Pickleball Rules Refresher: Distractions

I witnessed a group of competitive guys playing pickleball one evening, and was surprised when 1 player yelled a "MISS" at the opposing player who was about to hit a shot. Later the other team tried to distract the server by waving their arms ferociously. I know that fair play & sportsmanship would not me to do this. Is this type of strategy or distraction legal as far as pickleball rules? According to IFP rules 12.H. it states, "Distractions. Players may not yell, stamp their feet, or otherwise try to distract an opponent when the opponent is about to play the ball. In Doubles, team communication shall not normally be considered a distraction. However, loud communication at the time the opponent is about to strike the ball may be considered a distraction. If, in the judgment of the referee, a distraction has occurred, it shall result in the loss of the rally." So if I yell to my partner to "LET IT BOUNCE" or "SOFT SHOT", "DOWN THE LINE" , those are allowed as partner communication. Full on distraction towards the other team, be it yelling, waving arms, or stamping your feet...NOPE!

Pickleball Rules Refresher: Hitting the wall faults

Let's say you are at your local recreation center playing pickleball, and your ball strikes the wall or ceiling or net post after you struck the ball, yet lands in the opponents court. What does the rules say? According to IFP rules section 7.G.  it states,  If the ball in play hits a permanent object before it bounces on the court, it is a fault. (revised April 1, 2011) So If I fire a lob skyward and it hits the rafters, or in some centers a light, it is a fault. Ball is dead! Even if I hit the net post slightly, it is still a fault. But if I was to hit a ball, it landed cleanly on my opponents side, then hits a wall, ceiling etc. I win the rally.

Pickleball Rules Refresher: Policing the Kitchen (NVZ)

How many of us have been playing pickleball, when some well meaning person tells us: KITCHEN!" We look down and our feet:

1. Aren't even close.
2. Caught in the Kitchen (NVZ)

Like I've mentioned before the kitchen or NVZ is the hardest place for new and intermediate players to stay out of, so in a practice setting having someone remind us it's great, I think?  I know for myself when I'm playing with a better intermediate player in doubles, and in the throes of back-and-forth volleys and smashes, and I know my partner is right beside me, I am honestly not looking at his feet, or my feet for that matter. But then their is a voice through the haze that shouts, "KITCHEN!" Our opponent yells that my partner stepped on the kitchen or NVZ line. Can he do that?

Looking at the IFP rules in section 6.D.1, it states, "Players will call the lines on their side of the court, excluding the non-volley zone if being called by a referee." 6.D.2. also adds, "The opponent gets the benefit of the doubt on line calls made."

In a regular practice session if there is a kitchen offender then gently remind them of their fault, or play with them keeping them in control. As the rule states that a referee is usually calling the NVZ line, but what if it's not a medal game in Canada where we don't have referees for every match, who makes the call?