Pickleball is a sport that has been growing in popularity over the past few years, with players of all ages and skill levels enjoying the fast-paced, social nature of the game. As with any sport, pickleball rules and scoring are subject to change, and the upcoming 2023 season is no exception. Here are some of the rule and regulation changes you can expect for 2023 pickleball:

• Serve Changes—One of the most significant rule changes for 2023 is the addition of new serve options. Players will now be able to choose between a high or low serve, with the high serve being above the waist and the low serve below the waist. This change aims to increase the variety of serves and add more strategy to the game.

The “spin serve” will no longer be legal. In other words, if you spin the ball as you release it from your hand, it will be a replay / re-serve. As long as you follow other service rules, you are still allowed to hit the ball with a topspin or slice. The new restriction only applies to spinning upon release. This new rule will effectively eliminate the chainsaw serve, where the server places the ball between the paddle and their hand as they release the ball. 

• Fault Changes—There will be some changes to faults in 2023. A player will no longer lose a point for committing a fault on the second serve. Instead, the fault will result in a side out or a point for the receiving team. This change aims to reduce the pressure on players during the second serve and create a fairer playing environment.

• Third Shot Drop Rule—Another significant rule change is the third shot drop rule. This rule will require the third shot to be a drop shot or a soft shot, regardless of the server's position on the court. This change aims to add more strategy to the game and encourage players to use more finesse shots.

• Timeout Changes—In 2023, teams will be allowed two timeouts per game instead of one. This change aims to give teams more opportunities to regroup and strategize during the game.

Equipment time-outs no longer require the use of your team's time-outs and the limitation of "up to 2 minutes" has been replaced with "of reasonable duration". So if the sole of your shoe loosens, not only will you not need to use up one of your time-outs, but as long as you take a “reasonable” amount of time to change into a new pair of shoes, that will be allowed. 

• Inadvertent Touch Rule—Finally, there will be a new rule for inadvertent touches. If a player accidentally touches the ball with any part of their body, it will not be considered a fault, and the game will continue. This change aims to reduce the number of disputed calls and create a fairer playing environment.

Playing Pickleball in Lake Geneva, WI