Pickleball is for all, but in order to play at the Central Douglas County YMCA,
you must:
* Be at least 15-years-old. If younger, you must have a parent with you while playing.
* Attend an orientation, which is every Wednesday from 9 to 9:30 a.m..
* Read and acknowledge your agreement to the following Umpqua Valley Pickleball Court Rules and Sportsmanship Conduct.
Safety
* Athletic gear must be worn: shirt, shorts or warm-ups, and athletic shoes.
* Protective eyewear is recommended, but not required.
* No food, drinks, or gum are allowed on the court.
* Notify YMCA staff of defective or broken equipment.
* If a ball rolls onto your court during play, stop the game so that the ball can be removed and then replay the point.
* Do not randomly roll or kick or flick the ball out of your way, but throw or hit it back to a player on the court from where it came. (Conversely, if a ball rolls from your court to another one, make eye contact with the person returning it.)
* If a ball rolls under the curtain to the other basketball court, retrieve it as soon as the point is over, especially if the other court is being used for another activity.
Rules
Everyday and tournament play are governed by the USAPA Official Tournament Rulebook. Players need to be familiar with the USAPA rules of the game, with emphasis on the following:
* Rule and score disputes must be be resolved by the players themselves, rather than by spectators or players from other games.
* Before serving, the server must wait for the service receiver to be ready, and then announce the score loud enough so that everyone can hear it.
* The serve must be made with an underhand stroke so that contact with the ball is made below waist level. The arm must be moving in an upward arc and the paddle head shall be below the wrist when it strikes the ball.
* Players call the lines on their side of the court, but the opponent gets the benefit of the doubt on line calls made.
* If one player calls the ball “out” and the partner calls it “in,” then doubt exists and the ball must be declared “in.”
* Players call the lines on their side of the court, but the opponent gets the benefit of the doubt on line calls made.
* If one player calls the ball “out” and the partner calls it “in,” then doubt exists and the ball must be declared “in.”
Customs and Courtesies
* Please help to set up the nets and/or to put them away. Everyone is expected to know how to set up the nets, how to raise and lower the curtains and basketball backboards, and where to properly store equipment.
* Each new game starts on the east court.
* Games are played to 11 points. If both sides are tied at 10 points, then play continues until one side wins by 2 points.
* Games are played to 11 points. If both sides are tied at 10 points, then play continues until one side wins by 2 points.
* Teams do not switch sides halfway through the game.
* Losers sit and winners split to start a new game.
* When more than two players are waiting, use a sign-up list to determine who goes in next. If you have played three consecutive games, sit after the third game and sign-up to rotate back in.
* To minimize the disruption of games on courts 1 and 2, walk outside of the curtains to and from court 3.
* Players must vacate the courts and put away equipment immediately when requested by Parkway Skate or a basketball supervisor.
Etiquette
* Do not hit the ball in frustration or throw your paddle after losing a point. Return the ball to the server immediately so that the next point can be played.
* Use family-friendly language.
* Compliment both your partner and opposing players for good shots, but do not criticize them for poor shots.
* Spectators should be positive and encouraging, and not make any noises that disrupt play or comments that disrespect the players.
* Win or lose, at the end of the game touch paddles with your partner and opponents. * Please do not cause games to be disrupted with cell phone calls.
