2025 is on its way, which means USA Pickleball rule changes are also coming.

So what are the big rules changes in pickleball for 2025 and how can you be prepared for the changes? These 2025 USA Pickleball rule changes are most relevant for rec pickleball players. You can read all the approved rule changes here.

Rule 6.C.4. Spectator line calls

The rule change changes from: “Spectators should not be consulted on any line call” to “Spectators shall not be consulted on any line call.” The goal is to tell players they are not allowed to ask for, or accept, any spectator input.

Reasoning behind the change:

According to USA Pickleball: “The alternative wording prevents both soliciting or accepting spectator input. (We all know that line calls get volunteered which is not helpful).”

In other words, spectators are still not allowed to offer their line call opinions, but players are now also not allowed to accept that input.

Rule 4.C.2. Not ready signals

This rule change will allow a player on the non-serving team to use “verbal indicators” (such as “stop” and “wait”) to tell the serving team they are not ready after the start of the score being called. Previously, this was supposed to be ignored and the serve will have continued. “Not ready” signals will continue to be ignored by the server.

Reasoning behind the change:

According to USA Pickleball: “In the spirit of good sportsmanship and fair play, the rules support a rally not starting when a player is obviously not ready. This rule change will formally allow a way for players to indicate they are not ready during that pre-serve time and also codify a manner to stop play during a rally. Recognizing a verbal play stoppage will readily resolve who should be faulted in situations where a live ball is physically stopped in response to a player’s verbal urgings to stop play.”

Rules 9.B.1, 9.B.2., and 9.H. The volley

The rules changes related to the pickleball volley clarifies what a volley is, as well as momentum’s place in all of it. The rule previously said that “The act of volleying the ball includes the swing, the follow-through, and the momentum from the action.”

The rule will now say that “The act of volleying begins when the ball is struck out of the air before bouncing (volleyed) and ends when the player’s movement from the follow-through action (momentum) stops.”

The biggest change in this rule is that the volley no longer includes “the swing” — but now starts with “the strike of the ball.” The rule change also adds clarification about an often-confusing point about what momentum is and when it stops.

Although it is still not a violation if a player volleys a ball while their partner is standing in the non-volley zone, the 2025 rule changes adds: “as long as the partners, including anything the partners are wearing or carrying, do not contact each other during the act of volleying.”

Reasoning behind the change:

USA Pickleball said: “Removing ‘the swing’ makes it consistent with current rule 9.D, which addresses the push-off scenario. A fault under current Rule 9.D is determined by the strike of the ball (i.e., the volley), not the entire act of volleying. In addition, the change to 9.B.1 is an editorial change to better describe that the act of volleying ends when momentum stops.”

USA Pickleball also wanted to clarify that partners cannot touch each other if one is volleying and the other is standing in the kitchen (non-volley zone).

Rules 13.D.1.c and 7.O. Calling a fault

Players may still call non-volley zone and service foot faults on their opponents’ end of the court (Rule 13.D.1.c.). However, the current rule: “If there is any disagreement among players about the called foot fault, a replay shall occur” in 2025 will change “players” to “teams.” So it will now read: “If there is any disagreement among teams about the called foot fault, a replay shall occur”

The rule change also adds rule 7.O., which says that any disagreement between partners on a fault call will be decided to the benefit of their opponents.

Reasoning behind the change:

USA Pickleball: “The wording ‘any disagreement among players’ in 13.D.1.c. may reasonably be interpreted that if partners disagree, then it is a replay. Replacing those words with ‘any disagreement between teams’ makes it clear that disagreement between partners is not grounds for a replay.”

The purpose of the change is that, when partners disagree, the benefit of that doubt should go to their opponents. “The addition of proposed rule 7.O makes it crystal clear that the principle should be applied to all fault calls where partners may disagree.”

Rule 13.D.1.a. Calling a fault on your partner

The 2025 rule change adds the words “or their partner” to the rule that says “In the spirit of good sportsmanship, players are expected to call any type of fault on themselves as soon as the fault is committed or detected. The fault call must happen before the next serve occurs.”

Reasoning behind the change:

Current USA Pickleball rules do not currently allow for a player to call a fault on their partner. This change will allow them to do so.

Rule 2.E.5.c. Pickleball paddle autographs

Currently, the rule only allows pen markings that are for identification purposes (name, signature, phone, email address). The rule change will also allow for autographs. 

Reasoning behind the change:

Many amateur players collect autographs from pro pickleball players on their paddles, without realizing this could disqualify them from a sanctioned event or tournament. As long as it does not alter the surface of the paddle face, autographs are now allowed.

Appendix.8. Prevent a paddle from dominating the sport

This rule change will add “one paddle” to the guiding principle that says: “Preserve the unique features and rules of the sport involving the Non-Volley Zone and the two-bounce rule and prevent one shot, one paddle, or type of play from dominating the sport” in the USA Pickleball appendix.

Reasoning behind the change:

According to USA Pickleball: “Powerful paddles have altered the speed of the game. This should not be allowed for safety reasons primarily, and it should not be allowed for a player to buy their chances of success.”

Rule 4.A.5. Serve changes

Previously, this rule said that “the serve shall be made with only one hand releasing the ball.” The new change amends it so it allows you to release the ball with the paddle as well. You are still not allowed to impart spin on the ball, either from your hand or your paddle.

If you utilize the drop serve, you may allow the ball to roll off the face of the paddle by gravity only.

Reasoning behind the change:

USA Pickleball: “By clarifying in the first sentence of the rule that either the hand or the paddle may be used to release the ball for a serve, all of the exceptions can be removed, since they are no longer exceptions. Also clarifies that spin/manipulation can not be imparted as a result of the release, eliminating existing confusion as to whether spin can be imparted to the ball as a result of the serve itself.”

Rule 3.A.38. Server positioning

The rule changes eliminate the last sentence of the definition of the server: “The player who initiates a rally. Depending on the team’s score, it is possible that the player who serves may not be the correct server.” The rule change also adds text to the first sentence so it says:

“The player who initiates a rally by serving the ball. The correct server in doubles is the player whose correct position is determined by their score and starting position in the game (see Rule 4.B.6.b).”

Reasoning behind the change:

The wording of this rule has always been one of the most confusing, so the rule change clarifies that the server is simply the player who initiates the rally by serving the ball.

These rule changes are only a few of the dozens of approved rules changes for 2025. You can read all the approved rules & rule changes here.