Court Etiquette

Paddle Placement

When there are six or more (6+) paddles in the saddle:

• Paddles of the two (2) winning players are placed on the side with the “W”

• Paddles of the two (2) losing players are placed on the side with the “L”. 

• All paddles are placed at the end of the line. 

• Four (4) new players enter at a time (4-in). 

  • First person collects all four paddles at once (do not just grab your paddle and run to the court) – help get your players to the court. 

  • Move all remaining paddles forward in the same order.

  • Switch the arrow to the other side

  • If there are not enough paddles in a row for four players to enter, then the paddle(s) are selected starting with the next person/paddle due to go in.  This may include paddles from the other row (starting at the front).  Subsequently begin placing paddles in a single row.

 

When there are fewer than six (6) paddles in the saddle (5 or less)

• The two winners stay on and split with two new players entering. 

• Line them all in one row (2-in). 

• Arrow does not switch.

 

New arrivals place their paddle at the end of the line.  If there are two lines for paddles, new arrivals can pick either side to place their paddle.

 

DO NOT move paddles, except moving your paddles to the end of the line, without first communicating with affected parties.  Individuals can decide to move their paddle to the end of line if they want to wait, the remaining paddles move up in the same order that they were.

 

Line/fault calls

Players call lines/faults on their side of the net. 

 

A player can overrule their teammate’s call for a line call. 

 

For line calls, the ball is “in”, no debate, if teammates express a differing opinion. 

If you cannot tell for certain, call the ball “in”.

 

A ball is presumed “in” if play continues after 3rd hit following the initial play (cannot continue play and then decide after-the-fact) – See example scenarios: 

SCENARIO 1 (Ball is “out”)

• Player from Team 1 makes a shot down the line. 

• Player from Team 2 plays the ball – 1st hit.

• Player from Team 1 returns the ball - 2nd hit

• However, Team 2 has called the ball “out”. 

• Stop play immediately

[EXAMPLE: Team 2 may hit the ball prior to calling the ball out.  Meanwhile, Team 1 may return play.  Team 2 must make the “out” call (loudly) prior to returning the ball again to Team 1.]

SCENARIO 2 (Ball is “in”)

• Player from Team 1 makes a shot down the line. 

• Player from Team 2 makes the play – 1st hit.

• Player from Team 1 returns the ball - 2nd hit.

• Player from Team 2 returns the ball – 3rd hit.  

• Continue play.

 

Players may call non-volley zone (kitchen) and service foot faults on the opponent’s end of the court. If there is any disagreement among players about the called foot fault, a replay shall occur.

 

If a player believes an opponent has committed any type of fault other than a service or non-volley zone foot fault, they may mention the specific fault to the opponent(s) but they have no authority to enforce the fault. The final decision on fault resolution belongs to the player that allegedly committed the fault.

 

If there is any question, error on the side of good sportsmanship!

 

No calls from spectators (people not playing on that court), even if solicited by a player. 

 

Scoring

Play to 11 points; win by two, when there are less than 13 (<13) paddles in the saddle (up to 24 players in the gym with 12 playing).   

 

Play to 9 points; win by two, when there are more than 13 (13+) paddles in the saddle (25+ players in the gym with 12 playing). 

 

Safety

No obstacles around courts that can present a tripping hazard to players (bags, barriers, equipment, etc.)

 

No obstacles blocking access to/from the gym (hallway).  A person not playing can stand in a location to help stop balls.  If this person wants to sit in a chair, make sure the chair is not blocking access AND remove chair when done (don’t leave the chair unattended). 

 

Call “Ball on Court #” when your ball rolls off of your court (NOTE: At the Church gym, Court 1 is located on the north end of the gym, where equipment room is located).

• STOP PLAY immediately whenever a ball from another court is within play/vision of your court.

• Pick up a loose ball

  • Look and determine where the ball goes for sure before returning it.

  • DO NOT kick the ball or use your paddle to knock it out of your way…where you think it should go.

  • REMEMBER: “Knowing before going”

• DO NOT run onto an adjacent court chasing a loose ball when they are in-play.

 

For Courts 1 and 3 (indoor), enter/exit the court from the side where there is a gym wall - so as to not interfere with play on Court 2.

 

For Court 2 (indoor), enter/exit the court, from one side, when the play (current point) on Court 1 or 3 has concluded – so as to not interfere with play.