Click here for the official:
FORMAT
1) This is a FLEX LEAGUE. This means the players/teams have to organize their own match play days, times, and courts. The Flex League allows for more players/teams to participate, eliminates the need for reserving court time/$ with the city, and gives you the flexibility to take vacation without the concern that you will miss a match.
2) COMMITMENT. Please be committed to playing all of your matches. Following through on your commitment to proactively set up matches when you are the home player/team and quickly respond to match requests will make it a better experience for everyone in your bracket.
3) Season length is determined by how many teams are in the bracket but will not exceed 12 weeks. Brackets may be combined or split up to achieve the optimal number of matches. General match guidelines:
-
6-10 teams - play each team 1x
-
5 teams - play each team 2x for 8 matches total
-
4 teams - play each team 2x for 6 matches total
-
3 teams - play each team 3x for 6 matches total
4) If you already have any established rating, you must use the highest rating available. You can play up in skill but not down and must play at the highest skill level between you and your partner.
5) Each match always consists of THREE GAMES to 11 points, win by 2, likely lasting less than an hour.
6) Matches can be played at any location that works for both teams. If both players/teams agree, matches can be played at locations using temporary nets.
7) Teams are awarded 2 match points for every game won and 1 match points for a game loss with 6pts or more. Points are accumulated throughout the season and determine your standings. See SCORING below for more details.
8) Zia Pickleball uses the LIVE PICKLEBALL Platform for registration, payment, match draws, entering scores, standings, and bracket communication.
SETTING UP MATCHES
1) Please check your profiles on LIVE PICKLEBALL to make sure your phone number, email and play time preferences are entered and correct. You can edit these if necessary.
2) Use the MY MATCHES tab to see all your matches. If your bracket plays each team more than once, you have the option to play both matches at once.
3) The HOME team is listed on each of your match boxes. The HOME team is responsible to schedule their matches with the AWAY team using the players play time preferences as a baseline.
4) There are various ways to schedule your matches:
-
Use the league website's email system under MY MATCHES. Click on the little pen icon.
-
Text messaging (usually get quicker responses).
-
We have found the Team Reach App to be a very effective and easy tool for setting up matches including setting up play days. However, someone from your bracket must take the lead and create a group code and invite bracket players (takes a couple minutes). This is a fantastic option if there's a self motivated leader in your bracket.
Install TeamReach on iPhone : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/teamreach-team-management/id1101253705
Install TeamReach on Android : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teamreach.app
5) Unresponsive players/teams: If a player/team does not respond to the HOME player's/team's match request via email/text/phone within 24 hours, please send a 2nd request. If again they do not respond in 24 hours, please contact the League Coordinator. The League Coordinator will then contact the player/team and if they do not respond in 24 hours, the HOME player/team can consider this match a WIN by default and enter all the game scores as 11-0.
6) If a match is cancelled for any reason other than weather, you must cancel 24 hours in advance. If not, the team that cancels the match, must forfeit.
7) If a player/team does not arrive for a confirmed match within 20 minutes of time and does not contact the opponents, the opposing team can consider the match a WIN by default and enter all the game scores at 11-0.
8) Plan 1 hour for each match.
PLAYING MATCHES
1) Each match always consists of THREE GAMES to 11 points, win by 2.
2) If you need a 'rule' to decide who serves first, allow the AWAY player/team to pick serve, side, or receive.
3) Switch starting server and sides after each game. Third game switch sides after first player/team reaches 6 points.
4) HOME player/team decides which ball they want to play with and brings the match ball.
5) Skinny Singles Format: Whether you are the server or receiver, you always start the point on the side of the court that matches your score of even (right side) or odd (left side). This means that sometimes you will be playing your opponent on the side of the court in front of you and other times on the diagonal of the court. For example, if the server has even points (i.e. 0,2,4,6 etc) and the receiver has even points, you will play on the diagonal, both players on the right side of their court. If both have odd points, both players on the left side of their court. If one is odd and one is even, you will play the point in the court in front of you and line up depending on your score of even or odd. The kitchen has no center line, so those are judgement calls. If you are ever unsure, the advantage goes to your opponent
6) The HOME player/team will be responsible to enter and save the scores under MY MATCHES after each match. See additional scoring details under Entering Scores below.
7) USA Pickleball Rules apply to all matches. Please know and understand the rules especially on line calls under
section 6. https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/official-rules/)
8) This league is intended to be fun and competitive while supporting superb sportsmanship. As league coordinator, I will not tolerate poor court behavior. Any complaints to me will be investigated and teams will be removed from the league for poor sportsmanship.
SCORING
1) Entering Scores - The HOME player/team is responsible to enter and save the scores under MY MATCHES after each match.
2) Players/teams are awarded 2 match points for each game won. If losing player/team scores 6 or more points in a game, they are awarded 1 match point. No match points are awarded for 5 points or less in a game. The website automatically calculates match points once you enter the scores.
3) Match Points are accumulated throughout the season and final standings are based on total match points. Standings can be viewed under the BRACKETS/STANDINGS tab.
4) End of Season Ties - Two team tiebreakers are determined by head-to-head games. Three team tiebreakers are determined by head-to-head games, then total head-to-head game points if needed.
NOTE: Match point scoring system makes for a very competitive season, usually 1-5 points between the top three places. Therefore, every game and points scored in a game contribute to your overall standings, in contrast to a normal round robin league that only takes into account match wins.
OTHER ITEMS
1) The LIVE PICKLEBALL website was designed specifically for our Zia Pickleball leagues. If you encounter any problems, please contact me immediately, so I can correct it and make improvements where necessary.
2) League cost goes toward expenses of running the league and cash prizes to at least the 1st place team in each bracket.
3) If a player is injured and cannot finish all of their matches, a team is allowed ONE replacement of a player at the same skill level for the remaining of the season. The NEW player must contact the league coordinator to get registered and sign waiver.
4) If a player drops out before any matches are played, they can be replaced with a player at the same skill level but no refund will be given. The NEW player must contact the league coordinator to get registered and sign waiver.
5) If a player/team drops out due to partner issues, there will be no replacement partners allowed and remaining matches will be forfeited.
6) Never hesitate to contact the league coordinator with any questions or suggestions.