Unsportsmanlike conduct, including paddle throws, will continue to be addressed in accordance with current UPA-A rules through the remainder of the current PPA Season, and players have been held accountable under those rules.
Under the UPA-A Rulebook, not all paddle throws are treated equally, and context and outcomes matter when determining appropriate penalties. Under the UPA-A Rulebook, the player who was issued a match forfeit for tossing his paddle and making contact with the spectator would have been issued a game forfeit. In this case, the match still would have concluded in favor of the opponent, as it occurred in game three.
Similarly, actions such as blowing the ball over the net, while not currently prohibited, do not align with the level of professionalism and credibility the sport is striving to establish. As Pickleball continues to evolve, players will inevitably test the boundaries of the rules, and no rulebook can anticipate every possible scenario.
Until May 22, 2026, blowing on the ball before or after it has been struck by a paddle remains legal under the current rules. In the instance where this action was penalized, the ruling was made in real time based on the referee’s judgment, experience, and interpretation of the rules.
In all cases, participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with accepted standards of conduct and the spirit of fair play as the sport continues to grow.