General Guidelines:
Round Robin Format: All tournament events will follow a round robin format, with the exception
of the PRO division.
Events:
Division Merging: Divisions with one to three teams may be merged with another division
at our discretion. We will strive not to mix different skill levels and will avoid proceeding
with a draw if there are fewer than four entrants, unless absolutely necessary.
Pool Play: During Round Robin pool play, matches will be a single game to either 11 or
15 points, requiring a win by 2 points. The target score will be determined based on the
bracket.
Playoffs and Medal Rounds: These stages will continue the Round Robin format,
featuring a single game to 15 points, also requiring a win by 2 points.
Double Elimination for the PRO Divisions: PRO divisions with six or more teams will
participate in a double elimination format. Winners bracket matches will be best 2 out of
3 games to 11, while all opportunity bracket matches, including the bronze medal match,
will be a single game to 15. Gold medal matches will be best 2 out of 3 games to 11.
Skill Level and Age Brackets:
Participants must compete at the skill level of the higher-rated player or above. Unrated players
may be moved to a higher bracket if deemed appropriate by the organizers. In age-based
brackets, the bracket is determined by the age of the younger partner. The split-age open will be
conducted as a round robin.
Organizational Authority:
The Tournament Director and Committee reserve the right to modify the format of any bracket,
division, or level as necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the event. They also have the
authority to change any rules or policies as needed. This adaptability is essential for responding
to unforeseen circumstances and enhancing the tournament experience for all participants.
T-Shirt Deadline:
The T-shirt deadline is May 1st, 2024.
Key Rule Changes for 2024:
Correcting Server, Receiver, and Player Position Errors (4.B.9): Faults for incorrect
server, incorrect receiver, and player position errors are eliminated. The referee will now
correct any such player errors before calling the score. Rule 4.B.9 is the primary rule
text. Several other rules have been modified or deleted to correlate with this change.
Draping Net (2.C.6/11.L.5.b): Rule 2.C.6 calls for a replay when a ball goes over the net
and hits a net that is draped on the ground (except on a serve) without requiring the
referee to determine if the ball was affected by the draped net. This rule, and Rule
11.L.5.b for temporary nets, now call for a replay without qualification.
Catch or Carry Ball on the Paddle (7.L): Rule 7.L now makes catching or carrying a ball
on the paddle a fault without needing to determine if the catch or carry was deliberate.
Conceding a Rally (13.E.4/13.E.5): Rule 13.E.5 allows for a replay when a player
overrules a line judge's 'out' call as 'in' to their detriment. Now, the player or team may
choose to concede the rally to their opponent if they determine they would have been
unable to return the 'in' ball. Similarly, Rule 13.E.4 allows for a replay when the referee
overturns a line judge's out call as in, with the same option to concede the rally.
Medical Time-Outs (10.B.2.c): A player is now allowed to use available standard
time-outs after the 15-minute medical time-out has expired to allow more time before the
player must retire from the match.
Paddle Specifications (2.E.2/2.E.5.a/2.E.5.c): Paddle specifications have been updated
to address new and emerging paddle technology and to clarify the alterations that
players are allowed to make to certified paddles.
1. Players must play with a USA Pickleball-approved paddle. You are responsible for ensuring
that the paddle you play with is listed on the Approved Paddle List posted on the USA Pickleball
website.
2. Players are responsible for calling all the lines on their end of the court. However, in officiated
matches, the referee is responsible for calling service foot faults, non-volley zone foot faults,
and short serves. Please make all “out” calls loudly, clearly, and promptly, even if they are
obvious. The Code of Ethics for Line Calling requires that you give the opponent the benefit of
any doubt.
3. You may ask the referee to make a ruling on any line call (appeal). The referee will only make
a ruling if he/she clearly saw the ball land. Otherwise, the appealed call will stand.
4. Starting server bands will be provided for doubles events and must be worn by each starting
server so that it is visible to the referee and the opponents. Failure to wear the band will result in
a forfeit of the match.
5. Referees, and servers in self-officiated matches, will make sure all players are ready (or
should be ready) before calling the score.
6. The server must not hit the ball to serve until after the entire score has been called. Serving
while the score is being called (live ball) will result in a fault. Serving before the score call begins
(dead ball) will result in a replay.
7. After the score is called, the server has 10 seconds to serve the ball. Failure to do so will
result in a fault.
8. Before the serve is hit, players may ask the referee who is the correct server or receiver,
whether they are in the correct position, or to confirm the score, BUT it's now the referee's
responsibility to correct you. If there is an officiating error, the rally will be replayed. If the referee
or a player stops a rally in progress to correctly identify a player/position error, the rally shall be
replayed. If a player stops a rally and incorrectly identifies a player/position error, it is a fault to
the player who stopped the rally. If the referee stops a rally in progress and incorrectly identifies
a player/position error, the rally shall be replayed. If a player/position error is identified after the
rally has played out, the rally shall stand. If the rally played out and no one caught an error, you
played it in good faith and the rally stands.
9. In officiated matches, the referee will pay close attention that each player's service complies
with USA Pickleball requirements. The ball release must also be visible to the referee and the
opponent. For a volley serve, when the ball is hit:
a. The server’s arm must be moving in an upward arc.
b. The highest point of the paddle head must not be above the highest point of the server’s
wrist.
c. The ball must not be above the server’s waist. For a drop serve, the ball must be dropped
from the hand or paddle, with no force added, from an unaided height.
10. Any double hit can be hit twice, but this must occur during a continuous, single-direction
stroke.
11. Players may quickly hydrate and towel off between rallies
within the flow of the game.
12. Players may call a hinder if they are distracted by a ball, person, or object coming into their
playing area. Hinders deemed to be valid by the referee will result in a replay. The referee will
not stop play due to a ball in the playing area unless it becomes a safety issue.
13. Players may only receive coaching from someone other than their partner during a time-out.
This includes between games and during end changes.
14. Any player may call a time-out before the server hits the ball to serve. Each team has two
1-minute (standard) time-outs per 11-point or 15-point game and three time-outs are available in
games to 21 points. Time-outs cannot be called during rallies. Time-outs for a game may be
requested and used during the between game time-out before the game begins.
15. There is a 2-minute break (time-out) between games.
16. In the third game of a 2-out-of-3 game match, and in games to 15 or 21 points, teams have
a 1-minute time-out to change ends of the court (at 6, 8, or 11 points, respectively).
17. Each player may request one medical time-out per match to address injuries and medical
conditions. When a player requests a medical time-out, medical personnel (or the Tournament
Director) will be summoned to assess whether the need is valid. If the request is deemed not
valid, the requesting player will be charged a standard time-out (if available) and issued a
technical warning. If the player has no remaining time-outs, a technical foul will be issued
(resulting in a 1-point score adjustment).
18. In accordance with the USA Pickleball Concussion Protocol, any player sustaining a head
injury will not be permitted to resume play without a written release from a licensed health care
professional.
19. Players requesting to see the Head Referee or Tournament Director to challenge a referee’s
ruling will be charged a standard time-out and be issued a technical warning if the referee’s
ruling is correct. If no time-out is available, a technical foul will be issued (resulting in a 1-point
score adjustment).
20. When 15 seconds remain before starting or resuming play, the referee will give a 15-second
warning. The referee will call “time in” and the score when the players are, or should be, ready.
21. In self-officiated matches, any player may request a referee if the player believes that a rule
is being consistently violated or when players are not able to resolve a dispute quickly and
easily.
22. Players are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship at all times. Any action deemed by the
referee to be unsportsmanlike will result in a verbal warning, technical warning, or a technical
foul against the offending player. A game will be forfeited if the player or team receives a
technical warning and a technical foul, or three technical warnings, during a match. The match
will be forfeited if the equivalent of four technical warnings is obtained.
PRE-MATCH BRIEFING with REFEREES:
Before play begins for each match, the referee or a match starter will hold a briefing with all
players to:
● Inspect player paddles.
● Inform players of the match format.
● Identify starting servers and ensure visibility of the starting server identification.
● Use a fair method for players to choose service and ends to start the match.
● Remind players to make loud, clear, and prompt calls. (Line calling responsibilities
covered in #2 and #3 above so they are not required to be covered in the briefing.)
● Notify players of any court abnormalities and approved rule modifications.
● Review major rule changes for 2024.
● Answer questions about player instructions and rules.
● Allow players to warm up as time permits. Five minutes for the first match of the day, 3
minutes for all remaining matches.
