Pickleball Ladder Rules

A lot of time and effort has gone into building these Ladders, especially since it’s our very first, and we want it to be fun and fair for everyone. The rules are here to make that happen, so we ask all members to follow them. While it’s fine to have your own opinions, openly challenging the rules can disrupt what we’ve worked hard to create. Members who consistently disregard or openly challenge the rules may be asked to step away, but our hope is that everyone works together to make this first league a great experience for all.

Qualifying Players

  • Only active members of Pickleball Prose who participate in at least one session per month are eligible. Inactive members and non-members do not qualify.

Ladder Structure

  • Each player/pair is assigned a position (rank) on the ladder.
  • Higher positions represent stronger rankings.
  • New players enter at the bottom of the ladder.

Challenging

  • Players/Pairs may challenge up to 2 spots above you on the ladder.
  • Challenges must be accepted unless there is a valid reason (injury, travel, schedule conflict).
  • If the challenged Player/Pair have a valid reason then the challenge is abandoned and the challenger is free to challenge another Player/Pair
  • Players/Pairs should make every effort to play within 7 days of the challenge unless there is a valid reason (injury, travel, schedule conflict).
  • Challenging Player/Pair must organise the court time and location, the cost split evenly between all participants in the match.

Match Format

  • Best of 3 games to 11 points, win by 2.
  • Standard USA Pickleball rules apply.

Results & Movement

  • If the challenger(s) wins: the challenger(s) takes the higher player/pairs position, and the opponent(s) drops down one spot.
  • If the challenger loses: both players/pairs remain in their current positions.
  • All results must be reported to the ladder coordinator within 24 hours.

Challenge Frequency

  • Players/Pairs may issue one challenge per week.
  • Players/Pairs must accept at least one challenge every four weeks (unless unavailable for a valid reason).

Defaults & Forfeits

  • If a challenged player/pair does not respond within 72 hours, it counts as a forfeit, and the challenging player/pair may claim the spot.
    A player/pair who forfeits twice in a row without a valid reason may be dropped to the bottom of the ladder.

Inactivity

  • Players/Pairs inactive for more than 12 weeks may be removed from the ladder.
  • Players/Pairs may re-enter at the bottom upon returning.
  • Sportsmanship
  • Players/Pairs are expected to referee their own matches honestly.
  • Disputes should be handled respectfully. Persistent issues may be reviewed by the ladder coordinator.

Respecting Pickleball Prose Sessions

  • Our regular Pickleball Prose sessions on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday are the heart of our club. To keep these sessions protected, no Ladder or League fixtures are to be scheduled at the same time.
  • Captains, Players or Pairs who arrange Fixtures/Challenges that clash with these sessions will unfortunately be removed from the Ladder/League.

Equipment

  • All paddles must be USPA approved and marked as such
  • Balls to be used are Franklin X40 (A box of six balls will be placed behind the desk at the SSV)