Nelson Pickleball Club Etiquette
Order of play
The club needs to rely on players to decide the order of play unless a designated system is in place, such as the ‘paddle stack’ at Mary Hall, or the ‘mailbox’ at the outdoor courts. It is assumed that players will be able to work out who is next on court.
Games will consist of four players of any gender, unless the session is designated differently. It is not necessary for there to be an equal number of men or women.
A player may choose to sit out if they need a rest break but should not exercise this option for any other reason, such as not wishing to play with specific people.
Starting a match
Players are expected to agree partners and sides of the court amongst themselves, there is no system here, except if the pattern is winners stay at the end of the game and 2 more come on. Then usually the winners separate and join with one of the people coming on. As far as possible, try to mix things up so that you are playing with a different partner each game.
Players will decide who is on the left and right side of the court. It is not necessary to have men or women in a specific position.
First serve: OUTSIDE COURTS (LVR)– should be from the entrance end (Cottonwood Street)
INSIDE COURTS (Mary Hall) – should be from the downhill (opposite side of the entrance doors)
Please ensure that your partner and opponents are ready before commencing play.
It is good practice to ask if each player has warmed up before starting play early in a session. However, don’t warm up for more than a few minutes once courts have started matches as this will frustrate players waiting to get on court.
Finishing a game
Club play is first to nine points. If there are no players waiting, players can choose to play for longer, but be aware that another court might finish at any time.
Touching paddles across the net at the end of a game is a sporting gesture.
Vacate the court as quickly as possible to let other players rotate. Be aware of other courts still in play: do not cross behind a server, although you may need to cross once play has started.
It is common practice to leave the ball on court for the next group. Do this safely and thoughtfully – you do not want a ball to roll or get blown across another court if you wish to keep pickleball friends.
Never linger at the end of a court – apart from being distracting, this is a recipe for collisions.
Crossing behind an occupied court
Always wait for a server to strike the first ball before you cross behind their court.
Interruptions to play
Everybody’s favourite part of pickleball. A point shall be stopped if a second ball enters, or is judged likely to enter, the court of play. Any player may call “ball”, or hold their hand or paddle aloft in a clear and obvious manner. Play shall stop and the point will be replayed by the same serving side.
The same protocol shall apply to a second ball passing into or across either end of the court of play, or when any additional person can be adjudged to cause a distraction to play. This will include a non-playing person entering, or being deemed likely to enter, the court of play, or passing into or across the end of the court of play during the service stroke.
For consistency, this protocol should always be followed, as opposed to players opting to ignore the invasive ball in order to finish a point.
A point shall be stopped when a player is deemed to have been obstructed by a non-permanent obstacle which is not considered part of the regular court or its immediate surroundings. Such obstacles will include any non-playing person (most usually a player from an adjacent court, but also an observer), or any temporary item on the ground, such as a towel, water bottle or piece of clothing. A call of “ball” is not required in this situation, but the point should be stopped and replayed by the serving side.
If a ball has been struck in regular play by any player before a call of “ball”, or by a clear obstruction to any player, and then subsequently lands out, having in no way been affected by the incident, it shall be deemed to be out, and the point to have ended.
While play is stopped, any non-playing ball should be collected and returned safely and directly to its court of origin before play can restart. A ball should never be indiscriminately hit or kicked off a court unless there is an immediate and obvious risk to any player, such as a trip hazard. A rogue ball removed at random from a court i. may subsequently create a hazard for players on adjacent courts ii. may not be returned to the correct court, further delaying play for others iii. interrupt an ongoing point on adjacent courts.
An invasive ball should never be returned across, over, or behind any other court in active play. Play must have stopped at any court which might be affected by the return of the ball.
Disputing a call
Disagreeing on a call (usually shot in, or shot out) is part of the game. It happens at the highest levels in all sport, and it’s no different in Nelson. Rule #1: be nice.
Rule #2: it is always the call of the team receiving the ball, never the call of the striking team. A lively discussion may ensue, but if the receiving team is insistent, it is always their call (which could be in or out). Keep calm and carry on.
Personal respect
Remember that this is just a game; we are all friends; and in three minutes it will all be forgotten. It is natural to be annoyed from time to time, but please use your energy to play better.
Club rules vs. ‘official’ rules
There are no Nelson Pickleball Club game rules. What is outlined here is etiquette, and is not intended to replace the rules of the game. From time to time, those proper rules will be called upon. If players cannot agree to agree on their best understanding of those rules, it is better to replay a point. It really is not worth a lengthy debate.
Noise levels
While anything goes inside at Mary Hall, it’s a different matter outside. Please keep in mind that we play in a residential area, and shouting and exclamations of joy, shock and awe should kept to an absolute minimum.
Respect for courts and equipment
NPC has a zero tolerance for abuse to equipment, let alone other people. As we are all adults, there isn’t a lot more that we can say than it will be considered very unsporting to take your disappointment out on your paddle, the net or any other part of the court or the fence.
Appropriate level of play
While most games will be arranged within a ‘peer’ group, such as Advanced, Intermediate, or Fun Intermediate, there will be times when abilities are mixed. Do your best to be cognizant of this, and play to the right level. If it is a designated level game/session, for example Advanced, the advanced level players do not need to play at a lower level.
The Club does not wish to deter beginners, those trying out a new level, or visitors. There will be plenty of opportunities to play within your own cohort, so, in the exceptional circumstances when you need to play down, do so gracefully