How Many Timeouts in Pickleball? Two per Game to 11 or 15, Three to 21

Time-outs are counted game by game, not across the whole match. In the 2026 rulebook they moved to Section 21, inside Part III, which covers tournament play only. Many older guides still quote Section 10 numbers from earlier editions.

Standard time-outs by game length

Game played to	Standard time-outs per player or team	Max length each	Rule
11 points	2	1 minute	21.A, 21.A.5
15 points	2	1 minute	21.A, 21.A.5
21 points	3	1 minute	21.A, 21.A.5

You cannot call a standard time-out before the match starts (Rule 21.A.1). You can use your remaining standard time-outs after a medical time-out ends (Rule 21.A.4).

How to call a timeout the legal way

Any player may call a time-out between rallies, before the next serve, or between games. Under Rule 21.A.2 the call must be audible (by voice) or visible (by hand signal), and directed at the opponents and the referee. Two mistakes cost you:

• Calling it after the serve is hit. That is a fault against you (Rule 21.A.2.a).
• Calling it without a clear voice or hand signal. The referee may give a verbal warning or a technical warning for delay of game (Rule 21.A.2.b).

When the minute is nearly up, the referee announces a 15-second warning, then calls "time in" and the score (Rules 21.A.6 and 17.D.16). From that score call, the server has 10 seconds to serve or it is a fault (Rule 6.D).

Between games, you can ask to use one or both standard time-outs before the next game starts. Tell the referee first. Your time-out starts right after the between-game break ends, and it is charged if you use any part of it (Rule 21.A.3). If you are ready to play before it begins, it is not charged. In matches without a referee, notify your opponents instead (Rule 24.E).

The other breaks that are not your standard time-outs

Break	When	Max length	Rule
End change time-out	Single game or tie-breaker game: at 6 points (game to 11), 8 (to 15) or 11 (to 21)	1 minute	21.B
Medical time-out	Once per player per match	15 minutes	21.C
Referee time-out	Blood, debris, water or a possible medical problem	Referee decides	21.D
Equipment time-out	When the referee decides a fix is needed for fair, safe play	Reasonable duration	21.E
Between games	After each game; change ends and initial service	2 minutes	21.F
Between matches	Includes a tie-breaker match for a title	10 minutes	21.G

After an end change time-out, the same server keeps serving (Rule 21.B.4). If the players forget to switch at the right score, they switch as soon as anyone notices, with no fault and no change to the score (Rule 21.B.7).

Medical timeout rules

A medical time-out can be requested during a match, including between games, but not before the match starts (Rules 21.C and 21.C.1). The referee summons on-site medical staff, or the Tournament Director when none is available (Rule 21.C.5). The 15-minute timer starts when that help arrives, and transport time to an off-court treatment area is not counted (Rules 21.C.6 and 21.C.7).

If you are able to play again in less than 15 minutes, the unused medical time is gone for the rest of the match (Rule 21.C.8). If you cannot continue when the 15 minutes run out, you must retire, though you can use your remaining standard time-outs first to buy more time (Rule 21.C.9).

Ways to lose a timeout without calling one

• Rescinding a medical time-out after medical staff have been called but before they arrive charges you a standard time-out instead (Rule 21.C.4).
• An invalid medical time-out, where staff find no valid medical condition, brings a technical warning and a charged standard time-out (Rule 21.C.10).
• Rescinding an appeal of a referee's ruling to the Head Referee or Tournament Director charges a standard time-out (Rule 20.J.1).
• Losing that appeal, when the Head Referee agrees with the referee, brings a technical warning and a charged standard time-out (Rule 20.J.2).

If you have no standard time-outs left in those cases, the referee assesses a technical foul. A technical foul takes one point off your score, or adds one to your opponent's score if you have zero (Rule 22.E.1).

Coaching only happens during timeouts

Outside of time-outs and the breaks between games, players may not receive coaching from anyone other than a partner. Illegal coaching can bring a verbal or technical warning (Rules 20.G and 20.G.1). That makes your standard time-outs the main chance to hear from a coach during a game.

Recreational play

Because Section 21 sits in Part III, the tournament rules, these limits apply to sanctioned events. In open play or a casual game there is no referee to run a clock, so players simply agree on breaks. If you want to practice tournament habits, call time-outs between rallies and keep them to a minute.

For scoring between time-outs, see how to score pickleball singles, and use our pickleball score keeper to track the score and server on your phone (it does not count time-outs, so note those separately). For the faults that can cost you a rally, see what is not allowed in pickleball.