Pickleball League Rules

Fort Worth Tennis Association Pickleball – LEAGUE RULES

I. GENERAL.

All participants in FWTA Pickleball are bound by FWTA Pickleball Rules, as well as those of the USAPA. Not all possible incidents and ramifications are covered in the following rules. Participants in unusual or undocumented situations will have to abide by the decisions of the Rules Committee and/or the Board of Directors. If there is a conflict in an interpretation of any rule, FWTA Pickleball Rules shall supersede. The FWTA Pickleball Rules as provided herein shall apply to all FWTA Pickleball members unless such rules are revised, amended, or otherwise changed by the FWTA Board of Directors. In such an event, the FWTA Pickleball Rules shall be updated on the FWTA website and posted to the FWTA Facebook page.

II. ROSTER REQUIREMENTS 

1. MEMBERSHIP FEE. All team members register through FWTA and must pay the season league fee prior to participation.
2. PLAYER QUALIFICATIONS
3. A player may be listed on only one (1) roster per division.
4. No one under 18 years of age may participate in adult leagues.
5. A team will consist of at least eight (8) members. A maximum of sixteen (16) players are allowed per team for Men’s and Women’s league. A maximum of twenty-four (24) players per team are allowed for Mixed League.
6. A player with an USAPA rating of 5.0 or higher is restricted to playing at the highest level.

III. ROSTER REGISTRATION

1. ALL TEAMS must have a designated Captain.
2. ALL NEW TEAMS and RETURNING TEAMS must register online by the published deadline. A link will be provided for submitting payment by the league coordinator. NO CHECKS (in any form) or CASH will be accepted.
3. Returning team defined as one with more than 50% of the same players on roster as previous season.
4. Only a returning established team may receive the benefit of an earned promotion.
5. Rosters are permanent ON the published registration deadline. NO player may be deleted from a roster after the published registration deadline.
6. Player add deadline will be two (2) days prior to the fifth scheduled match. The addition of new players must not cause a team to exceed the published maximum number allowed on a roster.
7. Players must be registered – subs are not permitted.

IV. TEAM PLACEMENT 

1. TEAM MOVEMENT AMONG FLIGHTS 
2. Existing teams will move from flight to flight based on the results of play in the season just completed. The upward progression of a team through a flight is from the B division to the A division. Between flights, the upward progression is from the A division to the B division in the higher flight. Movement into the Open flight will be a single division at a time. The team movement will be as follows:
3. A team finishing first in its division will automatically move to the division above. The first-place finisher would be considered as the sixth position in the division above.
4. A team finishing first in two (2) consecutive seasons will, upon its consent, be placed two (2) divisions higher UNLESS that division is to an Open division.
5. A team finishing first in three (3) consecutive seasons will, upon its consent, be placed three (3) divisions higher UNLESS that division is to an Open division.
6. A team finishing second in its division may move to the division above, subject to openings in that higher division.
7. A team finishing second-to-last in its division will move to the division below unless an opening remains in the division in which it competed after all other team movements have been made.
8. A team finishing last in its division will move to the division below. The last place finisher would be considered as the fifth position in the division below.
9. A team finishing last in two (2) consecutive seasons will, upon its consent, be placed two (2) divisions lower.
10. No team position is secure except for first place finishers.
11. Existing teams may move up or down depending on the placement of new teams and/or openings in the divisions above.
12. NEW TEAM PLACEMENT 
13. The Placement Committee is responsible for determining the divisions new teams will be placed. The Committee’s decision will be based on information provided by the team captain, existing FWTA Pickleball records and experience, and NTRP ratings.

V. COURTS AND BALLS 

1. COURTS AND FACILITIES. Each team is required to guarantee use of 3 hard outdoor pickleball courts each week for match play at an approved facility.
2. Home teams MUST provide two (2) hours per match.
3. Home teams must provide courts at FWTA Pickleball approved facilities and balls.
4. Teams that use unapproved facilities may be subject to penalties.
5. SCHEDULING
6. Matches will be scheduled on designated league days unless postponed due to rain/extreme temperature conditions, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Good Friday or by a decision of the FWTA Board of Directors.
7. Match start times between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. for Women’s league and at 5 p.m. for men’s and mixed leagues.
8. After Home match times have been posted, any TIME and/or LOCATION changes must be agreed upon by BOTH captains and reported to the League Coordinator.
9. BALLS
10. Home teams must supply 6 new, yellow or neon USAPA approved outdoor pickleballs. One (1) ball per line will be used for all three (3) matches. Remaining three (3) balls will be available for back-up should they crack or become defective.

VI. MATCH PLAY 

1. All team matches will consist of three (3) lines, two (2) games each, of doubles.
2. MATCH FORMAT
3. Each team will provide 3 doubles team partnerships (fixed partnership). Line-ups identifying doubles teams will be written on the scoresheet and exchanged prior to the start of the match after which they may not change.
4. Round Robin Rotation with each round playing 2 games to 11 points (win by 2).
5. Visiting team chooses to either serve, receive, pick a side, or defer the first game of each round. Teams shall switch sides after each game. The team that initiated serve in the first game shall receive in the second game.
6. Round Robin (as follows):

Round 1:

Home team line 1 plays Visiting line 1. Home team line 2 plays Visiting line 2. Home team line 3 plays Visiting line 3.

Round 2:

Home team line 1 plays Visiting line 2. Home team line 2 plays Visiting line 3. Home team line 3 plays Visiting line 1.

Round 3:

Home team line 1 plays Visiting line 3. Home team line 2 plays Visiting line 1. Home team line 3 plays Visiting line 2

1. A maximum warm-up time of five (5) minutes will be allowed at the start of Round 1 only. A maximum of two (2) minutes is allowed between games. Up to five (5) minutes are allowed between each round.
2. Two (2) one (1) minute time outs are allowed per game per team. Bathroom breaks should be taken between rounds.
3. WARM-UP COURTS. Facilities are not required to provide warm-up courts before a match is scheduled to begin. This is a facility courtesy provided to visiting teams. A visiting team captain should always check-in upon arriving at a facility and request availability.
4. DEFAULT TIME. If a player or players arrive on court fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled match time but before sixteen (16) minutes, the line(s) will be allowed to play and given a warm-up, not to exceed five (5) minutes. Sixteen (16) minutes past the scheduled match, the line(s) are a DEFAULT. (Example: The match is scheduled for 9:30a.m. Score sheets must be made out and exchanged prior to the designated match time. Warm-up may take place, but play may not begin until all players are present (6players) or until a default has been declared. The match is considered a default at 9:36 a.m.)
5. SCORING. Two (2) points will be scored for each game won. A losing team scoring 6 or more points in a game will be awarded one (1) point.
6. In the event of a tie, team who wins match overall will be awarded the win for that line
7. COACHING. Coaching will be allowed between games and between rounds not to exceed allocated time limits.
8. CAPTAINS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
9. Exchange lineups. The team captain, or designates, MUST HAVE LINEUPS MADE OUT AND EXCHANGED PRIOR TO the designated match time.
10. Enter match scores. Match scores must be entered by the home team captain within 24 hours of match completion.
11. After score sheets are exchanged, there can be NO SWITCHING of players, teams, or positions. Replacement of players may occur only under the following conditions:
12. A player does not show up and an eligible replacement is available before default time.
13. An injury or emergency during the warm-up occurs and an eligible replacement can be made within the default time.
14. An eligible player is a player whose name is on the team’s roster but is not on the current match score sheet.
15. Captains must inform the opposing captain of any lineup changes before the match begins.
16. Score sheets must be completed, signed and kept by each captain. In the event of a discrepancy in the scores, the captains may be asked to provide a copy of the score sheet in question.
17. Visiting team captains are responsible for checking the entered scores and reporting any inaccuracies to the League Coordinator within seventy-two (72) hours of the completed match. After seventy-two (72) hours, the scores will stand as entered.
18. FACILITIES WITH MULTIPLE START TIMES. If a team/partnership from an earlier scheduled match has not completed Round 3, they must relinquish court(s) to later scheduled match and continue play on alternate court(s) at same facility. Should alternate courts not be available, the later scheduled match must wait up to one-half (1/2) hour for earlier match(s) to finish. If after one-half (1/2) hour match(s) are still in play, courts must then be relinquished and the match will be scored as a retirement to the visiting team.
19. PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES 
20. Read and know USAPA and FWTA Rules to be prepared for any situation that may arise. Take a copy of the rules to the court.
21. Know the lineup (playing position) and the names of the opponents before starting the match.
22. Players involved in a dispute during a match can declare that the match is being played under protest and must continue the match to its conclusion. The players can file a formal grievance with the League Coordinator and pickleball liaison following the match.

VI. DEFAULTS AND RETIRED MATCHES 

1. If a player or players arrive on court fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled match time but before sixteen (16) minutes, the line(s) will be allowed to play and given a warm-up, not to exceed five (5) minutes. Sixteen (16) minutes past the scheduled match, the line(s) are a DEFAULT. (Example: The match is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Score sheets must be made out and exchanged prior to the designated match time. Warm-up may take place, but play may not begin until all players are present.)
2. EXCEPTION: If a player or players arrive after the Round 1 default time (16 minutes past scheduled match time) but before the first ball is played in Round 2, they will be allowed to play remaining Rounds (2 & 3) without any additional penalties. Round 1 points will be credited to the team having both players present prior to the default time and recorded with the winners’ score as a DEFAULT. The score is recorded without names as 11-0, 11-0. Once a default has been given, the default stands.
3. When a default occurs regardless of which line cannot play, defaulting begins with the lowest line.
4. If defaulting a line, as a courtesy, contact the opposing captain and notify them of the default prior to the match.
5. All default time limitations shall apply to rescheduled matches.
6. If a line is defaulted, points are credited to the team having both players present prior to the default time and recorded with the winners’ score as DEFAULT. The score is recorded without names as 11- 0, 11-0. Once a default has been given, the default stands.
7. If a default has been given prior to a match and the match that is scheduled to be played outdoors is rained out with no play, then the default is voided.
8. A retirement occurs when an individual match has started and a player/doubles team is unable to continue due to injury, loss of condition, emergency, or refusal to play. If a match is RETIRED, write the match score up to the point of retirement on the score sheet. All points and games stand as played. Score the match exactly as played, giving the win (two (2) points) to the team who did not stop play.
9. A player suffering from a treatable medical condition may take an INJURY/BLEEDING TIME OUT at the time of the injury or at the end of a game.
10. Time out during play – play will be called within three (3) minutes after the injury.
11. Time out taken at the end of a game – play will be called at the end of five (5) minutes.
12. For a bleeding time out, a total of 15 minutes may be taken at the time of injury or at the end of a game.
13. During a match only one (1) time out for the same injury/bleeding incident is allowed.
14. If play is not resumed within the required time, the injured player is retired.
15. NO MATCHES ARE TO BE RESCHEDULED UNLESS POSTPONED DUE TO:
16. Rain
17. Holidays
18. OR, the captain requesting the rescheduled match provides AT LEAST seven (7) days’ notice to the opposing team captain. Both teams MUST have a full line up available for the requested reschedule. PLEASE NOTE: if the captain requesting reschedule does not provide seven (7) days’ notice to the opposing captain, it is opposing team captain’s discretion whether the match is rescheduled. Otherwise, match default applies. REMEMBER: the spirit of the league is social and fun. Please be as accommodating as your player availability allows for requested rescheduling.
19. Captains must notify the opposing captain and League Coordinator in writing of the need to reschedule seven (7) days prior to the originally scheduled match. BOTH captains must confirm the scheduled makeup match date (3) days prior to the originally scheduled match.
20. Follow the same procedure as for rain delayed matches.
21. Extreme Temperature Conditions
22. Day of match protocol: The HOME captain determines the conditions at the match site and is responsible for notifying the VISITING captain no more than three (3) hours prior to the match start time on the SCHEDULED DAY OF THE MATCH. BOTH captains must verify through www.weather.com if the temperature conditions listed below exist. Either captain may choose to reschedule the match.
23. www.weather.com Hourly “FEELS” or “FEELS LIKE” reading based on the zip code of the home facility, at the start time of the match, is 32 degrees or lower. Match start time may be delayed, not to exceed one (1) hour if BOTH captains agree.
24. www.weather.com Hourly ‘FEELS” OR “FEELS LIKE” reading based on the zip code of the home facility, at the start time of the match, is 105 degrees or higher.
25. www.weather.com Hourly “WIND” reading based on the zip code of the home facility, at the start time of the match, exceeds 25 mph.
26. Indoor Court Policy Due to Extreme Weather
27. Matches may be moved to indoor courts (tennis court surface only) if extreme weather events occur.
28. BOTH captains MUST agree to play indoors for the match to occur. If agreed, indoor court costs should be split among players of both teams (indoor court fees only – not facility guest fees if they apply).
29. If one team does not agree to play indoors, the match should be rescheduled to outdoors on another day (at the home team’s facility).
30. When matches are cancelled due to extreme weather, teams cannot be defaulted if they do not agree to play indoors because of the cost to their players.
31. RAIN DELAYED MATCHES 
32. In the event of rain, all players must be ON SITE for play at least half an hour beyond the time of the scheduled match unless BOTH team captains agree otherwise. Should rain begin after match play has begun, all players must remain ON SITE half an hour to resume match play unless BOTH captains agree otherwise.
33. If a match is cancelled due to rain, HOME team Captains must notify League Coordinator within 48 hours of the new rescheduled match date.
34. ONLY IN ROUND 3 may lines be rescheduled by positions rather than as a whole team. Home team captains must be flexible in offering three (3) or more alternate days and times.
35. All rescheduled matches must be played within a three (3) week period of the originally scheduled match (day one beginning from the day after the original scheduled match through 21 days). Any subsequent rescheduled matches will be allowed a one (1) week extension from the rescheduled date (day one beginning from the day after the rescheduled match through seven (7) days) OR the remainder of the ORIGINAL THREE (3) WEEK PERIOD.
36. All rescheduled matches must be completed and posted prior to the specified deadline date for that season as stated by FWTA.
37. Once a match is officially rescheduled, it cannot be changed unless it rains or both captains agree. Matches must be made up by the end of the season.
38. Incomplete matches will be continued by the same players at the exact place halted: round, game and points. Indicate such on the back of both score sheets to prevent controversy when resuming play.
39. In matches where lineups have been exchanged, but the match not begun, a NEW lineup may be exchanged for the rescheduled match. If a default has been issued, it is now voided. However, if a minimum of one court has served the first ball, the lineup is locked in and cannot be changed.
40. Lineups must be made out and exchanged by the designated rescheduled match time.

ROUND 3: If positions play at different times, the lineups may be filled out as the positions are played.

1. CHILDREN. Unsupervised children are not allowed on or around the courts during match play. Children must be supervised prior to beginning and throughout play.
2. ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
3. A player may not use any device capable of receiving communication during the match, except between rounds. Devices include but are not limited to cell phones and smart watches.
4. WATER. Each player is responsible for providing his or her own water ON COURT.
5. SPORTSMANSHIP. The purpose of Fort Worth Tennis Association Pickleball is to promote social pickleball, good fellowship, and SPORTSMANSHIP in accordance with FWTA and USAPA Rules. The Board of Directors will review any act of physical violence, directly before, during, or after a FWTA match is played. Severe penalties, including indefinite suspension from FWTA will apply.

VII. RULE/SPORTSMANSHIP VIOLATIONS – GRIEVANCES. 

1. RULES VIOLATION. Should a Rule violation or dispute arise among members that cannot be resolved among themselves, the proper steps to take for a filing shall be:
2. Contact the League Coordinator for the League Grievance Form. Grievances and all supporting statements and documentation MUST be sent within 5 days of alleged Grievance.
3. Players must include the rule over which they are filing a grievance. Rule(s) can be copy/pasted onto Grievance Form or can be attached separately.
4. Grievance Reports must contain statements from all players involved.
5. Please note, a captain CANNOT file a grievance if players are not willing to participate in grievance procedure. All players involved must participate in the procedure and provide documentation of the incident.
6. Once completed Grievance Form is received, the Rules Committee will respond within 5 business days of form submission.
7. Please note, Grievance Reports are NOT CONFIDENTIAL and will be provided to parties involved in the grievance to ensure Administrative due process.
8. SPORTSMANSHIP VIOLATION. If the Rules Committee deems a Sportsmanship complaint to be valid, the following procedure may be taken:
9. First Offense – Warning;
10. Second Offense – Five (5) Point Penalty to offending team, and;
11. Third Offense – Player or team may be suspended.

VIII. DIVISION WINNERS 

1. A total of all points at the end of the regular season will determine the order of finish in a division.
2. Standings are not final until all scores are corrected, ties are broken and finalized by League Coordinator.
3. Ties for all positions will be broken by one of the following methods, in this order:
4. Match score among tied teams (head-to-head)
5. Fewest games lost among tied teams (head-to-head)
6. Fewest games lost against all opponents.
7. Toss of coin.
8. Awards will be given to all members of the FIRST-place teams in each division.