Pickleball time-outs and time limits

Time-outs live in Section 21, Time-Outs and Breaks, of the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook. Section 21 sits in Part III, which the rulebook says applies to tournament play; the introduction says Parts I and II apply to all play, including recreational, social and league games. Open play follows posted house rules instead (see open-play etiquette). Until 2025 the same topics were Section 10, which is why older guides cite numbers such as 10.A; this page uses the 2026 numbers and maps the old ones at the end.

Every time-out at a glance

Section 21 sets the counts by game length, not by scoring system; the rally scoring page lists them per rally-scored format. In an 11-point game, standard time-outs alone can add up to 4 minutes (two sides × two time-outs × one minute), which is one reason the bracket calculator pads its match times.

1. A best-of-three match to 11; each game is played to 11, win by 2.
2. Two standard time-outs per side in every game to 11 (21.A), up to one minute each (21.A.5).
3. Up to two minutes between games to change ends (21.F.1).
4. End change time-out in the tie-breaker game when the leader reaches 6 (21.B, 21.B.1), up to one minute (21.B.5).
5. Ten minutes before the next match unless all players agree to start sooner (21.G).
6. A medical time-out (one per player per match, up to 15 minutes) can come in any game or between games (21.C).

Standard time-outs

1. Not before the match. A standard time-out cannot be called before the match starts (21.A.1).
2. Call it between rallies. Any player may call one between rallies, before the next serve, or between games. The call must be audible, a hand signal, or both, directed at the opponent and the referee (21.A.2). The 2026 change document says players may not leave the playing area without clearly calling one.
3. Too late is a fault. Calling a time-out after the serve has been hit is a fault against that player (21.A.2.a). An unclear request can draw a verbal or technical warning for delay (21.A.2.b). Both are on the faults list.
4. Between games. Players may take one or both of the next game's time-outs before it starts by telling the referee. A time-out is charged once any part of it is used, but not if the side is ready before it begins (21.A.3).
5. One minute, then a warning. Each lasts up to one minute (21.A.5). The referee announces when 15 seconds remain, calls "time in," and then calls the score (21.A.6, 17.D.16).

Time-outs are also the one time a player may be coached by someone other than a partner: Rule 20.G bars outside coaching "except during time-outs and between games."

Medical time-outs

• One per player per match (21.C.3), not before the match starts (21.C.1); between games it may be requested before the next game (21.C.2).
• The referee summons help. On-site medical personnel are called, or the Tournament Director if there are none (21.C.5).
• Up to 15 minutes, not counting off-court transport (21.C.6). The clock starts when medical help arrives (21.C.7), and unused time is lost (21.C.8).
• Cannot continue: a retirement is imposed after 15 minutes. The player may first use remaining standard time-outs to extend the time (21.A.4, 21.C.9). In doubles the partner may continue the match; the retired player must leave the playing surface and cannot return. (new wording in 2026).
• Changing your mind: if a player rescinds the request after medical staff are called but before they arrive, a standard time-out is charged instead, or a technical foul for delay if none is left (21.C.4).
• No valid condition: technical warning plus a charged standard time-out, or a technical foul if none remains (21.C.10).

Referee, equipment and end-change time-outs

Referee time-outs (21.D) cover extenuating circumstances: a possible medical situation, a player bleeding or blood on the court (play resumes only after cleanup and the bleeding is controlled), and debris or fluids on the court. Equipment time-outs (21.E.1) are awarded by the referee, of "reasonable duration," when equipment must be changed or adjusted for fair and safe play. Under 25.A.12.a, a player in a non-wheelchair event may switch once per match between standing and wheelchair play, and the switch is treated as an equipment time-out (see wheelchair rules).

End changes happen in single-game matches and tie-breaker games: at 6 in a game to 11, 8 in a game to 15 and 11 in a game to 21 (21.B.1–21.B.3). The same server continues (21.B.4), the change may take up to one minute (21.B.5), and a missed end change is made when someone notices it, with no fault and no change to the score (21.B.7). A weather-shortened 7-point game, allowed for single-game or tie-breaker matches in 2026, changes ends at 4 (15.C.2.d).

The other clocks in a match

A player who is not ready can say so before the score call begins by raising the paddle or free hand above the head or turning fully away from the net (6.A.1). Between games a side may change its starting server if it tells the referee first (21.F.3). A suspended game resumes with the same server, score and remaining time-outs (21.H).

When a time-out is charged as a penalty

Three situations cost a standard time-out, or a technical foul when none is left: losing a ruling challenge, which also brings a technical warning (20.J.2, 22.B.8; see line calls and appeals); withdrawing a request for the Head Referee or Tournament Director after it has been acknowledged (20.J.1), which the change document says stops players from gaining a delay and then withdrawing; and the invalid or rescinded medical time-outs above. Delay of game between rallies can draw a verbal or technical warning (22.B.5).

2025 numbers vs. 2026 numbers

* Pairs listed in USA Pickleball's 2026 change document. The other rows match a 2025 rule, as summarized by PlayPickleball, to the 2026 rule on the same topic. The 2025 rules also gave two standard time-outs per team in games to 11 or 15 and three in games to 21, one minute each, so the counts did not change.

Checklist for tournament players

• Know your count: 2 time-outs per game to 11 or 15, 3 per game to 21, one minute each.
• Call time-outs before the serve, out loud or with a clear hand signal toward the opponent and referee.
• Use time-outs for coaching: outside them and between games only your partner may coach you.
• Count time-outs left before challenging a ruling: a lost challenge costs one.
• Be at the court within 10 minutes of your match being called.
• Serve within 10 seconds of the score call.

Related: the rules summary, the scoring explainer for the score call that starts the 10-second count, and tournament formats for how matches and tie-breakers are scheduled.