Injury, a dropped item, a broken ball: what the rulebook says mid-rally
Short answer: The 2026 rulebook says that when a player is injured, has an equipment or apparel problem, or the ball becomes damaged during a rally, play continues until the end of the rally.
- Missed shot (10.E). If a player completely misses the ball, it remains live.
- Distraction (10.F). You must not distract an opponent who is about to hit the ball.
- Damaged ball (10.G). Play continues; the ball is replaced if all players agree.
- Injury (10.H). Play continues until the end of the rally.
- Equipment or apparel (10.I). Same.
- Item on court (10.J). When something worn or carried by a player lands on that player's end, the ball stays in play, even if it hits the item.
- Between rallies (10.K). Players may quickly hydrate, towel off and adjust equipment as long as the flow of the game is not adversely affected.
The 2026 change document also lists new entries on time-outs and medical time-outs, so check the current rulebook for tournament play. For injury prevention advice see our health guide.
What section 10 covers
Section 10 of the rulebook covers what happens during a rally: bounces, where the ball must land, what the ball may touch, double hits, distractions, and odd situations such as a broken ball or an injury. Several of the rules are very direct about the principle that play continues until the rally ends.
The core rally faults
- Bounces (10.A, 10.B). The serve and the return of serve must each bounce before being returned. A player must return the ball before a second bounce, and failing to do so is a fault (10.B.1).
- Placement (10.C). A return must land on the opponent's end of the court or contact the opponent or something they wear or carry before landing. Landing out of bounds (10.C.1) or on your own side (10.C.2) is a fault.
- Ball hits a player (10.C.3). After the serve, if the ball touches a player or anything they wear or carry, it is a fault against that player. The exceptions are the paddle and the player's hands below the wrist joint while in contact with the paddle.
- Permanent objects (10.C.4, 10.C.5). A ball that hits a permanent object before bouncing on the court is a fault against the hitter. A ball that bounced in your court and then hits a permanent object before you return it is a fault against you.
Double hits and two players hitting (10.D)
A ball may be hit more than once, but the stroke must be continuous in a single direction by one player. A stroke that is not continuous and in a single direction is a fault (10.D.1). It is also a fault if both a player and their partner strike the ball while attempting to return it (10.D.2).
Missed shots and distractions (10.E, 10.F)
A player who completely misses the ball does not end the rally: the ball remains live (10.E). A player must not distract an opponent who is about to hit the ball (10.F).
Unusual situations
Damaged ball (10.G)
If a ball is or becomes broken, cracked, soft or degraded, play continues until the end of the rally. The ball is replaced if all players agree. If all players agree that a broken or cracked ball affected the outcome of the rally, the rally is replayed (10.G.1). If they do not all agree, the result stands. For a ball that is soft or degraded, the result of the prior rally stands (10.G.2).
Injury (10.H) and equipment or apparel problems (10.I)
If a player is injured during a rally, play must continue until the end of the rally. The same applies to an equipment or apparel problem. The rulebook does not stop play mid-rally for either.
Item on court (10.J)
When something worn or carried by a player lands on that player's end of the court, the ball remains in play, even if the ball hits the item. The exception is an item that contacts the non-volley zone as a result of the player volleying the ball (11.A.1).
Between rallies (10.K)
Players may quickly hydrate, towel off, and adjust equipment and apparel between rallies, as long as the flow of the game is not adversely affected.
Related reading
See the two-bounce rule, faults, hinders and replays, and paddle handling rules.
Frequently asked questions
Does play stop if a player is injured mid-rally?
No. Rule 10.H says play must continue until the end of the rally.
What if the ball cracks during a rally?
Play continues to the end of the rally. If all players agree the cracked ball affected the outcome, the rally is replayed (rule 10.G.1).
What if my hat falls on the court during a rally?
The ball remains in play, even if it hits the item (rule 10.J).
Is a double hit always a fault?
Only if the stroke is not continuous and in a single direction (rule 10.D.1).
Sources
Sources checked 14 Oct 2026. Header photo: Players in a gym during a pickleball rally, by U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Eun Jun Choi, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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