YMCA PICKLEBALL OPEN PLAY RULES AND ETIQUETTE
Pickleball is a paddle sport created over 50 years ago by three dads trying to keep their kids occupied during the dog days of summer. Today Pickleball is played by more than 2.5 million people in the United States according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, said to be the fastest growing sport in America.
Pickleball, was created for all skill levels, combining the elements of tennis, ping pong and badminton. The rules are simple, the game is easy to learn, it’s tons of fun and a decent workout.
The YMCA of Vincennes offers 4 indoor courts for Open Play during scheduled hours. Note: Gym #2 is generally reserved for open pickleball play. Players can use Gym #1 if space is available. No reservations required during open play, but there may be members in the gyms because the area is not CLOSED off to members.
Monday – Friday 9:00 am to 11:30 am, 6:00 pm to 8:45 pm. Saturdays from 8:00 am to Noon.
Covid-19 Guidelines for Pickleball Play
- Masks and or face coverings must be worn upon entrance to the building and in the hallways, locker rooms and bathrooms. (Putting a shirt over your face does not count!)
- In the gymnasiums, members are asked to social distance from each other while waiting for games. Mask wearing is encouraged but not necessary if there is room to social distance while waiting for your turn.
- Disinfecting supplies will be available to clean balls and equipment.
- If you are feeling ill, please stay home.
The following rules and etiquette are as follows: Open Play Pickleball at the YMCA of Vincennes is for all pickleball levels 3.0 to 4.5. During open play, all skill levels play with each other. There is no “King’s Court” or “Winners Stay to Play” during open pickleball. Once a game is finished, those 4 players come off the court and the next 4 players play so everyone has a chance to play with everyone. Lower level players don’t necessarily like playing with advanced players as they get beat up. Advanced players don’t like playing with lower level players because they don’t get challenging play. Both points of view are valid. Unfortunately, at some point the advanced players often simply refuse to play with “lesser” players. During “OPEN PLAY”, this behavior is discouraged and considered bad etiquette and will be monitored. Why? Because we are a Y of many skill levels. Refusing to play at all with “lesser” skilled players slows learning. As you know, one of the best ways for people to learn is to play with better players. (Remember when you started out?) Yes, advanced players have the right to expect competitive games during same-skill-level periods but do not have the right to refuse to play when there are open play, mixed skill-level periods. (We recommend you Reserve a Court if you do not want mixed level play.)
- Good sportsmanship is the rule. Respect ALL players.
- Begin each game by acknowledging the other players, and introducing yourself if you don’t know them. If you do know them, use whatever is appropriate to let them know that you know they are there and are saying “hey.”
- If the ball is “out,” and it’s on your side, call it out. If it’s close, give the benefit of the doubt to your opponent. This is hard to do when the game is close but do it anyway
- If you step into the kitchen on a volley, or if your partner does, call it. Be very cautious about calling kitchen or serving faults on others.
- Sometimes spectators comment on the plays. While this is normal and fun, ask them not to if their comments are loud, disruptive, argumentative, hostile or combative.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Patrick Herman, CEO.