Knowledge of the rules
1.1 The rules of Social Sport Pickleball competitions are based on The Global Pickleball Federation’s ‘GPF Official Rulebook’. A summary of the basic rules can be found HERE
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 Pickleball 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 ‘QuadPickle'; with maximum of 4 players permitted on court at any one time.
2.3 A 'Match' consists of 3 x 14min game rotations (first to 15, ahead by 2).
Teams
3.1 A team may consist of either 4-6 players per fixtured game. There is no limit on the number of players that can be in the overall squad for the season.
3.2 For teams with with more than 4 players, any players can be included in the designated rotations.
3.3 Mixed leagues may only have a maximum of 1 male on the court at any one time.
3.4 Teams should have 2 players on each court for each game rotation but it is permitted to have one court with only a single player if the team has only three available players.
Time of Match
4.1 Teams are to be on the court at the scheduled match time.
4.2 The clock will start at the scheduled match time to ensure that all teams have a full match.
4.3 Matches run for a full duration of 45 minutes which includes 3 x 14min Game rotations.
4.4 Teams change ends for the 2nd rotation and for the 3rd rotation the receiving team chooses their end.
4.5 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.
Scoring
5.1 Matches are played in games of 15 points, winning by 2 clear.
5.2 Rally scoring method is used, with a point awarded for every rally regardless of which team is serving.
5.3 In the event of an unfinished game, a team will be awarded the point/s if all of the following apply:
They have scored at least 5 points
They are leading by at least two points
5.4 For game rotation one and two, the winner is awarded 1 point. For the 3rd rotation, 2 points awarded to the winner.
5.5 Points are accumulated as the Match progresses through the rotations with the with a maximum of 8 points available to be won.
5.6 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 in the overall Match.
6.2 Teams will be awarded 2 points for a draw in the overall Match.
6.3 In the case of a forfeit, the team forfeited against will receive 4 points for a win and 3-0 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:
One team at fault will result in the opposition awarded a 3-0 win
Both teams at fault will result in a ‘no result’ and no points awarded
Serving
7.1 The first team named on the fixture will determine who starts with the serve. The other team will have the choice of ends.
7.2 For the third game rotation, a game of ‘Rock, paper, scissors' per court will decide who serves. The other team will have the choice of ends.
7.3 Serving within the game proceeds as follows:
- Players choose a side of the court and stay there for the whole game.
- The first serve of the game for each team is from the right side of the court.
- Serving alternates each point between team members when they are serving.
- After the game commences, the team who won the previous point will have the serve.
- When a team's score is 'even' they will be serving from the right side of the court, when their score is 'odd' they will be serving from the left side.
7.4 The serve must be made underhand and with the paddle below the server’s waist.
7.5 The serve is to be made diagonally, crosscourt to the opponent.
7.6 The server must have at least one foot behind the baseline while serving.
7.7 The serve is deemed ‘out of bounds’ if the ball fails to land in the opposing crosscourt playing area.
7.8 ‘Drop serves’ are permitted.
Post-serve play
8.1 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.
8.2 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’).
Finals
9.1 All finals fixtures will be advised to participating teams and posted online.
9.2 Teams participating in finals must ensure they are available for all possible game times.
9.3 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.
9.4 Final ladder positions are determined by total game points. In the case of teams having equal points, score difference will take precedence.
9.5 In the case of a team being unable to play a finals game, the next highest ranked team will qualify.
9.6 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).
9.7 If teams are tied at the end of a finals match, extra time will consist of ‘first to 3’ extra time.
9.8 Players must have played a minimum of 3 games in the regular season to be eligible to play in finals.
Wet weather
10.1 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.
10.2 In the event of a full night cancellation due to weather, all games will be recorded as a 1-1 draw
10.3 In the case of an in-game cancellation, a result will stand if at lease one game has been played. If a full game has not been completed, a 1-1 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