Pickleball Rules, Refs & Controversial Calls with Courtney Johnson

If you’ve ever played pickleball, you know how fast things can get heated- bad line calls, foot faults, and that one player who lobs every single shot. 

But have you ever wondered what it’s like to be the person making the tough calls? That’s exactly what we’re diving into on this episode!

We got to sit down with Courtney Johnson, the Head of Competition for Major League Pickleball (MLP) and one of the most respected referees in the game. She’s been a USA Pickleball certified referee since 2018, has officiated some of the biggest matches in pro pickleball, and even had to stand her ground against John McEnroe at the Pickleball Slam.

Courtney shares how she went from a casual rec player to one of the most well-known refs in the sport, breaks down the viral “Two Becomes One” rule, and explains why MLP switched from rally scoring to side-out scoring. We also get into the biggest mistakes rec players make, the best way to handle bad line calls and lobbers, and whether pickleball is still the inclusive, welcoming sport we all love or if it's becoming too exclusive.

Plus, there’s an exclusive giveaway you won’t want to miss! If you love pickleball tips, pro pickleball insights, and fun conversations, join us for this episode!

Cheers, Casie & Lauren

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