Wheelchair

Summary wheelchair rules

The following is a quick reference guide for wheelchair players and umpires that lists the rules specific to wheelchair play from the USA Pickleball Rulebook 2023.

Section 1 - The Game - Unique Features

Players using a wheelchair may bounce the ball twice before returning it. The second bounce may occur anywhere on the court.

Section 2 - Playing field and equipment

2.A.4 - The recommended playing surface for wheelchair games is 44 feet (13.41 m) wide and 74 feet (22.55 m) long. The size for wheelchair games on a stadium court is 50 feet (15.24 m) wide and 80 feet (24.38 m) long.

Section 3 - Definitions

3.A.46 - Players using wheelchairs - Any person, with or without a disability, who plays the game in a wheelchair. The wheelchair is considered part of the player's body. This may be a player with a disability or anyone who wishes to play in a wheelchair.

Section 4 - The serve, the order of serve and the scoring rules

4.A.4.d - The moment the ball is served: Both back wheels must be on the playing surface behind the baseline and not touching the playing field on or inside the baseline or outside the imaginary extensions of the sideline or centerline.

Section 7 - Error rules

7.E - Failure of a player using a wheelchair to return a ball before it bounces three times on the receiving player's side of the net.

Section 9 - Non-Volley Zone Rules

9.A - All volleys must be initiated outside the volley prohibition zone. For wheelchair users, the front (smaller) wheels may touch the no-volley zone during a volley.

9.B - It is a fault if the volley player or anything in contact with the volley player during the volley touches the non-volley zone. For players using wheelchairs, the front (smaller) wheels may touch the non-volley zone.

9.C - During the volley, it is a fault if the volley player's momentum causes the player to touch anything that touches the non-volley zone, including the player's partner. For players using wheelchairs, the front (smaller) wheels may touch the non-volley zone.

9.D - If the rear wheels of a wheelchair have touched the non-volley zone for any reason, the player using a wheelchair cannot make a volley return until both rear wheels have touched the playing surface outside the non-volley zone.

Section 12 - Guidelines for Approved Tournaments

12.A Event Categories - Wheelchair: Singles and Doubles

12.A.3 - Players using wheelchairs may play in Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles or Mixed Doubles with either stand-up partners or wheelchair doubles.