. Using this option the baseline judges call out-of-bound balls on their respective baseline and, in addition to their other duties as outlined in theExamples of a Referee’s Game Procedure section, the two referees are responsible for calling out-of-bound balls on their respective sidelines. The primary and secondary referees share responsibility for non-volley zone violation calls. The primary referee is in charge of the match and has final say regarding all calls.

This option should be used only when there is a shortage of line judge personnel or there is insufficient space to accommodate sideline judges, because looking down the line from the net post is a less-accurate vantage point than a line judge sighting down the line from the end of the court.

Option 3
This option is the same as Option Two, except there are no baseline judges. It should be used only when there is an extreme shortage of line judge personnel and/or insufficient space to accommodate sideline and baseline judges. The primary and secondary referees are responsible for calling the sidelines (as explained in Option 2) and the players call their own baselines. This option requires two referees and no line judges, but results in less accurate line calls than Options One or Two.

Option 4
This option should be used only when there is an extreme shortage of line judge personnel and referees and/or the court configuration prevents the use of line judges. A single referee is assigned to officiate the match and performs the duties described in the Examples of a Referee’s Game Procedure; the players make their own line calls.

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Judging Foot Faults

By Wayne Muggli

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Is the Ball ‘In’ or ‘Out’?

By Wayne Muggli

Judging Serves

By Wayne Muggli

Special Note: 

It can be very hard to determine exactly where a person’s waist is and if the ball is being struck below the waist.  Most important is that the paddle head is below the wrist bone when the paddle strikes the ball.  If the whole paddle head is below the wrist bone it forces the person to serve in an underhand motion.  As you watch the video, note that if the paddle head is not below the wrist, the serve is illegal even if contact is below the waist.

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Online Referee Clinic

So you think you know the rules?  Here’s a great true/false quiz that gives you the opportunity to test your pickleball knowledge.  Let’s see how you do…