Pickleball is built on Open Play.

1.  During Open Play (mixed skill-levels), players play with all skill levels. No complaints. Good sportsmanship is the rule. If you are a significantly stronger player, have limited time available to you, and if there is an “advanced court” option, go wait there for a stronger game.

2. In Open Play, when the players on the opposing team are unequal in skill, avoid always playing the weaker player just to score points. Also, play the stronger player equally or he/she may get bored and not want to play with your team in the future. Your game will improve by playing the better player. If you are the strongest player of the four, play to the weakest players in a way they can handle and learn from.

3.  When the courts are full, waiting players are to place their paddles in the paddle holder, which means they are waiting for a court to open. Please don’t wait around with your paddle in your hand expecting to jump on a court.

4.  If there are paddles in the paddle holder, players who just finished their game must exit the court so that the waiting players can come onto to your vacated court.

5.  If there is a paddle or more up in the paddle holder, even though there are empty courts, teams that just finished playing should allow the waiting player(s) to mix in.

6.  If you are crossing an active court to get onto a vacant court or to leave a court, wait until their current point is over. Ask them for permission to cross their court. Make sure you go on the courts when you have all 4 players together, then move to your court quickly.

7.  Please put your name on your paddle.

8.  Remember, during Open Play we are trying to allow the various level of players to mix in and hopefully get a better understanding of what it takes to move up in skill level. All players like to improve. The better, more experienced players should make themselves available to play with or against the less experienced players.