PICKLEball Rules

Let’s hope our skills match our enthusiasm.

I. Sportsmanship

  • QCSSC Commitment: We aim to provide a safe and fun environment for all players. Always maintain good sportsmanship, even during competitive moments.

  • Unacceptable Behavior: Any actions deemed inappropriate by QCSSC staff may result in suspension or ejection from the game or league.

  • Abuse Tolerance: No verbal or physical abuse towards officials, referees, other players, or QCSSC staff will be tolerated.

  • Fighting: Fighting results in automatic ejection from the game and possibly future events.

  • Physical Contact: Any inappropriate physical contact with intent to harm will result in immediate ejection from the tournament.

  • Reminder: This is for fun! Anyone displaying rude or disruptive behavior will be removed from the tournament.

II. Equipment & Field of Play

  1. Provided Equipment: QCSSC will provide balls. Players are responsible for bringing their own paddles.

  2. No-Volley Zone ("Kitchen"): Each side has a no-volley zone 7 feet from the net.

III. Teams/Substitutions

  • Each team consists of 2 players.

  • No gender requirements for teams.

IV. The Start of Play

  1. Rock, Paper, Scissors: Team captains will decide who serves first or which side they prefer.

  2. First Serve: The first serve will start with "0-0-2".

V. Serving Rules

  1. Serve Type: The ball is served underhand and diagonally.

  2. Rotation: Players alternate serves after winning a point until a fault occurs.

  3. Serve Bounce: The ball may bounce before being struck.

  4. Serving Area: Serve must cross the non-volley line on the opponent’s side.

  5. Faults on Serve:

    • If the serve lands in the non-volley zone or on the line, it’s a fault.

    • Only one serve attempt is allowed.

  6. Let Serves: Let serves (balls that touch the net but land inbounds) are considered in play. There are no limits on Let Serves.

  7. Double Bounce Rule:

    • The receiving team must let the ball bounce before returning it.

    • The serving team must let it bounce before returning as well.

VI. Scoring

  • Serving to Score: Points are scored when the receiving team commits a fault.

  • Game Point: A point is earned when the opposing team fails to return the ball or violates any rules.

VII. Faults

  • A fault stops play and occurs when:

    1. The ball hits the net on the serve or any return and doesn’t land inbounds.

    2. A volley occurs before the ball bounces on each side.

    3. The ball lands out of bounds.

    4. A player volleys from the non-volley zone.

    5. The ball bounces twice before being struck.

    6. A player or their equipment touches the net or net post during play.

    7. A violation of service rules.

    8. The ball strikes a player or their equipment during play.

VIII. Non-Volley Zone ("The Kitchen")

  1. Area: The non-volley zone extends 7 feet from the net on both sides.

  2. No Volleying: Volleying (hitting the ball out of the air) is not allowed within the non-volley zone.

  3. Faults in the Kitchen: It’s a fault if a player steps into the non-volley zone when volleying or is carried into it by momentum.

IX. Game Duration

  • Tournament:

    • Seeding: The tournament uses blind seeding, meaning teams are randomly placed in the bracket.

    • Format: The tournament follows a double-elimination format, where teams are given a second chance after a loss.