Safety, Etiquette & Rules
Safety, Play Etiquette & Basic Rules of Chilliwack Pickleball Club
Fair play and sportsmanship are keys to success and enjoyment in any sport. To ensure safety and
smooth operations on the pickleball courts, we request you follow the below guidelines and rules:
Court Safety
1. Wear proper court shoes
2. Always warm up before beginning your play session
3. Do NOT backup on the court, turn and move sideways
4. Do NOT run into other active courts when playing your ball
5. Do NOT chase your ball through other active courts – wait for others to return your ball to you
6. When retrieving a loose ball, look for players waving at you, when possible return ball behind courts
7. STOP play immediately if a loose ball comes on your court or behind it – shout BALL ON. Then
replay your rally
8. When going to and from a court be aware and stay well clear of other active players and courts
9. Keep yourself well hydrated
10.Consider wearing some type of eye protection
Court Etiquette
Etiquette: [ET - i - kit] defined as: “conventional requirements as to social behaviour; prescribed or accepted code of usage”.
1. Our Club uses the Shuffle system, which is moving from court to court when you or a game next to
you is finished. If your game is finished always go to the wall and move behind courts, wait until the
next court completes their rally and all courts shuffle down. Be courteous to those completing a rally.
2. At the beginning of the game introduce yourself, if not familiar with your partner or players
3. When you are playing in a non competitive situation take time once in a while to play with weaker
players – they will be thrilled to have the experience
4. Remember if a stronger player is on the court with you, hit to them and often – it will make you a
better player plus keep the game interesting for all who are playing. If you are playing with weaker
players work on shots that they can return and learn from
5. If playing against mixed partners be courteous and not slam directly at weaker or female opponents
6. If a ball comes into your court, stop play (paddle held high) retrieve ball and find which court it came
from and return gently, do not just swipe at the ball, it may not have come from a court next to you
7. If the play type is Play Rotation (paddle in box, board sign-up, chairs) or by Skill Level, understand
and follow the group process laid down and include all participating
8. Unsolicited coaching on the court is not to be done. If someone is new or asks for your input, do so
briefly being mindful of the flow of the game Best to instruct on a specified court and be invited
9. When a ball is out of bounds, call “out” loudly, as well as using a hand signal with your hand/arm
pointing up, because of noise level the hand signal is preferred
10. When courts are busy and you are on deck, have your foursome ready to move quickly to an open
court or as indicated by a process, always waiting for a court play to stop before moving behind
11. Be courteous to each other, no foul language or aggressive words or behaviour, positive remarks
and encouragement only.
12.Winning is always important, but if your developing your shots/strategy, communicate it to others before play
PB RULES as well as Etiquette
1. You must call out the score, so your opponents can hear, before serving the ball
2. The server must wait for the receiver to be ready before serving
3. You do line calls on your side of the net and NOT the other side
4. You may ask the opposition to help with a call, and then their decision is FINAL
5. If you did not see where a ball bounced – in or out on your side of the net – it is IN
6. For non-officiated recreational play, non-volley zone faults (such as foot faults) may be called by any
player on either team. It is up to the called person and side to acknowledge the call remembering
we are playing for fun. Recently revised rule 9.G A