Pickleball

LEAGUE FORMAT All teams will compete in the regular season and top teams advance to the playoffs.  The number of playoff teams will be determined by the total number of teams in the league. All matches are doubles play. As a co-ed league, male and female players are welcome and there are no male/female player minimum requirements.

• Paddles will be provided to those players who need to borrow paddles. Players may bring their own paddles. Balls will be provided.
• Each team will play two matches each week.
• Teams will have 10 minutes from the start of their designated match time to gather all of their teammates to start the game.  If the entire team isn’t there by 10 minutes after the designated match time the first game will go to the opposing team.
• If after 15 minutes there aren't enough players for a league game the opposing team will win the match. If teams are short players they have the option to pick up players from within the league to keep from forfeiting the game. A minimum of one player from the team's roster must be present to field a team. Picking up a 2nd player from within the league to play a game is allowed at the discretion of the official. 
• All players must wear a SPORTSKIND league shirt or a SPORTSKIND Championship shirt and have signed the online waiver.  If any team member isn’t in their league shirt the opposing team will be given 1 point (per player) before the start of the first game.

THE GAME

• Matches are best two of three and the first team to score 11 points wins the game.
• Teams can only score a point if they are serving the ball. 
• Each game will continue until a two point advantage is reached or until one team reaches 15.  
• If a third game is needed to decide the winner, the first team to score seven points wins the game.
• Each team has two timeouts per game.

SERVING

• A team chooses service, side or receive for the start of the first game by winning Rock/Paper/Scissors.
• Points are scored only by the serving side when the server or the server’s team wins the rally, or the opposing side commits a fault.
• The server continues to serve, alternating service courts, until the serving side loses the rally or commits a fault.
• Paddle contact with the ball must not be made above the waist level.
• At the time the ball is struck, the server’s feet may not touch the court and neither foot may contact the baseline or court until after the ball is struck.
• The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court.
• Only one serve attempt is allowed per server.
• A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is short and a fault.
• A served ball is playable when it touches the net and lands in the playable zone passed the kitchen and kitchen lines. 
• On the serve, if the ball strikes the perimeter line of the kitchen, this is ruled as a kitchen ball and is considered a fault on a serve.

SERVING SEQUENCE

• Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault *(except for the first service sequence of each new game).
• The first serve of each side-out is made from the right/even court.
• If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left/odd court.
• As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed and the first server loses the serve.
• When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court (except for the first service sequence of the game*).
• The second server continues serving until his team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team.
• Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right/even court and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults.

*At the beginning of each new game only one partner on the serving team has the opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving team.

PLAYING THE BALL

• When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces.
• After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce.
• The non-volley zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net commonly referred to as “the Kitchen.”
• Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone (the Kitchen). This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone.
• It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the non-volley zone, including the line and/or when the player’s momentum causes them to touch the non-volley zone including the lines.
• It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non-volley zone, even if the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens.
• A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.
• A ball contacting any part of any line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”
• You may play the ball around the net if the ball and momentum of the player takes them to the sideline. In this instance the ball doesn’t need to go over the net. 

PLAYOFFS ELIGIBILITY All players participating in the playoffs must be on the official team roster and have played at least 1 regular season game. If an opposing team believes one of the players on the other team hasn’t played in an official regular season game and/or isn’t on the official team roster they can protest that player. If a team checks in a player who isn't on the official league roster and the opposing team protests, said team will automatically forfeit the game the illegal player competed in. Since many teams play without subs please plan accordingly and if you know one of your players won’t be there for the playoffs be sure to have a substitute on the roster. SCORING

• The score is announced in three’s. The first number is the team serving’s points. The second number is the receiving team’s points. The third number is server number
• The serve always starts on the right side. 0-0-2
• Once the sideout point happens and the serve shifts to the opposing team, It is now announced 0-0-1. Once the serving team misses. It’s the second server's opportunity. 0-0-2. 
• If the second server scores a point. The score is now 1-0-2. 
• When the serving team scores a point the server moves to the other side to serve. The receiving team does not move. 
• Once the serving team misses, it then returns to the opposing team where the player on the right side starts the serve with the score, 0-1-1. 

FORFEIT POLICY If your team forfeits a game during the season, the following rules apply:

• First Offense: Loss of game. Score marked: 11-0, 11-0.  
• Second Offense: Loss of game and lost ability to make playoffs. 
• Third Offense: Removal from the league. 
• If you know in advance that your team is going to forfeit a game, we encourage you to contact us so we can inform your opponent. 
• Teams have until ten minutes past the designated start time to field a full squad (or the league minimum of players required according to rules). If at that time a team is unable to field a legal team, they forfeit the game. The teams may utilize the playing field during their allotted time to play an unofficial game. The official score will be marked as a loss with the respective forfeit score. 

OFFICIALS

• Pickleball is a self officiated game. SPORTSKIND will provide a league coordinator to help with court location, resolving disputes and collecting scores.
• Only the team captain from each team may approach the coordinator to ask for clarification/resolve a dispute. 

SPORTSMANSHIP

• We enforce a “Zero Tolerance Policy” in regards to behavior of players, managers, and fans. Taunting, trash talking, or abusive language will not be tolerated.  Officials and league staff will have the right to reprimand or eject players, managers, or fans depending on the severity of the situation. Abusive behavior toward the official will not be tolerated. An ejection carries a one game suspension (including the current game). In extreme cases, the player will be asked to leave the premises without refund. The severity of the punishment will be based on the discretion of the official and league staff.
• Only CAPTAINS of respective teams are allowed to approach the staff with questions or concerns in a respective manner. Teams charging the field of play to question or complain a call will be subject to automatic forfeit for that game. 
• Alcohol and smoking is not allowed on playing fields. 
• Any rules not covered or protests will be handled by the League Coordinator. 
• There will be no refunds allowed for rain delays or cancellations.  If the league is postponed due to weather, we will reschedule to a later date.  There will be no refunds if you are not able to furnish a team on the makeup date. 
• Pickleball is played in the rain if at all possible unless the Official or Facility Representative decides it is necessary to postpone due to dangerous playing conditions or lightning. 

LEAGUE AUTHORITY

• FIGHTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.  ANY INSTANCES OF FIGHTING MAY RESULT IN A TEAM FORFEIT OF THE TOURNAMENT WITHOUT REFUND AND POSSIBLE EXPULSIONS FROM FUTURE TOURNAMENTS. ALL DECISIONS OF THE LEAGUE STAFF ARE FINAL.  THE LEAGUE STAFF SHALL ALSO HAVE THE FINAL AUTHORITY TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO GAME SCHEDULES, GAME DURATION. AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE RULES OR OF THE LEAGUE.

DOUBLES TOURNAMENT FORMAT

• Players sign up individually or teams or two players. It is important to correctly select your skill level when signing up, so you are placed with similar players. (Beginner 2.0-2.9, Intermediate 3.0-3.9, Advanced (4.0+). If a team of two has one player ranked at 3.5+ and the other at 3.0, then the team shall register under 3.5 level.
• Scoresheets will be provided to each team, so they can keep track of their total points. After the end of each match, the groups will submit their scoresheets to the on-site tournament supervisor to update the rankings.
• Paddles will be provided to those players who need to borrow paddles. Players may bring their own paddles. Balls will be provided.
• USAPA Rules. USA Pickleball approved paddles only.
• Teams will play 4 round robin games to 15 points to determine seeding. After the round robin games, all teams will advance into a single elimination bracket. Bracket games will be one game to 11 points, win by 2. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place games will be best two out of three games to 11 points, win by 2.
• Round robin games to 15 points, teams switch at 8 points.
• Bracket games to 11 points, switch at 6 points.
• If the ball hits the portable pickleball frame and deflects off, the play is ruled dead and will be replayed starting with the serve.
• Each team will receive two standard, one-minute timeouts per 11 or 15 point game.
• Momentum Rule 9.B: If your opponent hits a shot landing beyond the non-volley zone and is returned but the momentum of the shot carries the player into the kitchen...This is not a fault because they did not volleyball the ball in the non-volley zone.

SUBSTITUTION RULES

• Teams are only permitted to substitute a player between games.

SERVING

A team chooses service, side or receive for the start of the first game by winning Rock/Paper/Scissors.

• Points are scored only by the serving side when the server or the server’s team wins the rally, or the opposing side commits a fault.
• The server continues to serve, alternating service courts, until the serving side loses the rally or commits a fault.
• Paddle contact with the ball must not be made above the waist level.
• At the time the ball is struck, the server’s feet may not touch the court and neither foot may contact the baseline or court until after the ball is struck.
• The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court.
• Only one serve attempt is allowed per server.
• A serve contacting the non-volley zone (kitchen) line is short and a fault.
• A let is awarded when the server hits the net on a serve and the ball makes it past the kitchen into the return area.
• On the serve, if the ball strikes the perimeter line of the kitchen, this is ruled as a kitchen ball and is considered a fault on a serve.
• A ball contacting any part of any line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”

SERVING SEQUENCE

Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault *(except for the first service sequence of each new game).

• The first serve of each side-out is made from the right/even court.
• If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left/odd court.
• As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed and the first server loses the serve.
• When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court (except for the first service sequence of the game*).
• The second server continues serving until his team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team.
• Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right/even court and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults.
• *At the beginning of each new game only one partner on the serving team has the opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving team.

PLAYING THE BALL

• When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces.
• After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce.
• The non-volley zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net commonly referred to as “the Kitchen.”
• Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone (the Kitchen). This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone.
• It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the non-volley zone, including the line and/or when the player’s momentum causes them to touch the non-volley zone including the lines.
• It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non-volley zone, even if the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens.
• A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.
• You may play the ball around the net if the ball and momentum of the player takes them to the sideline. In this instance the ball doesn’t need to go over the net.

SCORING

• The score is announced in three’s. The first number is the team serving’s points. The second number is the receiving team’s points. The third number is server number
• The serve always starts on the right side. 0-0-2
• Once the sideout point happens and the serve shifts to the opposing team, It is now announced 0-0-1. Once the serving team misses. It’s the second server's opportunity. 0-0-2.
• If the second server scores a point. The score is now 1-0-2.
• When the serving team scores a point the server moves to the other side to serve. The receiving team does not move.
• Once the serving team misses, it then returns to the opposing team where the player on the right side starts the serve with the score, 0-1-1.

FORFEIT POLICY

• If you know in advance that your team is going to forfeit a game, we encourage you to contact us so we can inform your opponent.
• Teams have until ten minutes past the designated start time or they forfeit.  The teams may utilize the court during their allotted time to play an unofficial game. The official score will be marked as a loss with the respective forfeit score.

OFFICIALS

• Pickleball is a self officiated game. SPORTSKIND will provide a league coordinator to help with court location, resolving disputes and collecting scores.
• Only the team captain from each team may approach the coordinator to ask for clarification/resolve a dispute.

SPORTSMANSHIP

• We enforce a “Zero Tolerance Policy” in regards to behavior of players, managers, and fans. Taunting, trash talking, or abusive language will not be tolerated.  Officials and league staff will have the right to reprimand or eject players, managers, or fans depending on the severity of the situation. Abusive behavior toward the official will not be tolerated. An ejection carries a one game suspension (including the current game). In extreme cases, the player will be asked to leave the premises without refund. The severity of the punishment will be based on the discretion of the official and league staff.
• Only CAPTAINS of respective teams are allowed to approach the staff with questions or concerns in a respective manner. Teams charging the court of play to question or complain a call will be subject to automatic forfeit for that game.
• Alcohol and smoking is not allowed on the courts.
• Any rules not covered or protests will be handled by the League Coordinator.
• There will be no refunds allowed for rain delays or cancellations.  If the league is postponed due to weather, we will reschedule to a later date.  There will be no refunds if you are not able to furnish a team on the makeup date.
• Pickleball is played in the rain if at all possible unless the Official or Facility Representative decides it is necessary to postpone due to dangerous playing conditions or lightning.  If lightning occurs, all attempts will be made to resume play 30 minutes after the last lightning flash is viewed and the official deems it safe to resume play. The games will resume as scheduled if at all possible, or shortened if necessary.

LEAGUE AUTHORITY

• FIGHTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.  ANY INSTANCES OF FIGHTING MAY RESULT IN A TEAM FORFEIT OF THE TOURNAMENT WITHOUT REFUND AND POSSIBLE EXPULSIONS FROM FUTURE TOURNAMENTS.
• ALL DECISIONS OF THE LEAGUE STAFF ARE FINAL.  THE LEAGUE STAFF SHALL ALSO HAVE THE FINAL AUTHORITY TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO GAME SCHEDULES, GAME DURATION. AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE RULES OR OF THE LEAGUE.

SWITCH LEAGUE FORMAT

• Players sign up individually for the switch league. A switch league is a fun and social twist to the popular ladder league.
• We use the term "Switch" to emphasize the switch of your opponent and partner each game, each night! To clarify, this means you will have a different partner and opponent each game.
  • Dependent on the total number of players in the league there is a potential to play the same opponent or with the same player more than any other. 
• Player rankings during a switch league are based on your winning percentage (the ratio of points won to total points possible).
• Each week, players will play 6 games.
• Scoresheets will be provided to each group of four, so they can keep track of their total points. After the end of each match, the groups will submit their scoresheets to the on-site league supervisor to update the rankings.
• The top players will make the playoffs.
• Players who miss three or more weeks in the switch will be ineligible for playoffs.
• Paddles will be provided to those players who need to borrow paddles. Players may bring their paddles. Balls will be provided each week.

SUBSTITUTION RULES

• This format is not designed for substitutions. If unforeseen circumstances take a player out of an incomplete game, we will look to fill with a "ghost" player within the League or with the help of our League Supervisor/ Coordinator.

SERVING

A team chooses service, side, or receive for the start of the first game by winning Rock/Paper/Scissors.

• Points are scored only by the serving side when the server or the server’s team wins the rally, or the opposing side commits a fault.
• The server continues to serve, alternating service courts until the serving side loses the rally or commits a fault.
• Paddle contact with the ball must not be made above the waist level.
• At the time the ball is struck, the server’s feet may not touch the court and neither foot may contact the baseline or court until after the ball is struck.
• The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court.
• Only one serve attempt is allowed per server.
• A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is short and a fault.
• A served ball is playable when it touches the net and lands in the playable zone passed the kitchen and kitchen lines.
• On the serve, if the ball strikes the perimeter line of the kitchen, this is ruled as a kitchen ball and is considered a fault on a serve.

SERVING SEQUENCE

Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault *(except for the first service sequence of each new game).

• The first serve of each side-out is made from the right/even court.
• If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left/odd court.
• As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed and the first server loses the serve.
• When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court (except for the first service sequence of the game*).
• The second server continues serving until his team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team.
• Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right/even court and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults.
• *At the beginning of each new game only one partner on the serving team can serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving team.

PLAYING THE BALL

• When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces.
• After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce.
• The non-volley zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net commonly referred to as “the Kitchen.”
• Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone (the Kitchen). This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone.
• It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the non-volley zone, including the line, and/or when the player’s momentum causes them to touch the non-volley zone including the lines.
• It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non-volley zone, even if the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens.
• A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.
• A ball contacting any part of any line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”
• You may play the ball around the net if the ball and momentum of the player take them to the sideline. In this instance, the ball doesn’t need to go over the net.

SCORING

• The score is announced in threes. The first number is the team serving points. The second number is the receiving team’s points. The third number is the server number
• The serve always starts on the right side. 0-0-2
• Once the side-out point happens and the serve shifts to the opposing team, It is now announced as 0-0-1. Once the serving team misses. It’s the second server's opportunity. 0-0-2.
• Suppose the second server scores a point. The score is now 1-0-2.
• When the serving team scores a point the server moves to the other side to serve. The receiving team does not move.
• Once the serving team misses, it then returns to the opposing team where the player on the right side starts the serve with the score, 0-1-1.

FORFEIT POLICY

• If you are unable to attend you will not have scores trackable for each week/game you are not in attendance, the following rules apply: You will have a score of zero for every game you miss.
• After your 3rd offense, you will be removed from the league.
• If you know in advance that your team is going to forfeit a game, we encourage you to contact us at austin@sportskind.com.
• You have until ten minutes past the designated start time to check in. If at that time you have not arrived, you forfeit your spot for that day. As a result, you will receive a score of 0 for the week. 

OFFICIALS

• Pickleball is a self-officiated game. SPORTSKIND will provide a league coordinator to help with court location, resolving disputes, and collecting scores.

SPORTSMANSHIP

• We enforce a “Zero Tolerance Policy” regarding the behavior of players, managers, and fans. Taunting, trash-talking, or abusive language will not be tolerated.  Officials and league staff will have the right to reprimand or eject players, managers, or fans depending on the severity of the situation. Abusive behavior toward the official will not be tolerated. An ejection carries a one-game suspension (including the current game). In extreme cases, the player will be asked to leave the premises without a refund. The severity of the punishment will be based on the discretion of the official and league staff.
• You are allowed to approach the staff with questions or concerns in a respective manner. Teams charging the field of play to question or complain about a call will be subject to an automatic forfeit for that game.
• Alcohol and smoking are not allowed on playing fields.
• Any rules not covered or protests will be handled by the League Coordinator.
• There will be no refunds allowed for rain delays or cancellations. If the league is postponed due to weather, we will reschedule for a later date. There will be no refunds if you are not able to furnish a team on the makeup date.
• Pickleball is played in the rain if at all possible unless the Official or Facility Representative decides it is necessary to postpone due to dangerous playing conditions or lightning.

LEAGUE AUTHORITY

• FIGHTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.  ANY INSTANCES OF FIGHTING MAY RESULT IN A TEAM FORFEITING THE LEAGUE WITHOUT REFUND AND POSSIBLE EXPULSIONS FROM FUTURE LEAGUE.
• ALL DECISIONS OF THE LEAGUE STAFF ARE FINAL. THE LEAGUE STAFF SHALL ALSO HAVE THE FINAL AUTHORITY TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO GAME SCHEDULES, AND GAME DURATION. AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE RULES OR OF THE LEAGUE.