Line call etiquette

In a match with no referee, or with a referee but no line judges, players make their own line calls (8.A, 19.B). The basic idea is "when in doubt, give it to your opponent" (8.D).

Call your own side

• Your team calls the balls that land in your own court (8.A)
• In doubles, either partner may make the call (8.A)
• The opponents call the balls that land in their court (8.A)

Out only when you see a gap

• You may call a ball out only when you clearly see a gap between the ball and the line (8.E)
• If you could not see it, or you are not confident, it is in (8.D)

If you and your partner disagree

If one of you saw it "out" and the other saw it "in," it is in (8.H). The 2026 change makes this clear by describing it as a case where the two players' calls conflict (USA Pickleball).

You may ask your opponents

If your team did not see the ball well, you may ask the opponents for their opinion (8.I).

• If the opponents make a clear call, you go with it (8.I)
• If they are not sure either, your team's first call stands. If you made no call, the ball is in (8.I)
• You may ask only until the next serve is hit (8.I)

Don't ask spectators

You must not ask people watching around the court to make the call (8.J). The 2026 change made this stronger, from "should not" ask to "must not" ask (USA Pickleball).

Call "out" right away

• If you returned the ball that was out → make the call before the opponent hits it, or before the rally ends (8.F.3)
• If you did not return it → make the call as soon as the ball lands (8.F.3)

With the 2026 change, you must also make the call "right away" when you did not return the ball. Before, you could call it up until the next serve (USA Pickleball).

Correcting a call against yourself is OK

If you called "out" and then realize the ball was really in, you may correct the call in your opponents' favor (8.G).

How to make the call

When you decide a ball is out, tell your opponents right away. You can do it in any of these ways (8.F):

• Say "out" out loud
• Give a hand signal
• Both voice and hand signal

If you hit the ball back yourself, you must make the call before the opponent's next hit (or before the rally ends). Otherwise play just continues. If you let the ball go by, a call made right away is accepted, even after the rally is over (8.F.3).