A shot around the post (ATP) is legal

An around-the-post shot (ATP) is a shot that goes around the outside of the net post, not over the net, and lands in the opponents' court (Pickleball.com). The rules say you may return the ball around the outside of the post (13.C).

The basics

• The ball may pass lower than the top of the net. There is no height rule for an ATP (Pickleball.com)
• If it lands in the opponents' court, it is in. This is the same as any normal return (8.B, 10.C)

When it is a fault

• The ball went through the gap between the net and the post → fault (13.D, 13.D.1)
• The ball went under the net → fault (13.E, 13.E.1)
• Before crossing the net, the ball hit the post or something else on your own side → fault (13.B, 13.B.1)

When can you use it?

It is said to be a shot for when an angled ball from your opponent pulls you far outside the sideline. From there, it is hard to send the ball back over the top of the net (Pickleball.com).

The 2026 change

The 2026 edition makes clear what happens when a ball bounces in the opponents' court and then hits the post because of spin or wind. In this case, the team that hit the ball wins the rally (10.C.5, USA Pickleball). The reason: a net post is a "permanent object," and if a ball that bounced in your court hits a permanent object before you return it, it is a fault for the team that could not return it (definitions in Section 2, 10.C.5).