Presented by the Capital District YMCA and MVP Health Care

Tournament Overview

This Pickleball tournament offers a diverse range of events beyond the usual mixed and doubles categories. Participants have the chance to compete in multiple events across different age divisions and formats.

Schedule and Events

Friday: Open Divisions

Open All Ages Women's Doubles and Men's Doubles

Available to all players 12 and over

Open Mixed Doubles

Open to teams of any age combination 12 and over

Saturday: Age-Specific Women's Doubles

Women's Doubles (Age 18-49)

Women's Doubles (Age 50+)

For female players aged 50 and above.

Saturday: Age-Specific Men's Doubles

For male Doubles (Age 18-49)

Men's Doubles (Age 50+)

For male players aged 50 and above.

Sunday: Age-Specific Mixed Doubles

Mixed Doubles (Age 18-49)

Mixed Doubles (Age 50+)

Teams where both players are 50 years old or older.

Example Participation

If you are a 50-year-old female, you have several options:

Friday:

Open All Ages Women's Doubles

Compete in a division open to all ages.

Open Mixed Doubles

Play with a partner of any age in a mixed doubles format.

Saturday:

Women's Doubles (Age 50+)

Compete with another female player who is also 50 years old or older.

or if your partner is under 50, you can compete in Women's doubles 18-49

Sunday:

Mixed Doubles (Age 50+)

Participate with a mixed doubles partner who is also 50 years old or older.

or if your partner is under 50, you can compete in Mixed doubles 18-49

Summary

This structure allows you to compete in multiple events across different days. It provides an opportunity to play in open divisions on Friday, one age-specific women's doubles on Saturday, and one age-specific mixed doubles on Sunday. This flexibility ensures a varied and inclusive competition experience for all participants.

This tournament benefits the Cdymca Circle of Champs, the Circle of Champs program is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children battling a life-threatening illness. Our program offers opportunities for families to enjoy outings together including baseball games, cooking classes, camp, and more.

The CDYMCA recognizes treating an illness can cause financial challenges for families. All program activities are free for families. We offer free household memberships to the Y, to provide a fun place to gather and play together

Additional Information

How long does each event last?

Each event, i.e. "Women's Doubles - Intermediate," will take between 2 to 3 hours from start to finish.

Can I sign up for more than one event?

Yes. You can sign up for multiple events on Friday, and you can sign up for one mixed doubles event on Saturday and one event on Sunday.

Should I join the waitlist?

Yes! If an event is "waitlist only" it is free to get on the waitlist. The waitlist is the first place a tournament director looks to fill an opening. (If you have a partner, you will automatically be moved into the event if a spot opens.)

How do I register on Pickleball Brackets for the first time?

Here is an article on signing up for your first tournament on Pickleball Brackets: https://www.pickleball518.com/how-to-register-for-a-pickleball-tournament-on-pickleball-brackets/

NOTE: If there is a "ghost" next to a player's name on the Pickleball Brackets event description page, that means a player has not fully registered and the team may be bumped to the waitlist. Read more about the "ghost" here:

https://www.pickleball518.com/dont-get-ghosted-in-a-pickleball-brackets-tournament/

Creating your Pickleball Brackets profile

If this is your first time using Pickleball Brackets, when you create a profile you will be asked to self-rate yourself on a scale of 2.0 to 6.0.

Here is a general guide:

2.0 = Novice

Never picked up a paddle or just started playing, and no background in racquet sports. Just learning the rules.

2.5 = Advanced novice

Basic understanding of rules and scoring. Able to hit the ball back and forth but struggling to sustain a rally.

3.0 = Intermediate

Understands rules and scoring. Can serve reliably and sustain a rally.

3.5 = Advanced intermediate

Strong grasp of rules and scoring. Can sustain rallies and starting to use pickleball strategies like dinks, third-shot drops, deep serves and returns and shot placement.

4.0 and above = Advanced

Mastered control of shot placement. Can use spin on the ball. Using advanced game strategies. Knows how to stack. Has tournament experience.

Here is a nifty (and free) online quiz to help determine your rating:

https://www.pickleheads.com/guides/pickleball-rating

A doubles team is classified by age and/or skill level, then the partner with the younger age controls what age group the doubles team may play in (for instance, if a 19 year old plays with a 60 year old, then the doubles team will play in the 19+ division), and the partner with the higher skill level controls what skill level the doubles team may play in (for instance, if a 5.0 player plays with a 3.5 player, then the doubles team will play in the 5.0+ division).

no refunds issued after 9/4-