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Categories of Play

Social Play

Social play emphasizes enjoyment, community, and inclusivity. It’s characterized by a relaxed atmosphere where players of all skill levels gather to have fun, make friends, and improve their game without the pressure of competition. The primary goal is to enjoy the activity rather than to win, fostering a supportive environment where everyone feels welcome. This type of play features mixed-level games, where beginners can learn from experienced players, and everyone can enjoy a casual, light-hearted match. This setting is ideal for those who appreciate the social aspects of sports and are looking to integrate physical activity with social interaction.

Changes to Play: We ask no over hand smashes with excessive force. Advanced or stronger players should not be hitting powerful drives nor powerful serves. Do not attack the weaker player trying to win, spread the ball around. Great opportunity to practice. If you’re working on something, let your partner know. For example: “I’m working on 3rd shot drops.” That way there is less pressure to execute and your partner needs to be patient with it. Do not intentionally body bag people. Do not lob excessively, especially if your opponent isn’t very mobile

Competitive Play (formerly 3.5+)

We are replacing 3.5+ definition with competitive play. We are a seasonal club and do not want or indeed have the capacity to rank players, but the majority of our members do want to play at times in a competitive environment. We ask you to decide on the level of competitive play you are looking for and hope you will do so in recognition of your and the standard of play you are playing with your fellow members. We have liaisons who you can approach for advice and they will be happy to help. We also hope the following more specific definition will add value

Competitive play is focused on skill, strategy, and winning. Players who engage in competitive play are typically more experienced and have a strong desire to improve their rankings and achieve specific goals. The atmosphere is more intense, with a clear emphasis on performance, precision, and tactical game play. This type of play demands higher levels of physical fitness, mental toughness, and a deep understanding of the game’s strategies. Competitive play is ideal for those who thrive under pressure and enjoy the challenge of facing higher skilled opponents.
 
Requirements to Play:We have a list of recommended play levelsAnyone can play competitive, but we ask you to have the below attributes and you may be asked to play social.Need to be able to CONSISTENTLY hit dropsMust be able to use your backhand OR switch hand effectivelyMust have the mobility to get to the kitchen after return of serve, as well as lateral mobility

Balanced Play - (formerly ladder play)

Balanced Play is designed to ensure balanced competition by matching players with others of similar skill levels. This format allows participants to compete against equally skilled opponents, creating a more enjoyable and challenging experience for everyone involved. The courts are separated by skill level, court 1 will have the 5 best players, court 2 will have the next 5, and so on down to court 6. Depending on the players performance during their matches, their court positions MAY adjust for the following competition, continually refining the balance and ensuring that players face opponents who provide an appropriate level of competition. This approach helps players improve their skills, maintain motivation, and enjoy fair and exciting games, contributing to a more engaging and rewarding pickleball experience.

Initial Ranking: Returning club members are initially placed on courts based on their skill level as determined by the best of the ability of the club. New members will be asked their skill level and placed at the appropriate level. Where possible, it’s the club’s preference to assess new players but watching them play in either competitive or social, but we’re aware that is not always possible.

Match Scheduling: Players are grouped into small pools, of 4-6 players. Players are assigned games against others within their pool. Each player will play with and against every player in their pool. Each pool will play 4-8 games which will be called a match.

Playing Matches: Players compete in matches, and the outcomes determine their possible movement. Scoring and Ranking: After each match, results are recorded, and players earn one point for each point they score. The winner of the match may move up to a higher court, while the last placed player in a match may cause a player to move down a court. The aim is to reflect players' relative skills and successes accurately.

Game Play: Every game will be timed to ensure fair play. The amount of time will be determined by the number of players and games in a match. Players MUST arrive 15 minutes prior to play or may be disqualified.

FAQ
 

  • What is the goal of balanced play?

    • The ONLY goal of balanced play is to create good, competitive play for any skill level. The goal is not to get to the #1 court, the goal is to play with people of comparable skill.

  • Does winning my match mean I will move up the following match?

    • If it was the exact same players every time, then yes. However, since different players sign up to play every time there is no guarantee you will move up. For example, if you win on Tuesday, and want to play Wednesday, but 4 higher ranked players didn’t play Tuesday, but are playing Wednesday, you probably will not move up.

  • Does losing a match guarantee I will move down the following match?

    • Same answer as above, but reversed. If you lose, but higher ranked players don’t play the next match and more lower ranked players sign up, you will not move down.

  • How do I see the results?

    • The results will be posted here within 48 hours.

  • When can I sign up?

    • The link will refresh every Thursday by 9am. On Thursday you can sign up for the following week. We close registration 24 hours before the day of play.

  • How do I sign up?

    • Click HERE to sign up . Please bookmark this, we’ll notify you if the link changes.

  • Can I sign up through Court Reserve?

  • How do I know what time to play?

    • You will receive an email the day before letting you know what time slot you will play in.

  • Can I request a time slot?

    • No. Times are based on which pool you play in. Courts 1-3 play in the first time slot and courts 4-6 play in the second time slot.

  • I would like to play at the same time as my spouse, is this possible?

    • Unfortunately, no. To keep play balanced, everyone is assigned a time based on the pool they’re in and the pool is based upon performance.

  • Is balanced play the same as Ladder Play?

    • Last season we called it “Ladder Play,” but this caused confusion as it wasn’t a true ladder. After listening to the feedback of our members we have decided to rename it “balanced play” to provide more clarity.

  • ​​Why don’t first time players start at the bottom and work their way up?

    • This isn’t a traditional ladder. The idea isn’t to work your way up to the top rung like in a ladder. Our goal is to have 6 courts of balanced play. By putting top players on the bottom court could be very discouraging for both the new player as well as existing player.

  • If I’m on the bottom court and I lose, what happens?

    • Assuming all the same players return AND there is a waiting list, then the bottom two players would be put on a waiting list to make space for two people on the waiting list. Our goal is to get all players that wish to play an opportunity to play.

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