Dear Eric - Out Call Conflict

Dear Me…

OK, so this time I’m writing to myself, answering my own question. I was playing and while the ball was in the air, I called to my partner “out”, meaning let it go, not a line call. One of our opponents said my calling “out” before the ball made contact with the court, was a hindrance and was an automatic loss of the point. She stated it was an official rule.

She did not push the issue, and was trying to “educate” me on this so I didn’t push the point, but I had a pretty strong feeling she was wrong. So what do the rules say? 

According to USA Pickleball’s Official Rule Book, my calling “out” is considered partner communication and not a hindrance or fault. 

“Rule 8.F.4 Partner Communication. While the ball is in the air, any communication between partners about whether a ball might land out is considered player communication, not a line call.”

Pretty cut and dry. However I have been working on my communication and trying to use other words like “let it bounce” which is fine for a slow lob, on those shoulder high drives, I still sometimes shout “out” and probably always will.