England Pickleball League 2025/2026 rules version control

Version What’s changed Date Author

3.0 1 st release prior to SEPL Round 1 22/08/25 Martin Smith

3.1 Rule 17. Adding ‘Game Points Won’ to be the 4 th metric in

deciding division positions.

02/10/25 Martin Smith

3.2 Rule 22. Towards the end of the rule where stacking is

referenced: correcting statement of there definitely being a

serve violation for incorrect positioning on serve. Depending

on the specific circumstances, the point may need to be

replayed or there being a fault.

For info the current precise rule for non-ref’d matches (this is

not set out in the rules) is:

“If the correct server or correct receiver is not in their

correct position when the score is called, a player may stop

the rally in progress to identify the player/position error and

the rally shall be replayed.

If the correct server or correct receiver is not in their correct

position when the score is called and the rally is played out,

the rally shall stand.

If a player stops a rally and incorrectly identifies a

player/position error, it is a fault on the player who stopped

the rally.”

27/11/25 Martin Smith

3.2 New Rule 34. Approved Paddles.

EPL is a PbE sanctioned event and uses the list of approved

paddles as per USA Pickleball. Hyperlink to the list of

approved paddles included.

Any points played before a paddle is identified as illegal

stand. The alternative is to award all points where the illegal

paddle have been used to the opposition however the

rationale for not doing that is that it could be a an innocent

mistake, and how far back would the LDs have to look. So

view is to correct the situation going forward once the

‘mistake’ is known.

27/11/25 Martin Smith

3.2 Line Calls and Spectators

Rule 26 has been updated to include the advisory warning

that players are expected to adhere to the PbE Code of

Conduct which includes whilst spectating. That includes

27/11/25 Martin Smith

“Positive Engagement” which means “Spectators are

encouraged to cheer positively but must not attempt to

influence calls, disrupt play or intimidate players.”

Anyone found repeatedly breaking the code of conduct,

including interfering with lines calls, may be asked to leave

the venue.

3.2 Running out of time in a game e.g. venue closing.

Rule 26 has been updated to declare the individual game a

draw and for each team to get half a game point each. The

overall match is still determined by the sum of games points,

including half points.

27/11/25 Martin Smith

3.2 Rule 27. Things to be completed before a round

With the use of Picklebook it is no longer absolutely

necessary for teams to notify the LLDs of which players are

attending from their squad 24 hours before a round.

However, in the interests of making the LLDs life easier on

the day it still makes sense to have any additions to the

squads take place at least 24 hours before a round. This

allows for eligibility of the players to be established in

advance.

Hence it is not allowed for players to just turn up on the day

and be added to a squad and play.

If LLDs still wish to know who is turning up on the day (or

need to know for venue purposes) they can include a