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GOVERNING RULES FOR PLANTATION PICKLEBALL MEMBERS

The purpose of these rules is to provide our membership with a uniform set of definitions and to promote enjoyable play for everyone with an established code of conduct. All players will abide by the U.S.A.P.A. Rules; Plantation Pickleball Rules of Play; Plantation Pickleball League Rules and these Governing Rules. (click for full version)

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PLANTATION PICKLEBALL LEAGUE RULES

To promote consistency among all leagues, all managers and players will abide by the Governing Rules for Plantation Pickleball Members, U.S.A.P.A. Rules, Plantation Pickleball Rules of Play, and the following League rules: (click for full version)

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PLANTATION PICKLEBALL RULES OF PLAY

Pickleball Rules: The Official rules as outlined by the United State Amateur Pickleball Association, Inc. WA. Click here for the complete version of the USAPA official rules.

Additional Plantation Rules:

• A court side change can be requested by any team member when one of the teams reaches 6 points. However, this request is only good until the next serve takes place.

USAPA Rule Highlights:

• Equipment:
  Only official Pickleball, Inc, or USA Pickleball Association, Inc equipment (paddles and balls) can be used.
• Serve:
  • Must be underhand and struck below the waist with both feet behind the baseline.
  • The server's feet must be within the confines of the serving court.
  • The serve must clear the net and the non-volley line and land in the opponents service court.
  • If the ball lands on any other line in the opponents service court except the non-volley line it is considered in.
  • The server's partner does not have to remain behind the service line.
• Dead Ball :
  A ball is not declared dead until it has bounced twice or has violated one of the fault rules.
• Faults:
  • Service fault
  • The ball lands out of bounds
  • The ball strikes the fencing on the fly
  • The ball strikes the net but doesn't go over the net
  • The ball bounces twice before being struck
  • If inside or outside the court a ball on the fly touches a player or a player's clothing. The exception to this rule is if the ball strikes the player's paddle hand
  • If the net or net supports are touched by any part of either the player or the paddle during play
  • If in the act of volleying the ball a player that strikes the ball enters the non-volley zone, touches the non-volley line or their momentum carries them into the non-volley zone before the ball is declared dead
• Exceptions:
  A player may move into the non-volley zone before the ball bounces, but the player must let it bounce before returning it.
• Line Calling:

  • Players will call lines on their side of the court
  • No player should question another player's call unless asked
  • If the line calling partners disagree on a call the ball is considered in

Revised: 3-5-07 By: Irv Giguere

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Court Management

SERVING

• Observe where receiver is standing
  • If receiver favors the extreme left or right side of service box. Serve to the large gap he has created.
  • If they are standing well behind the service line occasionally serve a short serve to get him closer to the end line. This will make your deep service more effective.
  • If they stand inside the service line serve a deep shot at his feet or to their backhand is very effective.
• Observe the opponents tendencies on returning a service
  • Serve to their backhand to observe if they run around to hit a forehand on their return. If they do continue to serve to his backhand. Tell your partner that the return shot should be in the gap that has been created.
  • Test to see if the opponent has a weak backhand. If they do serve to their weakness.
  • Serve at their feet to see if they can handle this shot. This may be a weakness you can prey on.
  • Observe the opponent on a tendency to stay back after striking the ball. This make the opponent susceptible to short dinks shots during play.
  • Observe the opponents tendencies when rushing the net. If they have a tendency to protect the center. Then the line shot is very effective. If they protect the sideline then use the center shot.
• Service shots to avoid
  • Don't serve to the opponents strong side. If they are strong on both the forehand or backhand side. Then serve it at their feet only.
  • Don't serve a short shot if the opponent is fast enough to get to the ball. They will make you pay big time for it.
• Tendencies to avoid
  • Don't serve at the same pace each time. Mix up the pace so that the opponents are kept off balance. This is a good method for disrupting their timing.

RECEIVING

• Observe where the opponent is serving from
  • If server favors the extreme left or right side of service box. Return to the large gap that has been created.
  • If there is any large gap that you observe return the ball to this gap. You may create another gap if the ball is returned.
• Service pace adjustments
  • If a server has a tendency to serve short shot. Cheat a lit bit and play inside the service line.
  • if you can't handle a hard server move back and squat a little bit, this allows you to pick up a skidding ball and you will actually see the serve better.
  • Make sure your paddle is in the neutral position and your body is well balanced during the serve. This optimizes your response time to striking of the ball.
• Return shots
  • A long dink is a very effective return, a shot that lands in or near the non-volley zone.
  • Returning down the center may create a gap or a weak return shot. In either case take advantage of the situation.
  • Rush the net as soon as the situation allows. If you can get to the net on the return shot you will have an advantage of both being at the net with the opponents being back. You can achieve this by returning a small arc shot which allows you more time to get to the net.
  • The return shot doesn't have to be a bullet if you control where you put the ball on the return. A controlled shot is a higher percentage shot to take.
  • If you have to hit the ball on the run take some pace off the ball. Otherwise, the shot will go long because of your momentum.

DISCIPLINE ON COURT

• Holding your ground at the net unless a lob shot over your head occurs
  • Backing away from the net in response to a hard shot is not a good idea. If you hold your ground you can protect yourself and have a better chance of returning the ball. It is very difficult to return a ball if you are backing up.
  • Striking the ball on your partners side
    • The only time you should strike the ball in your partners court is when your partner has no chance of getting to the ball or you can put the ball away. Trust your partner. If you don't put the ball away you have created a big gap in the court you have vacated.
• Don't rush your shot if you have plenty of time to set up for the shot
  • Taking your time on your shot open up a wide variety of shots you can make (dink, misdirection, control shot or a hard shot). This makes the opponents guess at what shot you are about to take.
• Watching the ball at all times
  • This allows you to help your partners on hard line calls.
  • Allows you to respond to the flight of the ball more quickly.
  • Results in striking the ball more accurately.
• Being prepared for dinking volley at the net
  • During a dinking volley keep the ball low and continue the dink unless someone gets the ball to high. Move the ball to different areas in the non-volley zone hoping for a gap or a mistake. You can break up this type of volley by lobbing the ball over one of your opponents head.
• Being prepared for a hard volley at the net
  • Take short strokes & push shots.
  • Try hitting the ball at the opponent mid section or their feet.
  • Keep the ball low at all times.
• Avoid hitting balls that are going out on the fly
  • This is the hardest thing to do. However, if we could avoid swinging at these balls you can win some easy points.

VARIETY OF SHOTS TO PRACTICE

• The Backhand Shot
  • To become a good player you must develop a strong backhand shot. Without this shot you have a weakness that a good player will use against you.
• The Lob shot
  • A very powerful shot for opening gaps when opponents are at the net. The Lob is a simple lift shot with very little pace on it. Make sure you get this shot high enough to get over the opponents head.
• The Dink shot
  • The dink shot is used when a opponent is playing deep and very susceptible to a short shot. Even if the player is able to reach this shot they have create a gap that you can hit for a winner.
• The Crosscourt shot
  • This is a low percentage shot that requires good control of the paddle. The more pace you put on the ball the least likely you would put the ball in play. This shot is most effective if it is placed close to the opponents net with very little pace. A Dink from one side of the court to the other side of the court near the net will usually be a winner.
• The Misdirection shot
  • This shot surprises the opposition and if placed at the opponents body or at their backhand will win many points for you. It is an easy shot to learn but requires a stiff arm and a sudden outward swing. The surprise is that it starts off as a normal swing but during the swing you hit the ball at an outward angle.
• The Down the Line shot
  • This shot is not a difficult shot and can be very effective. This shot can be hit with either the forehand or backhand and requires preparation for the shot. This shot simply is a straight shot down the sideline. It is a high percentage shot since it is a straight shot. This shot can be very successful with different amount of pace on it since it is a control shot.
• The Overhead shot
  • This shot must be hit the hardest to be effective. It requires timing and discipline. This shot can be a high percentage shot if taken near the net. This shot take a lot of practice and requires good timing. Here is the criteria for the shot:
    • getting into position for the shot and deciding where you want to hit the ball. Angle your body to the target position.
    • bring the paddle back and cock your body like you're a snake ready to strike. Don't get impatient wait for the ball to get into the striking position before starting the swing.
    • time the swing that is a continuous motion and strike the ball at approximately the 11 o'clock position.
    • the swing continues and the paddle stops at approximately the 10 o'clock position. If you go past this position you may hit the ball into the net since the ball stay in contact with the paddle for a short period of time.
• The Control shot
  • The most productive shot of them all. Simply stated put the ball where the opponents aren't. Used to create gaps in the defense. This shot doesn't require a lot of pace just accuracy.
• The Snap Shot
  • There are times when taking a full swing is not possible. When this occurs snap your wrist or push the ball when striking the ball. This allows you to be ready for a quick return shot.
  • When the ball gets behind you can recover by snapping your wrist and hitting the ball.
• The Scoop Shot
  • This is simply a defensive shot for a ball that has landed at your feet. You simply scoop up the ball in an upward motion to return the ball.

Submitted by Irv Giguere

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