» RUSTY: Hi! Welcome to a new episode of Pickleball 411. I'm Rusty,
and this show from Pickleball Channel is all about providing helpful
information about the sport of pickleball. This week we're going to talk about
calling non-volley zone foot faults and why it can be helpful. So,
let's learn and play. ♪♪ upbeat music ♪♪
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♪♪ music fades ♪♪ » ANNOUNCER: Pickleball 411 is powered by Hyland's Leg Cramps.
Proud supporter of pickleball players everywhere. »RUSTY: Calling a foot fault
may seem pretty basic, but actually quite a few questions have been raised
with a little controversy. So, we wanted to clarify it for you. Now this
information is only needed when you're playing without a referee, but it will
get you into better shape for when you do play in a tournament or in league play
where referees are present. Now, just to be clear, we're only
going to go over who calls foot faults and why it's helpful.
We're not going to get into the details of the non-volley zone rules itself.
So, let's break it down one step at a time. ♪♪ lively music ♪♪
Many people think the non-volley zone, or the kitchen
as it's commonly called, includes the 3D space, or the air space,
above the court. Actually, the non-volley zone is only
the 2-D, flat surface on the court itself, which includes
the lines all the way to their very edges. Kitchen faults
are only related to making physical contact with the surface itself.
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In the USAPA rule book when there are no referees or line judges present,
each player calls his or her own line calls. This
has led some people to believe that only you are allowed to make a call on anything on your
side of the court. However, a foot fault is not a line call,
and it falls under a separate category. Therefore, kitchen foot
faults are open such that either team can make the call. And
if we're honest, the opponent may have a better view of whether or not I
committed a foot fault because I'm concentrating on the ball.
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Okay, even though the opponent can call the foot fault, we have to remember that
pickleball is a sport of integrity and good sportsmanship. We want
to focus on playing the game and improving everyone's level of play
and not just calling foot faults in order to win. If there is a disagreement,
be polite. Don't get into a big argument. Just agree to
replay the point. And when you call a foot fault, just say, "Excuse me,
foot fault," or let the point finish and then call it.
Also, be sensitive to throwing off someone's game play by continuously calling foot faults.
The purpose for calling foot faults in recreational play
is to improve the game for everyone. ♪♪ lively music ♪♪
♪♪ lively music ♪♪ So, how does calling foot faults
help improve your game? Well, when we call each other's foot faults,
we learn better body position and muscle memory. We learn how far forward
we can go on the court and where to place our feet. Then, when it really
counts, as in a tournament or league play, we are already
practiced and prepared to not commit foot faults. And
if you need help, ask somebody who is waiting to play to be a kitchen judge.
Remember, if we help each other in practice, then we
all help elevate the sport itself. ♪♪ lively music ♪♪
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So that's your Pickleball 411 for today. Thank you so much to the USAPA
for helping us fine-tune and clarify who's allowed to actually
call a kitchen foot fault. We really hope this has been helpful, and now there's only
one thing left to do, and that's go play! ♪♪ upbeat music ♪♪
»ANNOUNCER: If there's something you think Pickleball 411 should cover,
we'd love to hear from you. All you have to do is send us an email and tell us your idea.
This episode of Pickleball 411 has been brought to you by
Hyland's Leg Cramps. America's #1 over-the-counter leg cramp medicine.
For more information, go to Hylands.com.
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