How to Referee a Pickleball Match: A Practical Guide for New Officials

Before the match

• Check you have the right match, court and players.
• Confirm each player's name and which team they are on.
• Check paddles and balls if the event requires approved equipment.
• Run the coin toss (or equivalent). The winner chooses to serve, receive or pick an end. The other team takes the remaining choice.
• Note who is the first server, and where each player starts.
• Explain any event-specific rules, such as game length or timeouts.

Calling the score

Call the score clearly before every serve. In doubles, that is three numbers: serving team's score, receiving team's score and server number. The first call of the game is 0-0-2. Make sure players are ready before you call, and do not let the server serve before the call is complete.

If you need a refresher, read how to keep score in pickleball.

Tracking server and positions

Most scoring errors come from lost positions. Use the even and odd check: when a team's score is even, the player who served first for that team should be on the right. Before each serve, check the correct player is serving from the correct side. If there is an error, correct it before the serve. Once the ball is served, the rally stands.

Faults the referee watches for

• Service faults: an illegal serve motion, foot faults, or serving from the wrong side or out of turn.
• Non-volley zone faults: volleying from inside the kitchen or stepping into it after a volley.
• Two-bounce rule faults: volleying before the ball has bounced once on each side.
• Net faults: touching the net or the opponent's court during a rally.

Line calls are often made by the players on their own side unless line judges are assigned. Know what your event expects, and only overrule a line call where the rules allow it.

Managing the match

• Track timeouts and keep them to the allowed length.
• Have teams change ends at the midpoint of the game where the rules require it, for example when the first team reaches 6 in a game to 11.
• Keep changeovers between games short.
• Stay calm and neutral. Explain decisions briefly and move on.
• Call the tournament director for anything you cannot resolve, such as injuries or appeals.

After the match

1. Confirm the final score of every game with both teams.
2. Record the result, including walkovers or retirements.
3. Report it to the tournament desk straight away so the next matches can be called.

With a referee console, recording and reporting happen together. The result updates the bracket, standings and live score for spectators the moment the match ends.