The Fine Art of Calling the Ball In or Out (While Staying Friends)
Master the art of line calls with confidence, fairness, and just the right amount of diplomacy.
We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of a perfectly good game, everyone’s having fun, and then—uh oh—a ball lands just close enough to the line that nobody wants to be the one to call it. Do you say “Out!” with confidence? Do you hesitate and risk looking uncertain? Do you just stare at your partner, hoping they’ll make the call so you don’t have to?
Calling the ball in or out is one of the great social tightropes of pickleball. Do it right, and you’re a trustworthy, respected member of the court. Do it wrong, and suddenly you’re that player—the one people side-eye when you walk onto their court. So how do you master this essential skill without making enemies? Let’s discuss.
Step One: The Rule is the Rule (Even If You Don’t Like It)
According to the official rules, if there’s any doubt about whether the ball is in or out, it’s in. Period. This means if you think it might have been out but didn’t see it clearly, you have to give the benefit of the doubt to your opponent. Is this annoying sometimes? Yes. But it’s also what keeps games friendly and fair.
This also means that if you’re one of those people who calls everything out the second it’s near a line, take a step back. If you didn’t see space between the ball and the line, it wasn’t out. And if you’re calling balls out before they even land? Well, maybe take a little break and go grab a snack.
Step Two: Say It with Confidence (and a Smile)
The key to making a call without ruffling feathers is confidence without smugness. If it’s out, say it clearly:
🗣️ “Out!”
Not: “Uhhhh, I think it was out?” (Cue the debate.)
Not: “Yeah, nice try.” (Cue the resentment.)
Not: stares at partner until they say something (Cue the awkwardness.)
A quick, neutral “Out!” is all you need. If your opponent looks skeptical, you can add a polite, “Yep, I saw space.” But that’s it. No need for a PowerPoint presentation on your line-calling expertise.
Step Three: Read the Room (and the Players)
Some people take line calls very seriously. Some people don’t care at all. Most fall somewhere in between. If you’re playing with ultra-competitive types, be extra clear and fair in your calls—no funny business. If it’s a laid-back game, don’t get worked up over a questionable call. Nobody likes the person who ruins a perfectly fun game over one point.
And if you’re playing with someone who always calls the ball in their favor? Well… it’s probably time for a water break.
Step Four: Accept That Sometimes, You’ll Just Disagree
Even if you do everything right, someone is going to think you got it wrong at some point. That’s just part of the game. If a call is really close and you aren’t sure, offer to replay the point. If they still argue? Smile, nod, and move on. Life is too short to fight about pickleball line calls (unless you’re playing for a million dollars, in which case, carry on).
At the end of the day, the best pickleball players aren’t just good at hitting the ball—they’re good at keeping the game fun. Call the ball fairly, don’t make a scene, and remember: nobody likes a line-call lawyer. Keep it simple, keep it honest, and keep playing.