As leaders in the real estate industry, we value the same principles that drive success in pickleball: precision, strategy, and teamwork. Whether on the court or in the world of real estate, we understand that excellence comes from focus, commitment, and working together to achieve the best results.
By Mark Peifer, USA Pickleball Certified Referee; Past Chairman, USA Pickleball Rules Committee
It’s that time of year again for those who like to follow what is new or different with Official Pickleball Rules. A short description of a few of the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook rule changes for 2025 follows.The 2025 Official Change Document is back after a one-year hiatus for those who are more discriminating and desire additional detail. It shows the 46 rule changes, even the minor editorial changes, with highlighted text to make ‘seeing’ the change easier. It also provides a reason for the changes.
Those who follow rally scoring, know there is more than one way of playing rally-scoring doubles. After about two years of study, however, USA Pickleball has settled on a format for doubles rally scoring. As most know, a point is scored in each rally for all formats of rally scoring. What makes the USA Pickleball format for doubles rally scoring easy to learn is its simplicity and similarity to side-out scoring. The only differences from what we all know from side-out scoring are:
This is a provisional rule; only the second time a rule has been given provisional status. That means it will be in place for a year, and after that, it will be evaluated to either continue as provisional, change, formally adopt, or remove it from play.
If a tournament player does something after a match that rises to the level of a Verbal Warning, Technical Warning, or Technical Foul, the Tournament Director can apply that penalty to the offending player’s next match at the tournament. What is the most likely behavior that could result in this occurrence? Someone throws a paddle after the match is over.
The act of volleying no longer includes the swing of the paddle. Volleying now starts when the player hitting the volley makes contact with the ball. That doesn’t sound very meaningful, but it changes some Non-Volley Zone fault scenarios that were faults in the past but aren’t anymore. Please see Change Document #6 for more details.
Before 2025, the rule about a particular plane of the net fault was unclear. Recall that you can hit the ball, and your continuation from the shot can legally take you past the net plane. However, the rule was unclear whether your partner could cross the plane of the net on a shot you hit. The rule change clarifies that the continuation provision only applies to the player who hits the ball and is only associated with the current strike of the ball (not one or more shots previously).
If a team or player either withdraws, retires, or is forfeited during a round robin format, three things now occur:
Any disagreement between you and your opponent about fault calls will be decided to benefit your opponents. This change aligns with the rule about line calls; as most know, any disagreement between you and your partner about a line call is decided to the benefit of your opponents, i.e., the ball is ‘in.’ The same now applies to faults. Oh, and by the way, you are now expected, by rule, to call faults on your partner if, for some reason, they don’t call it on themselves.
Round-robin tie-breaker procedures return to the method used in 2023 and earlier. This means that if three or more teams are tied in head-to-head results and the tie-breaker method becomes point differential, all teams will be ranked by point differential, and the medal winners or teams advancing to the medal round will be determined according to that ranking.
Pickleball is a fast-paced, fun sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Played on a smaller court (similar in size to a badminton court), it involves hitting a lightweight perforated plastic ball over a 36-inch-high net using solid paddles. The game can be played in singles or doubles and combines strategy, quick reflexes, and precise placement.
Sponsoring this incredible event is part of our ongoing commitment to fostering community and encouraging an active, healthy lifestyle. Just as we strive to match individuals and families with their dream homes, we are equally dedicated to promoting events that bring people together, support athleticism, and inspire both participants and spectators alike.
This sponsorship aligns perfectly with our values of integrity, professionalism, and making a positive impact. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, seasoned investor, or looking to sell, we bring the same competitive spirit and dedication to achieving your real estate goals. We invite you to join us in celebrating the passion and athleticism of pickleball while exploring the exciting real estate opportunities in Boca Raton and beyond.
Pickleball's popularity skyrocketed due to its easy-to-learn rules, making it accessible for all ages and skill levels. Its low-impact nature appeals to older adults, while its social and friendly atmosphere brings communities together. The sport offers both fun for beginners and strategic depth for more experienced players. With more courts being built and organized tournaments gaining traction, pickleball's reach continues to grow worldwide.
