PCPC Pickleball Safety and Etiquette

Fair play and sportsmanship are keys to success and enjoyment in any sport. The PCPC has adopted Pickleball Safety and Etiquette practices to ensure safety and smooth operations on the pickleball courts. This document is a PCPC Governing Document, and as such, must be followed in order to maintain membership in the PCPC.

Court Safety

1. Wear appropriate court shoes.
2. Do NOT back up on the court, turn and move sideways. Consider the option of just letting the ball go and trying for the next point.
3. Do NOT run into other active courts when playing your point.
4. Do NOT chase your ball through other active courts – wait for others to return your ball to you. Raise your arm to indicate you can receive the ball.
5. When retrieving a loose ball, look for players waving at you to receive the ball and, when possible, return ball behind courts. Don’t just slam the ball out of the way, ensure a loose ball is returned to the proper court.
6. STOP play immediately if a loose ball comes on your court or behind it – shout PICKLE. Return the loose ball to a player ready to receive it and replay your rally.
7. When going to and from a court be aware and stay well clear of other active players and courts.
8. Keep yourself well hydrated and wear sun protection.
9. Consider wearing eye protection.

Court Etiquette

Etiquette: [ET - i - kit] defined as: “conventional requirements as to social behaviour; prescribed or accepted code of usage.”

1. At the beginning of the game introduce yourself, if not familiar with your partner or players.
2. Call immediately and loudly if you or your partner land in the NVZ (kitchen) on a volley.

1. Be familiar with the rules of Pickleball.
2. Remember, the only faults you may call on your opponent during recreational play are foot faults (service and non-volley zone). Those are only enforceable as a fault if the person allegedly committing the foot fault agrees with your call; otherwise, it's a replay.
   
   
3. Rule 13.D.1.c “In non-officiated matches, players may call non-volley zone 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.”
4. In non-officiated matches, you can certainly mention other faults (like double bounces on the other side of the net) you think your opponent committed, but you have no authority to enforce them.

Rule 13.D.1.d For non-officiated matches, if a player believes an opponent has committed any type of fault other than a service or non-volley zone foot fault as noted in section 7—Fault Rules, 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.'

1. 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 and you can practice specific slower shots. If you are playing with weaker players work on shots that they can return and learn from.
2. If you are playing a stronger player, you can also benefit by hitting to them– it will make you a better player plus keep the game interesting for all who are playing.
3. Do not deliberately slam at weaker or female opponents. There is a line between hitting a winning shot and hitting an unnecessary shot.
4. Once your game is finished, call out “Court” so the next group waiting knows it is their turn to play.
5. Be aware of the play type when you show up at a court and agree to follow the specified group process for that play event. You may not get to play with a specific pairing every game. Be ready to play when it’s your turn.
6. Restrain from providing unsolicited coaching on the court. If someone asks for your input, do so briefly being mindful of the flow of the game. You can ask if a person wants feedback, but respect their answer.
7. When a ball on your side is out of bounds, call “out” loudly, as well as using a hand signal with your hand/arm pointing up.

1. When courts are busy and you are on deck, have your foursome ready to move quickly to an open court .
2. Communication with your partner about strategy and positioning during play is expected and helpful, but random comments during play are discouraged as distracting to the other players.

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 may ask the opposition to help with a call, and if you do, their decision is FINAL .
4. If you did not see whether a ball bounced in or out on your side of the net–it is IN.