Tournament Safety Rules and Additional Information
Safety Rules:
- A cooler of iced water bottles will be available while supplies last. Players are strongly encouraged to bring their own water and/or electrolyte drinks.
- Only water is allowed on the courts. Other drinks must remain off-court.
- Bags are not permitted on the courts. Please store them in designated areas. Please only bring water and a towel onto the court.
- Stay hydrated and watch for signs of overheating or illness.
- Immediately stop play if feeling sick, overheated, or experiencing any health concerns. Safety first!
- Do not run backwards on the court.
- Avoid injuries by not reaching or diving for out-of-reach balls.
- "Body bagging" (hitting players with the ball) is technically allowed in pickleball but strongly discouraged in this tournament. Hitting above shoulder height intentionally is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate removal from the tournament. Aim for the feet, not the head!
General Tournament Rules:
- Matches will adhere to the USA Pickleball Official Rules, unless otherwise specified.
- Tournament-provided outdoor pickleballs must be used for all matches.
- Players must bring paddles that comply with USA Pickleball paddle regulations.
- Do not abandon your match to retrieve balls that go over the fence. Extra balls will be provided on the courts, and volunteers will retrieve balls that leave the playing area.
- Players must call their own lines, erring on the side of "in" if the ball is very close.
Tournament Levels:
- Adult Beginner/Advanced Beginner
- Adult Intermediate/Advanced Intermediate
- Teens
Round Robin Format:
- Each player participates in five (5) matches.
- Each match will be 12 minutes or first to 11 points, win by 2, whichever occurs first.
- Players will be paired with different partners for each match, matched by similar skill levels.
Scoring & Reporting:
- Clearly announce and confirm final scores at the conclusion of each match.
- Record your individual points immediately after each game.
- Volunteers will collect scores from each court between matches.
- After recording scores, proceed promptly to your next assigned court or designated waiting area if not playing in the next round.
Player Absence & Cutthroat Play:
- If a player leaves the court due to illness, overheating, or injury, remaining players should immediately switch to cutthroat format.
- In cutthroat play, the three remaining players will continue the match from their current scores until the match concludes.
Match Timing & Forfeits:
- Matches begin with a clear audible signal (bell or horn).
- A 3-minute rest period will be provided between matches.
- Players must begin the match within 5 minutes of the audible start signal.
- Failure to start within 5 minutes allows the waiting players to call a forfeit. A forfeited match results in an automatic Pickle (11-0) score in favor of the ready-to-play players.
Playoff & Medal Rounds:
- After all round-robin matches, total points will be calculated.
- In case of ties, the top 4 players in each division will compete in playoff matches to determine medal winners.
- Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be awarded to the top male and female players in each skill-level category.
- Players must be in attendance at the award ceremony to win a medal.
- Note: Medals awarded (Gold, Silver, Bronze) represent placement only and are not made of actual gold, silver, or bronze.
Court Etiquette & Sportsmanship:
- Demonstrate good sportsmanship and courtesy towards players, spectators, volunteers, and officials at all times.
- Respect your opponents' calls; handle disputes calmly and respectfully.
- Poor sportsmanship or excessive arguing can result in tournament removal.
Attire / Equipment / Food:
- Appropriate athletic clothing and non-marking court shoes are mandatory.
- Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and protective gear are recommended.
- Please bring your own chair to sit in as these courts do not have any seating.
- We will have pizza available around noon for players, sponsors and volunteers - again while supplies last. Please feel free to bring your own snacks/lunch if you don’t like or eat pizza!
Weather & Refund Policy:
- The tournament is outdoors; therefore, it cannot be played in inclement weather.
- Tournament fees are "rain or shine." If the tournament is canceled due to weather, there will be no reschedule or refunds due to limitations of the school calendar year and court availability.
- All tournament proceeds will be donated directly to The Healing Bridge Clinic regardless of whether play occurs.
Miscellaneous:
- Tournament organizers reserve the right to adjust rules as needed for safety, fairness, or operational efficiency.
