THE TEAM 

2-ASIDE
  • The team shall be made up of two (2) or more players who will all play within the scheduled time slot.
  • It is recommended to have three (3) players in case of absentees 
  • Please consider our Default, Forfeit, and Substitute Policy 
  • Substitutes can be used as long as they have created an account and signed the most up to date Urban Rec waiver. During game play, substitutes can be made at any point in the game.

GAME SPECIFICS

GAME TIME 

The team is scheduled to play within a forty-five (45) minute slot with as many games as possible played within the allocated time. There will be at least three (3) games played.

COURT BOUNDARIES 

There is one court setup for each team. The courts are approximately 13.5 by 6 meters depending on the available space.

STARTING THE GAME 

Players play scissors, paper, rock to determine who will serve first. The winner of the game will have the option to choose a side or to serve or receive. The first serving team will start on their second server.

SCORING 
  • Points are scored only by the serving team.
  • Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2.
  • The score is as such A-B-C
    • A - The serving team’s score
    • B - The receiving team's score
    • C - Which server we are up to (Always 1 or 2)

RULE SPECIFICS

Serving
  • The player on the right-hand side of the serving team (team A) will serve first and will call the current score.
  • The server must serve with both feet behind the line, into the diagonal corner and it must clear the kitchen
  • The serve must be underhand
  • Team B must let the ball bounce ONCE before returning the ball
  • Team A must also let the ball bounce ONCE before returning the ball back
  • From here on the ball does not need to bounce and can be "volleyed" back

Note: Only one serve attempt is allowed, there is no ‘let’ rule. The score MUST be called during the serve

SERVICE SEQUENCE 
  • Both players on the serving team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault
    • Except for the first service sequence of each new game in which the serving team starts on their second server
  • The first serve of each service sequence is made from the right-hand court
  • If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left-hand 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 the side of the court they are currently on
  • 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 the first serve is from the right-hand court
DOUBLE BOUNCE RULE
  • 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 (ground stroke).
  • ·The double bounce rule eliminates the serve and volley advantage and extends rallies.
NON-VOLLEY ZONE (Kitchen)
  • The non-volley zone, or kitchen, is the court area within 2 meters on both sides of the net.
  • Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone. 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 associated 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.
  • The exception to this rule is if the ball has already bounced in the non-volley zone. A player is allowed in there to retrieve the bounced ball.
LINE CALLS
  • A ball contacting any line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”
  • A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is short and a fault.
FAULTS 

A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation.

The repercussions of a fault are dependent on the team that committed the fault and where they are in the service sequence:

  • A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team.
  • A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or, if they are onto the second server, a turnover

A fault occurs when:

  • A serve does not land within the confines of the receiving court
  • The ball is hit into the net on the serve or any return
  • The ball is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side
  • The ball is hit out of bounds
  • A ball is volleyed from within the non-volley zone
  • A ball bounces twice before being struck by the receiver
  • A player, player’s clothing, or any part of a player’s paddle touches the net or the net post when the ball is in play
  • There is a violation of a service rule
  • A ball in play strikes a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying
  • A ball in play strikes any external object before bouncing on the court
example match
  • Team A serves as described above in the “Serving” section
  • They start with a score of 0-0-2
  • The server on the right will serve.
  • If team A wins a rally the score will then become 1-0-2
    • The score is 1-0-2 because:
      • Team A scored one point
      • Team B hasn't scored yet
      • Team A is on their second server as it is the first server of the game
  • If they then lose the next rally the service is moved to team B 
    • This is because once the team loses while on the second server, there is a turnover
  • Team B will then need to serve as described above in the “Serving” section
    • i.e. Team B's person on the right will have the ball behind the line and will serve diagonally across to Team A while calling out the score "0-1-1"
    • The score is 0-1-1 because:
      • Team B hasn't scored yet
      • Team A scored one point
      • Team B is on their first server
  • Imagine Team B now wins a rally.
  • Team B's server will be the same person but they will now swap sides and will now serve from the left side of the court
  • Team B's server will call out the new score “1-1-1”
  • Imagine they win again
  • Team B's server will swap back to the right and serve with the new score “2-1-1”
  • Imagine Team B now loses the rally. They move on to their second server. The ball is passed to the second server who is currently on the left. They will serve and call out the score “2-1-2”
    • The score is 2-1-2 because:
      • Team B has scored 2 points
      • Team A has still only scored 1
      • Team B is on their second server
  • If Team B then loses this rally the service changes back to Team A
  • Team A's server on the right will call out the score "1-2-1"
    • The score is 2-1-2 because​:​​​​​​
      • Team A has scored 1
      • Team B has scored 2
      • Team A is back on their first server
  • This will continue until the first team reaches 11 which marks the end of the game

URBAN REC SPECIFICS

FUN FIRST POLICY 

All Urban Rec leagues, irrespective of skill level, are fun-first. Our Event Hosts facilitate a fun, safe environment for teams. They will acknowledge, coach and make calls according to your level of experience playing the game. Urban Rec leagues expect a certain level of self-officiation, meaning that players are expected to display good sportsmanship to govern their behaviour. Open communication and camaraderie between teams is encouraged.

DISCIPLINE

Urban Rec Event Hosts have the final say on any issue that cannot be self-resolved. If you are seen to be rude or not playing within the respect of the rules, your Event Host has the right to ask you to sub and take a break. If your Event Host then has to warn you more times then they have the right to ask you to leave the field or court and an assessment will be made if you can return to play. We don’t tolerate idiots, play fair.

INCLUSION

Urban Rec seeks to provide a safe, inclusive and happy environment for our members, staff and participants. Gender diverse, transgender and non-binary participants are welcome to play within our leagues along with any sexuality and persons from any background. Urban Rec has zero tolerance for bullying, discrimination or sexual harassment. 

Note that the above details are generic Pickleball rules. The rules for each specific league may differ.



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