While technical fouls and penalties have always been a part of the USA Pickleball rulebook, 2025 rule changes now allow for points to be awarded before a pickleball game even starts. But first, what is a verbal warning, technical warning, and technical foul in pickleball?
Rule 13.G. Verbal Warnings, Technical Warnings and Technical Fouls
13.G.1. Verbal Warning and Technical Warnings
Referees are allowed to issue a verbal warning or technical warning to a player or team. Some of the actions or behavior that can result in a verbal or technical warning:
- Objectionable language directed at another person.
- Profanity (audible or visible).
- Arguing aggressively with the officiating team, other players, or spectators.
- Ball abuse (aggressively or purposely breaking or stepping on the ball) or hitting the ball between rallies.
- Taking time between rallies in a way that unnecessarily disrupts the flow of play.
- Repeatedly appealing line calls.
- Challenging the referee’s decision or ruling and losing the challenge.
- Requesting a medical time-out without a valid medical condition.
- Actions that are considered minor unsportsmanlike behavior, including making repeated questionable ‘out’ calls that.
- Except during time-outs and in-between games, receiving coaching from anyone other than a partner.
13.G.2. Technical Fouls
Referees are allowed to call technical fouls, which will result in one point being removed from the offending player/team. If their score is zero, a point will be added to the score of the opposing side. Some of the actions or behavior that can result in a technical foul (without a technical warning being issued beforehand):
- Aggressively or recklessly throwing a paddle in frustration or anger.
- Using extremely objectionable language or profanity.
- Making a threat toward or against any person.
- Challenging the referee’s decision or ruling and losing the challenge when no timeout is available.
- Any other actions that are considered extreme unsportsmanlike behavior.
- Requesting a medical time-out without a valid medical condition, with no time-outs remaining.
- Deliberately throwing or hitting a ball that is not in play with negligent disregard, which inadvertently hits a person.
13.G.3. Effect of Technical Fouls & Technical Warnings
When assessing a technical warning or technical foul, the player or team should always be given an explanation of the reason. Some other things that should happen when being issues a technical warning or foul:
- A technical warning will not result in a loss of rally or point awarded.
- Two technical warnings will result in a technical foul being issued to the player/team.
- A technical foul will result in one point being removed from the score of the offending player/team.
- If their score is zero, a point will be added to the score of the opposing side.
- After the point is removed or awarded, the player or team losing or awarded the point must move to the correct position(s) that reflects their score.
- A technical warning or technical foul should not have an effect on server change or side out.
- Verbal warnings, technical warnings, and technical fouls can be assessed any time the players are at the court, including during warm-up time.
- Play shall not be stopped to assess a warning or foul.
- The assessment of the warning or foul shall be applied after the rally has ended.
13.G.4. Technical Warnings & Fouls After a Game Is Over
In 2025, USA Pickleball added a new rule to 13.G addressing what happens if a player deserves a technical warning or foul — but the match has already ended.
13.G.4. Behavior raising to the level of a warning or foul after the match is over while a player is still on court shall be brought to the attention of the Tournament Director. Based on this information, the Tournament Director may impose a Verbal Warning, Technical Warning, or Technical Foul that will be applied to the offending player’s next match at the tournament.
Previously, if a player received a technical warning or foul after a game had ended, there would be no consequence. But the 2025 addition of 13.G.4. will give a point to their opponent in their next game.
So if you ever show up to a game and are told the score will start with 1-0, then you know your opponent did something bad after their last game.