Knowledge of the rules

1.1 The rules of Social Sport Pickleball competitions are based on The Global Pickleball Federation’s ‘GPF Official Rulebook’.

1.2 The rules in this document take precedence in the event of any discrepancy.

1.3 It is the responsibility of each player to be familiar with these rules.

The basics

2.1 The game is played on a badminton-sized court of approximately 6.09m x 13.41m with a specific low-bounce ball. The court consists of a centreline, as well as three specific zones; the service area, the non-volley zone (termed ‘the kitchen’) and the service area.

2.2 All competitions are played as ‘doubles’; with maximum of 2 players permitted on court at any one time.
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Teams
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3.1 A team may consist of either 2 or 3 players per fixtured game. There is no limit on the number of players that can be in the overall squad.

3.2 For teams with 3 players, substitutions can be made when a team regains the serve.
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3.3 Mixed leagues may only have a maximum of 1 male on the court at any one time.

3.4 Teams are to have a minimum of 2 players on court before a match can commence.
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3.5 In the case of a mid-game injury, a team is permitted to continue with only a single player.

​Time of Match

4.1 Teams are to be on the court at the scheduled game time.

4.2 The clock will start at the scheduled match time to ensure that all teams have a full match.

4.3 The following penalties apply for lateness:

If a team is late they are to be penalised 1 point for every minute they're not on court and the opposing team having the serve. For example, a team is 5-minutes late, they will be penalised 5 points at the start of play.
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Scoring

5.1 Points can only be scored by the serving team.

5.2 Games are played in sets of 11 points, winning by 2 clear.

5.3 In 'doubles' Pickleball, the score is made up of 3 numbers (for instance, 3-2-1). The first number represents the serving team's score. The second number represents the receiving team's score. The third number represents the server number; which is either server #1 or server #2.

5.4 Like most racquet sports, Pickleball scoring relies heavily on player integrity. Players are to ‘call the lines’ as honestly and fairly as can be.

Points system

6.1 Teams will be awarded 4 points for a win.

6.2 Teams will be awarded 2 points for a draw.

6.3 In the case of a forfeit, the team forfeited against will receive 4 points for a win and 30-0 result. All forfeits are charged at the full match rate. The forfeit fee is to be paid prior to a team's next match.

6.4 In the case of a game being abandoned, the result of the game will be decided on a fault basis:

Serving

7.1 The team named first (left-side) in the fixture will serve first to start the game.

7.2 The serve must be made underhand and with the paddle below the server’s waist.

7.3 The serve is to be made diagonally, crosscourt to the opponent.

7.4 The server must have at least one foot behind the baseline while serving.

7.5 The serve is deemed ‘out of bounds’ if the ball fails to land in the opposing crosscourt playing area.

7.6 ‘Drop serves’ are permitted.

Serving sequence

8.1 Players on the serving team may maintain their service until their team commits a fault. After a fault, the serving privilege transfers to the opposing team.

8.2 Serves alternate between players following each point.

8.3 Only one serve attempt is allowed per server.

Post-serve play

9.1 Following a serve, the first return must also be made diagonally, crosscourt and the ball must bounce once on the returner’s side before it is hit.

9.2 After the ball has bounced once on each side of the court, both teams may then hit the ball in the air without letting it bounce. Please note, players are never permitted to volley from within the non-volley zone (‘the kitchen’).
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Finals

10.1 All finals fixtures will be advised to participating teams and posted online.

10.2 Teams participating in finals must ensure they are available for all possible game times.

10.3 Finals format will consist of the top 2 teams playing off in the grand final with all other teams playing placing playoff games to ensure every team gets a game on finals night.

10.4 Final ladder positions are determined by total game points. In the case of teams having equal points, higher percentage will take precedence.

10.5 In the case of a team being unable to play a finals game, the next highest ranked team will qualify.

10.6 In the case of divisions with uneven bye allocation, points will be averaged to determine final ladder positions. (i.e. A team with 1 bye and 30 points from 15 matches (2 points per match) will finish higher than a team with 2 byes and 31 points from 16 matches (1.94 points per match).

10.7 If teams are tied at the end of a finals match, extra time will consist of ‘first to 3’ extra time.

10.8 Players must have played a minimum of 3 games in the regular season to be eligible to play in finals.

Wet weather

11.1 It is assumed games will go ahead in all weather conditions unless decided otherwise by the Venue Manager on the night. In the rare case of a full night cancellation, a message will be sent to all teams prior to the night commencing.

11.2 In the event of a full night cancellation due to weather, all games will be recorded as a 15-15 draw

11.3 In the case of an in-game cancellation, a result will stand if more than 50% of the game has been played. If less than 50% of the game is played, a 15-15 draw will be recorded.

Code of conduct

The Code of Conduct is in place to ensure that all participants are able to be involved in an enjoyable and safe environment. As a condition of participation, all teams must agree to the following standards.

- Players must demonstrate respect for other players, spectators and staff.

- The team contact is responsible for the actions of their team.

- The team contact is responsible for communicating all matters regarding participation.

Any breach of the above standards will result in an official warning or immediate dismissal from the competition. Anti-social behaviour, both on and off-court, will not be tolerated.

Please note that banned players are not permitted to play for any team or enter the venue during competition.

Two or more players from any one team involved in a breach of the Code of Conduct will result in the team and all individual players facing removal from the competition.

Social Sport has the right to take any action deemed necessary in the best interests of all participants.

Pickleball Terminology

Below is a list of useful Pickleball terms:

Baseline: the line at the back of the Pickleball court

Centreline: the line bisecting the service courts that extends from the non-volley line to the baseline

Crosscourt: the opponent’s court, diagonally opposite their opponent

Fault: any infringement of the rules that ends play

Foot fault: a fault by stepping over the baseline while serving

Half volley: a type of shot whereby the player hits the ball immediately after a bounce in a scoop-like fashion

Kitchen: the non-volley zone 2.13m back from the net on both sides of the court

Lob: a type of shot whereby the ball is hit high in the air, ideally behind an advancing opponent

Let serve: a serve that touches the top of the net but lands in the proper service area

Rally: continuous play that occurs after a serve

Serve: an underhand shot to start play

Service court: the area on either side of the centreline, behind ‘the kitchen’

Volley: a type of shot whereby the player hits the ball before it hits the ground