Pickleball / Topic 15
Paddle contact during a rally
USA Pickleball / GPF · 2026In short
Use and carry only one paddle during a rally, and keep possession of it when striking the ball. Either hand or both hands may hold it. Catching or carrying the ball on the paddle is a fault.
The rule
Use and carry only one paddle during a rally, and keep possession of it when striking the ball. Either hand or both hands may hold it. Catching or carrying the ball on the paddle is a fault.
In practice
Multiple contacts can be legal if made by one player in one continuous stroke in a single direction. Both partners striking the ball is a fault. A ball touching the hand below the wrist while that hand holds the paddle is treated differently from other body contact.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. This guide follows the supplied 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, Global Pickleball Federation edition. Its standard rules cover singles and doubles; tournament and adaptive sections add specific modifications.
Sources & approach ↗
Sources & approach ↗