MLP Changes Rules of Pickleball: In a significant shift aimed at enhancing the competitive dynamics of the game, Major League Pickleball (MLP) announced on Tuesday that several rule changes will take effect for next week’s event in the nation’s capital. These adjustments come on the heels of the league’s latest event in Atlanta and promise to add new layers of strategy and urgency to the matches.
The most notable of these changes is the requirement that games must be won on serve. While the rally scoring format—where a point is awarded after every rally—remains intact, a critical “freeze” will now be instituted at match point. This means that the leading team must secure victory with a successful serve. This is a reversion to MLP’s earlier format before the “freeze” was removed in Atlanta. The reintroduction of this rule is expected to heighten the tension and excitement as teams strive to clinch their wins in a decisive manner.
Another key change pertains to court arrival times and the associated penalties for tardiness. According to the newly released 2024 MLPlay Rules Guide, teams are required to be present at their designated courts at least ten minutes before their scheduled match time. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a forfeit of all coin toss selections if any team members are not on the court within five minutes of the scheduled start time. This rule underscores MLP’s commitment to maintaining a disciplined and punctual tournament environment.
Additionally, the announcement elaborates on MLP’s distinctive serving rule, which diverges from the serving regulations of both USA Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA). Under the MLP rule, the server may contact the ball at any height relative to their body, provided that their arm is moving in an upward arc at the moment of contact and the paddle head is not positioned above the wrist joint. This serving guideline was introduced during the MLP event in Atlanta and will be in effect for the entirety of the 2024 season.
These rule modifications reflect MLP’s ongoing efforts to refine the sport and ensure an engaging and fair competition. As the league continues to evolve, these changes signify a thoughtful approach to balancing tradition with innovation. With the upcoming event in Washington, D.C., players and fans alike can anticipate a fresh and exciting chapter in the rapidly growing world of professional pickleball.
News In Brief: MLP Changes Rules of Pickleball
Major League Pickleball (MLP) announced significant rule changes for their upcoming event in Washington, D.C., aimed at enhancing competitiveness. Games must now be won on serve, reintroducing a critical “freeze” at match point. Teams must arrive ten minutes before matches or face forfeit penalties. MLP also maintains its unique serving rule, allowing contact at any height relative to the body. These adjustments reflect MLP’s commitment to innovation while ensuring fair and engaging competition.
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