The net used to be a simple barrier between two sides of the court. Now it's a place where players are finding loopholes and pushing the limits of what's technically allowed.
Pickleball has a reputation for being a sport with easy-to-learn rules, but that doesn't mean there aren't loopholes.
In fact, some of the game's most interesting gray areas exist right at the net, where the rules can get surprisingly nuanced.
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We recently tested one of the pickleball's biggest rule quirks, live and on-court with USA Pickleball referee Ron Ponder – and the findings might surprise you.
The Setup: When Your Opponent's Spin Works Against Them Picture this scenario: your opponent hits the ball over the net with enough topspin that it bounces on your side and immediately comes back over before you even have a chance to react.
It's one of those moments where the ball seems to have a mind of its own, and you're left scrambling to figure out what to do. It's rare, sure, but it does happen.
The Dink Founder and CEO Thomas Shields has a clever hack, and posed it to Ponder.
Turns out, you're actually allowed to reach your paddle underneath the net to make contact with that ball, as long as you don't hit the net itself or touch the court .
The ball just needs to bounce off your paddle—you don't even have to hit it cleanly. Any contact will do. With a little foresight ... FULL ARTICLE FOUND ON: https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/its-actually-legal-to-hit-this-shot-from-underneath-the-net/
