The clock matters only a couple times in pickleball. 

The entire score must be called before the server begins his or her service motion. When all players are in place, and the score has been called, the server is permitted 10 seconds to serve the ball. If you can’t manage that, it’s a fault against you. So don’t overthink it.

During a typical game, each team is allowed two timeouts of up to one minute each. Some players use this time to regroup. Others answer their phones.

Medical timeouts are more generous. An injured player may take up to 15 minutes to recover, although we know the second someone limps off one of our courts, an anxious standby will step in. If you get injured, try to show some blood. You are permitted a time out for as long as it takes to stop the bleeding!

Bev writes a weekly email blast for our pickleball club. She delivers the rules with clarity and a sense of humor. If you have a rules question post it in the comments below.