Rule Updates: September 1, 2018 (for Fall League)

Legends Pickleball League

PICKLEBALL LEAGUE RULES

The following rules are a quick overview of how the game is played. There are rule modifications made to meet the Legends Pickleball League. All other rules will be governed by the USA Pickleball Association. Legends Pickleball League reserves the right to modify or change league rules or match play for the betterment of the leagues.

Refund Policy:

     Refunds minus a $15 admin fee are allowed up to two weeks prior to the season starting.  No refunds afrer this date due to the planning needed to set up the league.

1. Eligibility and Overview

A) All players must be 18 years of age and older to participate.  Or with parent/guardian or have parent permission form.
B) This league is played as doubles and singles based on self-rated skill level of both players.

C) A team consists of two players.  Teams can use a substitute for a player (must be the similar skill level) to fill in if one of the main two players is absent. If both main players are absent the matches will be declared forfeits.

      1. Substitution can be a player from the same league or skill level.

      2. The league has a Substitution List - contact us as soon as you know you cannot make a match. 

D) League play is doubles format; consisting of men’s, women’s or mixed.

E) Legends Pickleball League will provide game balls. Players are responsible for their own paddles.

F) Teams will be scheduled best of 3 games per match. Games are to 11 by 2.   

Remember, this is NOT BEST 2 OF 3!  PLAY ALL 3 GAMES!

G) A players at the end of each match should record their score, using the Legends Pickleball League score cards or email score to .

H) Standings will be on the basis of: 

      1) OVERALL match Win/Loss
      2) Tie-Breaker #1 - Head to Head
      3) Tie-Breaker #2 -  Overall Game Win/Loss

I) Playoffs

     1. All teams make the playoffs - Seedings are based on standings per above.

2. Determining Serving Team

A) First team listed on schedule goes 1st.

3. The Serve

A) The serve must be made underhand.
1.) Section 4 of the IFP Rulebook, 4.A.1: Underhand Defined.

The arm must be moving in an upward arc and the paddle head shall be below the wrist when it strikes the ball (paddle head is that part of the paddle excluding handle. The highest point of the paddle head cannot be above any part of line formed where the wrist joint bends).

B) Paddle contact with the ball must be below the server’s waist (navel level).

C) The serve is initiated with at least one foot behind the baseline; neither foot may contact the baseline or court until after the ball is struck.

D) The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court. 

E) Only one serve attempt is allowed, except in the event of a let (the ball touches the net on the serve and lands on the proper service court; let serves are replayed).

4. Service Sequence

A) Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault *(except for the first service sequence of each new game).

B) The first serve of each side-out is made from the right-hand court.
C) If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left-hand court.

D) As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed and the first server loses the serve.

E) When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court (except for the first service sequence of the game*).

F) The second server continues serving until their team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team.

G) Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right-hand court and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults.

H) In singles the server serves from the right-hand court when his or her score is even and from the left when the score is odd. *At the beginning of each new game only one partner on the serving team has the opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving team.

5. Scoring

A) Points are scored only by the serving team.

B) When the serving team’s score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) the player who was the first server in the game for that team will be in the right-side court when serving or receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) that player will be in the left-side court when serving or receiving.

6. Double-Bounce Rule

A) 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.

B) After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit the ball before itbounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke).

C) The double bounce rule eliminates the serve and volley advantage and extends rallies.

7. Non-Volley Zone

A) The non-volley zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net.

B) Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone. This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone.

C) 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’smomentum causes them or anything they are wearing or carrying to touch the non-volley zone including the associated lines.

D) 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.

E) A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball. F) The non-volley zone iscommonly referred to as “the kitchen.”

8. Line Calls

A) A ball contacting any line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”

B) A ball contacting the playing surface outside of the baseline or sideline, even though the edge of the ball overlaps the line, is considered out of bounds.

C) Players will call the lines on their side of the court.  Players from either team may call non-volley zone faults

D) No player should question an opponent’s call unless asked. A player should ask the opponent’s opinion if the opponent was in the better position to see the call. An opponent’s opinion, if requested, shall be accepted. The opinion of a playerlooking down the line is more likely to be accurate than one looking across the line.

E) A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is short and a fault. F) Players are responsible for all line calls.

9. Faults

A) A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation.
B) A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team.
C) A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or side out.D) A fault occurs when:

     1) A serve does not land within the confines of the receiving court

     2) The ball is hit into the net on the serve or any return
     3) The ball is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side

     4) The ball is hit out of bounds

     5) A ball is volleyed from the non-volley zone
     6) A ball bounces twice before being struck by the receiver

     7) 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

     8) There is a violation of a service rule
     9) A ball in play strikes a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying
      ui8o10) A ball in play strikes any permanent object before bouncing on the court

10. Other Rules

A) When net system have a horizontal bar that includes a center base. If the ball goes over the net and hits the center base or the horizontal bar, it is a let and will be replayed.

11. International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) – Official Tournament Rulebook www.usapa.org/docs/ifp/USAPA-Rulebook.pdf