Touching the net during play is a fault

While the ball is in play, it is a fault to touch the net or the parts that hold it up (the net support system) (13.G, 13.G.1).

What counts if it touches the net

The rulebook says "the player, or anything the player is wearing or holding" (13.G). That means:

• Your body (hands, feet, knees, and so on)
• Your paddle
• Clothes, hats, and anything else you are wearing
• Anything you are holding

How long must you not touch it?

From the moment the score call starts until the ball becomes a dead ball (13.G, definition of "Live Ball" in Section 2).

• The momentum of your volley makes your paddle touch the net → fault (13.G.1)
• You had finished your shot, but the rally was still going → fault (13.G.1)
• The ball bounced twice in the opponents' court and the rally ended. You touched the net after that → no problem (13.G)

What if you touch the post?

What the rulebook calls a fault is touching the net and the parts that hold it up (13.G.1). The net post is given as an example of a "permanent object" (definition of "Permanent Object" in Section 2), and we could not find a section that directly says what happens if you touch the post. The 2025 edition had a section saying "touching the net post while the ball is in play is a fault," but in the 2026 edition it was replaced by a section about the ball hitting the post or another permanent object (USA Pickleball). In a match with a referee, the referee decides (17.A).

Common mistakes

• "I already hit the ball, so it's fine" is wrong. You must not touch the net while the ball is in play (13.G)
• Right after you hit, your paddle may cross over the net on the follow-through. As long as it does not touch the net, there is no problem (13.I.1, 13.G, You cannot hit the ball before it crosses the net)