Ladder Management Rules
CURRENT and NEW PLAYERS should familiarize themselves with these Rules on a periodic basis as updates will take place.
These rules are established to maintain consistency of play and record keeping within and between ladders (A, B, C and Novice ).
The format of play is designed so that players play mostly with others of similar skill levels. Your ranking on a ladder is based upon your winning percentage (the ratio of points won to total points possible). The ladder is a competition, not a training forum.
Players will move up or down the ladder based upon their winning percentage. The results of the ten most recent weeks of play will be used for this calculation. Each week, players will be placed in groups of 4 in the order of their ranking on the ladder for match play. BYEs will be taken into account in setting up the matches.
You are expected to play every week unless you email the Captain that you will be absent. All players will play three 15-point doubles games in a round robin fashion with the other three players of the foursome.
At the start of the game players will decide who starts serving first and choice of side. It is recommended that the players change ends of the court when one side has 8 points to minimize the effects of the sun and wind.
Missed games are not made up. The percentages are based only on the games that are actually played.
After your games have been played, players record their scores on the score sheet that is available in the area. Post the individual scores and the total for all three games. There is a maximum of 45 points because you do not have to win by 2 points. Each week the standings and schedule are posted on the ladder page of the website.
All communication with ladder captains is by email to ?league@grandpickleball.org, where "?" is the ladder letter (ie: cleague@grandpickleball.org for the C Ladder). If a player does not have email, he/she must have an email "buddy".
1. You must be a Grand Pickleball Club member in good standing.
2. Read the Ladder Rules for Players and Captains on the web site.
3. Determine your skill level as described below.
4. Contact the Ladder Manager or the Ladder Captain and provide your skill assessment information.
First, read the following chapter on Skill Definitions and/or the more detailed definitions on the club's web site. http://grandpickleball.org/skill_levels.html
Then:
1. Watch competitive play in the ladder you think you should be on.
2. Play a few matches with “like” ability players in the club and remember the names of at least two of these players. --OR-- Contact one of the following skill assessors who will watch you play during drop-in with 'like'ability players: For A or B Ladder: Walt Grimes, Dave Sikes. For B or C Ladder: Dan Shepardson, Kathy Lawless, Jeanne Harteau. For any ladder: Pauline Avery, Claude Eatherly.
This is a breif outline of the skill definitions. For the detailed definitions click on the Skill Definitions link on the web site, or go to http://grandpickleball.org/skill_levels.html
A Player: This player is able to control and place both the serve and return of serve. This player is able to place their volleys and block strong volleys at them at the No Volley Zone, or “Kitchen”. This player has strong overheads and can place them. This player has excellent footwork and can move forward, backward and laterally with ease and quickness. This player can both “dink” and put away their shots. This player is consistent in their play and fully understands the strategy of the game and when to use specific shots.
B Player: This player knows the rules of Pickleball, match strategy and tactics. B players possess all shots; such as fore and backhand, lob, overhead smash and dink, and hit them with a high level of consistency.
C Player: This player knows most of the rules and how to keep score after losing track. This player will move to the net behind the return of serve. This player will not fault on more than 1/4 of their serves, or fail to return more than half of backhands or overheads. The C Player has not yet developed skill or consistency in the overhead smash or the drop shots from well behind the No Volley Zone, or “Kitchen”. This player can maintain a “dink” exchange at the net.
N Player (Novice): This player knows how to keep score and where to stand at the beginning of each point. This player is learning where to be on the court during a point. All of their strokes are works in progress. This player should move to the net behind return of serve, and should place emphasis on keeping the ball in play.
Beginner or Newby: This player has had a lesson and is learning how to keep score and where to stand at the beginning of each point. Whether they have a racquet sports background or not, they are at the beginning stages of learning the game of pickleball. Before joining the ladder, these players must get some experience playing pickleball until they know the basic rules of pickleball, how to score and where to stand at the beginning of each point. The Novice ladder is not a training forum.
The Players Schedule and time will be published on the Ladder link of the website 48 hrs before the ladder play and emailed to all players. Players without email capability will need to setup an “email buddy”. The schedule may also be posted on the Club’s bulletin board at the discretion of the Ladder Captain. Phone calls to communicate ladder position; court assignment, etc. will not be made.
Ladders play as follows: A: Monday B: Tuesday C: Wednesday N: Thursday
Note: Scheduled play times will vary with the weather. Watch for updates on the web site.
Only the ACTIVE players’ list will be published on the Ladder page of the website under “Standings”.
Ladder Captains may place any player who cannot play for more than two weeks on an INACTIVE list which is seen only by the Captain. A player on INACTIVE status will remain there until their Ladder Captain receives an email from the player thereby reactivating their status.
The SCHEDULE is displayed each week showing only those players who are available to play that week or are assigned a bye/sub.
Can’t Play - BEFORE Schedule is Published
If a player is unable to play on the specified day, he/she should EMAIL their Ladder Captain no later than 3 days prior to the ladder play day. The groupings will then be made without that player. The player’s most recent score will stand until the player resumes play. There is no penalty for being absent as long as the player has emailed the Captain before the published deadline. Notification Deadlines are the end of the day as follows: A: Friday, B: Saturday, C: Sunday, N: Monday.
Failure to EMAIL your absence notice may result in your being a No Show, because a substitute Captain would not have access to the Captain's phone answering machine.
Can’t Play - AFTER Schedule is Published
After the players schedule is published (within 48 hrs of play) and prior to the actual match:
If a player is unable to play, he/she should do ONE of the following:
1: Call a SUB from the published Schedule.
2: Call the other 3 players in your foursome to reschedule your ladder match at a more convenient time, but BEFORE the Schedule for the following week is published. Report the scores to the Captain before the next week's Schedule is published.
3: Call the other 3 players in your foursome to have them agree to take an absence for that week.
If however, the other players want to have the match (not reschedule or take absence status) and no published SUB is available then the player who is unable to attend is allowed to find an INACTIVE or “off ladder” SUB to participate in the match with the approval of the other players and the Ladder Captain. This sub must be of similar skill-level.
ALWAYS NOTIFY your Ladder Captain of what you are doing.
Player Missing at Match Time
If there is a player or players missing at match time, and the other players have not been notified or agree to a delay in the start of the match, then those players that are late (anytime after the published starting time) will be subject to the No Show rule (see No Show chapter). The other players will not receive a score for that match unless a Sub is available. The No Show rule applies to Bye/Subs also.
If no Sub is available the other players may find a representative replacement which they all agree to so that the match will continue. The replacement will not receive a score; however, all other scores will count. We do not want to penalize or prevent those players who have shown up from playing. A “representative” replacement player is one with the SAME skill level. In other words, an A player cannot sub for a B, C or Novice match. Likewise, a B player cannot sub for an A, C or Novice match. Ladder Captains should NOT fill in unless they are within the same skill level and all players agree.
ALWAYS NOTIFY your Ladder Captain of what you are doing.
When a new player is added to a ladder, he/she will develop a playing percentage as matches are played. Over time, the results of the ten most recent matches will be used to calculate the player's percentage.
The Ladder program tracks players’ rankings to eliminate major “bouncing” up and down the ladder. For instance, if you are a new player and your first score is 45, your percentage would be 100. Logically, your next match would be on court 1 against the top players, which may not be in everyone’s best interest. So the program has a built-in ONE-FOURTH rule, which RESTRICTS a player’s movement to no more than one-fourth of the ladder regardless of their percentage. Hence, one week you could have 85% and be ranked below a player who has 75% because you moved up only 1/4 of the ladder positions from where you were.
The reverse holds true going down the ladder should you have a very bad day. The ONE-FOURTH rule overrides your percentage. Hence, you could have 75% and still be ranked higher than someone with 80% because you moved down only 1/4 of the ladder positions from where you were.
An "R" for "Restricted Position" appears next to the percentage on the Standings page.
Player movement between ladders is based entirely on the player’s percentage history. No arbitrary assessments will be made.
A player will automatically move up to the next higher ladder if they have an UNRESTRICTED Standings percentage of 84 or more for the last 3 out of 4 weeks played (See previous chapter on Percentage Establishment). Likewise, a player will move down to the next lower ladder if they have an unrestricted Standings percentage below 65 for the last 3 out of 4 weeks played. In either case, the accumulated scores will NOT be carried from one ladder to the other, but the earned byes will. (Note: "Unrestricted" refers to the 1/4 restricted movement explained in the previous chapter. Hence, if a highly-skilled player begins at the bottom of the ladder and earns percentages above 84 consistently, it follows that the minimum number of matches for that player to move up to the next ladder would be 7. That's 4 restricted plus the minimum of 3 unrestricted) The "R" which notes the restricted movement in the Standings appears next to the percentage.
A player moving UP to a higher ladder will be placed in the appropriate position of that ladder, as decided by the Ladder Captains, to establish their playing percentage.
A player moving DOWN to a lower ladder will be placed at the top of that ladder until they have played a match, after which they will move up or down the ladder according to their playing percentage.
Ladder Captains will notify players of their movement between ladders before the next week’s play. This movement is NOT a choice by the player.
Players may enter or leave a ladder at any time or miss a week or more because of their personal schedules. The ONLY requirement is to email their Ladder Captain BEFORE the match schedule is made out for the upcoming week. Please provide a reason for your movement to Inactive status.
If a player cannot play for a period of more than 2 weeks the Captain may place you in an Inactive status until you email the Ladder Captain that you can play again. The Captain will inform the player of this status. The player’s percentage stays the same while on the Inactive List. The Inactive List does not display on the web site. Note: When a player is returning to Active status, the position is based on percentage, not the player's position before the move to Inactive.
Players who have been on the Inactive List will re-enter the ladder at the ranking at which they left the ladder. If, due to injury or whatever, the player doesn't feel he/she is able to play at that skill level, then it is suggested that the player practice during drop-in or other times until their skill level is close to what it was when they went inactive. Once the player is on the active ladder again, the scores will - over a period of a few weeks - establish the player's proper ranking.
Players on the Inactive List for no apparent reason for 6 months or more may be dropped from the ladder roster.
BYEs are assigned if the Ladder Captain is unable to fill out a foursome. BYEs are normally assigned from the bottom of the ladder ranking up, skipping any player who has already had a BYE. Assignment of BYES is at the discretion of the Captain. In later weeks when everyone has had a BYE, we will start over again. BYEs are carried with any movement between ladders. After being assigned a BYE you will automatically become a SUB for that week’s match play. BYEs must show up at match time. Failure to show up results in a “NO SHOW”. The Captain may ask a BYE to stay through the match in case you are needed. If a BYE/SUB has a last minute excused absence, he/she will not earn a Bye.
If you are assigned a Bye, you are expected to be a SUB for that week. Even if you aren’t called to sub, you must show up at match time. There is a strong likelihood that you will be able to fill in as a SUB. A Sub's failure to show up results in a "NO SHOW". Please notify your Ladder Captain if you are called to sub. When a Sub's score counts (see below), the SUB will not earn a BYE. Players above or below your ability within the same ladder may call you to SUB. Captains may also call on Inactive players to SUB.
SUB scores count if the SUB is one of the players listed on the schedule as a BYE/SUB – and the sub played all 3 games. A SUB’s score would not count if the SUB played a partial match (ie: fills in for an injured player). A SUB’s score would not count when the SUB player played his/her match PLUS agreed to SUB in another match; or if the SUB was from the Inactive list or off the ladder.
Scoring for interrupted matches due to weather or injury will be handled as follows:
1. If the match is terminated before the start of the third game, everyone will get an absence for the match.
2. If the match is terminated sometime during the third game, points for the third game will be assumed to be in the same ratio of the score up to that point. For example, if the score was 9 to 7 at termination, the winning team would get 15 and the losing team would get 7/9 of 15 =12 (rounded to the nearest point).
3. If an injury occurs in the first or second game, the injured player would not get a score for that match. A SUB would be called in. The SUB’s score would not count but the scores of the other 3 players would count.
4. If an injury occurs in the third game, the injured player’s score would be calculated as in #2 above, and a SUB would be called in so that the remaining 3 players can complete the match. The SUB’s score would not count but the scores of the other 3 players would count. If no SUB is available, all 4 players would calculate their scores as in #2 above.
If you are a “No Show” (leaving three players without a match), and you have failed to notify your Ladder Captain, you will be suspended from ladder play for 4 weeks. If you’re a “No Show” a second time within a calendar year you will be suspended from ladder play for a period of 8 weeks. A 3rd “No Show” suspends you from ladder play for the calendar year or a period of 12 months. The only exception to this rule will be if you makeup this match prior to the next week’s players Schedule being published on the Ladder page of the club’s website. You must notify your Ladder Captain of the makeup match date and the resulting scores.
NOTE: BYE/SUBs are subject to No Show Rule also.
These rules can always be changed. A written proposal should be submitted to the Ladder Manager. He/she will review and discuss your suggestions with you. The Ladder Manager will review your proposal with the Ladder Committee and then make a final decision. You will be informed of that decision with an explanation should it be necessary.
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Prepared: January 29, 2004
Last update: See list of updates
2/2/04 - Added start date clarification for movement between ladders. Also clarified review period to agree with Boards decision (4 out of 5 weeks ).
3/1/04 - No longer show Inactive players on the club’s website. Modified the one-third percentage establishment rule with the addition of a new program developed by Bill Booth to record & communicate players’ scores, ranking, etc. See notes under Percentage Establishment. This new program should be introduced during March 2004.
Modification to No Shows - You can makeup a match prior to the players schedule being published for next week. You must notify your ladder captain of the scores.
3/9/04 - Added clarification to Can’t Play after Schedule is Published section. Specific wording added to actions to be taken at match time with no shows. Changed 1/3 and 1/2 rules to just the 1/3 rule with the new program. Also, updated the match injury section from rationing the scores after the midpoint of the third game to anytime after the start of the third game.
3/24/04 - Injury returns to competitive ladder play.
5/21/04 - Deleted PICL; Added changes to Novice Ladder; Changed definition re: Player movement UP and DOWN between ladders.
10-3-04 - Clarified who can and cannot be a SUB.
10-23-04 - Deleted references to PICL
12-27-04 - Added emphasis on emailing absence notices rather than calling. Changed rules of movement between N and C ladders. Removed reference to N ladder being a Player Development Center. Added Bye/Sub subject to No Show rule.
2-15-05 - Clarified ladder movement downward, and the Sub's responsibility to show up for the match.
3-11-05 - Removed the paragraph about Injury Returns to Ladder Play
5-16-05 – Changed determination of players’ movement between ladders from rankings-based to percentage-based. See “Player Movement Between Ladders”. Updated the list of Skill Assessors. Deleted reference to Xs.
6-7-05 – Clarified scoring procedures if a SUB fills in after the match has begun. See chapters on SUBs, SUB Scores, and Interruption of a Match.
8-5-05 - General editing throughout. No policy changes or additions.
10-1-05 - Revised BYE assignment to be at the discretion of the Captain. Clarified positioning of player moving from Inactive to Active status to be based on percentage.
01-01-06 - Changed percentage requirement for movement between ladders to 84% up and 65% down, 3 out of 4 times. See "Player Movement Between Ladders".
05-09-06 - Added paragraph to Inactive chapter, regarding returning to Active at same ranking after a long absence.
05-15-06 - Changed the restriction rule from one-third to one-fourth the ladder up or down. See "Percentage Establishment".
05-20-06 - Added paragraph on how to join the ladder. Removed chapter regarding skill assessors. Changed wording to indicate that new players are to assess themselves using the tools provided on the web site. Clarified that the Novice ladder is not a training forum, that beginners are to learn the basic skills and rules of pickleball before joining the ladder program.
05-30-06 - Reinstated skill assessors.
Purpose of Ladder Rules
These rules are established to maintain consistency of play and record keeping within and between ladders (A, B, C and Novice ).
General Information
The format of play is designed so that players play mostly with others of similar skill levels. Your ranking on a ladder is based upon your winning percentage (the ratio of points won to total points possible). The ladder is a competition, not a training forum.
Players will move up or down the ladder based upon their winning percentage. The results of the ten most recent weeks of play will be used for this calculation. Each week, players will be placed in groups of 4 in the order of their ranking on the ladder for match play. BYEs will be taken into account in setting up the matches.
You are expected to play every week unless you email the Captain that you will be absent. All players will play three 15-point doubles games in a round robin fashion with the other three players of the foursome.
At the start of the game players will decide who starts serving first and choice of side. It is recommended that the players change ends of the court when one side has 8 points to minimize the effects of the sun and wind.
Missed games are not made up. The percentages are based only on the games that are actually played.
After your games have been played, players record their scores on the score sheet that is available in the area. Post the individual scores and the total for all three games. There is a maximum of 45 points because you do not have to win by 2 points. Each week the standings and schedule are posted on the ladder page of the website.
All communication with ladder captains is by email to ?league@grandpickleball.org, where "?" is the ladder letter (ie: cleague@grandpickleball.org for the C Ladder). If a player does not have email, he/she must have an email "buddy".
To Join the Pickleball Ladder Program
1. You must be a Grand Pickleball Club member in good standing.
2. Read the Ladder Rules for Players and Captains on the web site.
3. Determine your skill level as described below.
4. Contact the Ladder Manager or the Ladder Captain and provide your skill assessment information.
Determining your Skill Level (if higher than Novice)
First, read the following chapter on Skill Definitions and/or the more detailed definitions on the club's web site. http://grandpickleball.org/skill_levels.html
Then:
1. Watch competitive play in the ladder you think you should be on.
2. Play a few matches with “like” ability players in the club and remember the names of at least two of these players. --OR-- Contact one of the following skill assessors who will watch you play during drop-in with 'like'ability players: For A or B Ladder: Walt Grimes, Dave Sikes. For B or C Ladder: Dan Shepardson, Kathy Lawless, Jeanne Harteau. For any ladder: Pauline Avery, Claude Eatherly.
Skill Definitions
This is a breif outline of the skill definitions. For the detailed definitions click on the Skill Definitions link on the web site, or go to http://grandpickleball.org/skill_levels.html
A Player: This player is able to control and place both the serve and return of serve. This player is able to place their volleys and block strong volleys at them at the No Volley Zone, or “Kitchen”. This player has strong overheads and can place them. This player has excellent footwork and can move forward, backward and laterally with ease and quickness. This player can both “dink” and put away their shots. This player is consistent in their play and fully understands the strategy of the game and when to use specific shots.
B Player: This player knows the rules of Pickleball, match strategy and tactics. B players possess all shots; such as fore and backhand, lob, overhead smash and dink, and hit them with a high level of consistency.
C Player: This player knows most of the rules and how to keep score after losing track. This player will move to the net behind the return of serve. This player will not fault on more than 1/4 of their serves, or fail to return more than half of backhands or overheads. The C Player has not yet developed skill or consistency in the overhead smash or the drop shots from well behind the No Volley Zone, or “Kitchen”. This player can maintain a “dink” exchange at the net.
N Player (Novice): This player knows how to keep score and where to stand at the beginning of each point. This player is learning where to be on the court during a point. All of their strokes are works in progress. This player should move to the net behind return of serve, and should place emphasis on keeping the ball in play.
Beginner or Newby: This player has had a lesson and is learning how to keep score and where to stand at the beginning of each point. Whether they have a racquet sports background or not, they are at the beginning stages of learning the game of pickleball. Before joining the ladder, these players must get some experience playing pickleball until they know the basic rules of pickleball, how to score and where to stand at the beginning of each point. The Novice ladder is not a training forum.
Publishing the Players Schedule
The Players Schedule and time will be published on the Ladder link of the website 48 hrs before the ladder play and emailed to all players. Players without email capability will need to setup an “email buddy”. The schedule may also be posted on the Club’s bulletin board at the discretion of the Ladder Captain. Phone calls to communicate ladder position; court assignment, etc. will not be made.
Ladders play as follows: A: Monday B: Tuesday C: Wednesday N: Thursday
Note: Scheduled play times will vary with the weather. Watch for updates on the web site.
Ladder Displays
Only the ACTIVE players’ list will be published on the Ladder page of the website under “Standings”.
Ladder Captains may place any player who cannot play for more than two weeks on an INACTIVE list which is seen only by the Captain. A player on INACTIVE status will remain there until their Ladder Captain receives an email from the player thereby reactivating their status.
The SCHEDULE is displayed each week showing only those players who are available to play that week or are assigned a bye/sub.
Absences
Can’t Play - BEFORE Schedule is Published
If a player is unable to play on the specified day, he/she should EMAIL their Ladder Captain no later than 3 days prior to the ladder play day. The groupings will then be made without that player. The player’s most recent score will stand until the player resumes play. There is no penalty for being absent as long as the player has emailed the Captain before the published deadline. Notification Deadlines are the end of the day as follows: A: Friday, B: Saturday, C: Sunday, N: Monday.
Failure to EMAIL your absence notice may result in your being a No Show, because a substitute Captain would not have access to the Captain's phone answering machine.
Can’t Play - AFTER Schedule is Published
After the players schedule is published (within 48 hrs of play) and prior to the actual match:
If a player is unable to play, he/she should do ONE of the following:
1: Call a SUB from the published Schedule.
2: Call the other 3 players in your foursome to reschedule your ladder match at a more convenient time, but BEFORE the Schedule for the following week is published. Report the scores to the Captain before the next week's Schedule is published.
3: Call the other 3 players in your foursome to have them agree to take an absence for that week.
If however, the other players want to have the match (not reschedule or take absence status) and no published SUB is available then the player who is unable to attend is allowed to find an INACTIVE or “off ladder” SUB to participate in the match with the approval of the other players and the Ladder Captain. This sub must be of similar skill-level.
ALWAYS NOTIFY your Ladder Captain of what you are doing.
Player Missing at Match Time
If there is a player or players missing at match time, and the other players have not been notified or agree to a delay in the start of the match, then those players that are late (anytime after the published starting time) will be subject to the No Show rule (see No Show chapter). The other players will not receive a score for that match unless a Sub is available. The No Show rule applies to Bye/Subs also.
If no Sub is available the other players may find a representative replacement which they all agree to so that the match will continue. The replacement will not receive a score; however, all other scores will count. We do not want to penalize or prevent those players who have shown up from playing. A “representative” replacement player is one with the SAME skill level. In other words, an A player cannot sub for a B, C or Novice match. Likewise, a B player cannot sub for an A, C or Novice match. Ladder Captains should NOT fill in unless they are within the same skill level and all players agree.
ALWAYS NOTIFY your Ladder Captain of what you are doing.
Percentage Establishment
When a new player is added to a ladder, he/she will develop a playing percentage as matches are played. Over time, the results of the ten most recent matches will be used to calculate the player's percentage.
The Ladder program tracks players’ rankings to eliminate major “bouncing” up and down the ladder. For instance, if you are a new player and your first score is 45, your percentage would be 100. Logically, your next match would be on court 1 against the top players, which may not be in everyone’s best interest. So the program has a built-in ONE-FOURTH rule, which RESTRICTS a player’s movement to no more than one-fourth of the ladder regardless of their percentage. Hence, one week you could have 85% and be ranked below a player who has 75% because you moved up only 1/4 of the ladder positions from where you were.
The reverse holds true going down the ladder should you have a very bad day. The ONE-FOURTH rule overrides your percentage. Hence, you could have 75% and still be ranked higher than someone with 80% because you moved down only 1/4 of the ladder positions from where you were.
An "R" for "Restricted Position" appears next to the percentage on the Standings page.
Player Movement between Ladders
Player movement between ladders is based entirely on the player’s percentage history. No arbitrary assessments will be made.
A player will automatically move up to the next higher ladder if they have an UNRESTRICTED Standings percentage of 84 or more for the last 3 out of 4 weeks played (See previous chapter on Percentage Establishment). Likewise, a player will move down to the next lower ladder if they have an unrestricted Standings percentage below 65 for the last 3 out of 4 weeks played. In either case, the accumulated scores will NOT be carried from one ladder to the other, but the earned byes will. (Note: "Unrestricted" refers to the 1/4 restricted movement explained in the previous chapter. Hence, if a highly-skilled player begins at the bottom of the ladder and earns percentages above 84 consistently, it follows that the minimum number of matches for that player to move up to the next ladder would be 7. That's 4 restricted plus the minimum of 3 unrestricted) The "R" which notes the restricted movement in the Standings appears next to the percentage.
A player moving UP to a higher ladder will be placed in the appropriate position of that ladder, as decided by the Ladder Captains, to establish their playing percentage.
A player moving DOWN to a lower ladder will be placed at the top of that ladder until they have played a match, after which they will move up or down the ladder according to their playing percentage.
Ladder Captains will notify players of their movement between ladders before the next week’s play. This movement is NOT a choice by the player.
Inactive Players
Players may enter or leave a ladder at any time or miss a week or more because of their personal schedules. The ONLY requirement is to email their Ladder Captain BEFORE the match schedule is made out for the upcoming week. Please provide a reason for your movement to Inactive status.
If a player cannot play for a period of more than 2 weeks the Captain may place you in an Inactive status until you email the Ladder Captain that you can play again. The Captain will inform the player of this status. The player’s percentage stays the same while on the Inactive List. The Inactive List does not display on the web site. Note: When a player is returning to Active status, the position is based on percentage, not the player's position before the move to Inactive.
Players who have been on the Inactive List will re-enter the ladder at the ranking at which they left the ladder. If, due to injury or whatever, the player doesn't feel he/she is able to play at that skill level, then it is suggested that the player practice during drop-in or other times until their skill level is close to what it was when they went inactive. Once the player is on the active ladder again, the scores will - over a period of a few weeks - establish the player's proper ranking.
Players on the Inactive List for no apparent reason for 6 months or more may be dropped from the ladder roster.
BYEs
BYEs are assigned if the Ladder Captain is unable to fill out a foursome. BYEs are normally assigned from the bottom of the ladder ranking up, skipping any player who has already had a BYE. Assignment of BYES is at the discretion of the Captain. In later weeks when everyone has had a BYE, we will start over again. BYEs are carried with any movement between ladders. After being assigned a BYE you will automatically become a SUB for that week’s match play. BYEs must show up at match time. Failure to show up results in a “NO SHOW”. The Captain may ask a BYE to stay through the match in case you are needed. If a BYE/SUB has a last minute excused absence, he/she will not earn a Bye.
SUBs
If you are assigned a Bye, you are expected to be a SUB for that week. Even if you aren’t called to sub, you must show up at match time. There is a strong likelihood that you will be able to fill in as a SUB. A Sub's failure to show up results in a "NO SHOW". Please notify your Ladder Captain if you are called to sub. When a Sub's score counts (see below), the SUB will not earn a BYE. Players above or below your ability within the same ladder may call you to SUB. Captains may also call on Inactive players to SUB.
SUB Scores
SUB scores count if the SUB is one of the players listed on the schedule as a BYE/SUB – and the sub played all 3 games. A SUB’s score would not count if the SUB played a partial match (ie: fills in for an injured player). A SUB’s score would not count when the SUB player played his/her match PLUS agreed to SUB in another match; or if the SUB was from the Inactive list or off the ladder.
Interruption of a Match (Recording of Scores)
Scoring for interrupted matches due to weather or injury will be handled as follows:
1. If the match is terminated before the start of the third game, everyone will get an absence for the match.
2. If the match is terminated sometime during the third game, points for the third game will be assumed to be in the same ratio of the score up to that point. For example, if the score was 9 to 7 at termination, the winning team would get 15 and the losing team would get 7/9 of 15 =12 (rounded to the nearest point).
3. If an injury occurs in the first or second game, the injured player would not get a score for that match. A SUB would be called in. The SUB’s score would not count but the scores of the other 3 players would count.
4. If an injury occurs in the third game, the injured player’s score would be calculated as in #2 above, and a SUB would be called in so that the remaining 3 players can complete the match. The SUB’s score would not count but the scores of the other 3 players would count. If no SUB is available, all 4 players would calculate their scores as in #2 above.
No Shows
If you are a “No Show” (leaving three players without a match), and you have failed to notify your Ladder Captain, you will be suspended from ladder play for 4 weeks. If you’re a “No Show” a second time within a calendar year you will be suspended from ladder play for a period of 8 weeks. A 3rd “No Show” suspends you from ladder play for the calendar year or a period of 12 months. The only exception to this rule will be if you makeup this match prior to the next week’s players Schedule being published on the Ladder page of the club’s website. You must notify your Ladder Captain of the makeup match date and the resulting scores.
NOTE: BYE/SUBs are subject to No Show Rule also.
Rule Changes
These rules can always be changed. A written proposal should be submitted to the Ladder Manager. He/she will review and discuss your suggestions with you. The Ladder Manager will review your proposal with the Ladder Committee and then make a final decision. You will be informed of that decision with an explanation should it be necessary.
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Edit History
Prepared: January 29, 2004
Last update: See list of updates
2/2/04 - Added start date clarification for movement between ladders. Also clarified review period to agree with Boards decision (4 out of 5 weeks ).
3/1/04 - No longer show Inactive players on the club’s website. Modified the one-third percentage establishment rule with the addition of a new program developed by Bill Booth to record & communicate players’ scores, ranking, etc. See notes under Percentage Establishment. This new program should be introduced during March 2004.
Modification to No Shows - You can makeup a match prior to the players schedule being published for next week. You must notify your ladder captain of the scores.
3/9/04 - Added clarification to Can’t Play after Schedule is Published section. Specific wording added to actions to be taken at match time with no shows. Changed 1/3 and 1/2 rules to just the 1/3 rule with the new program. Also, updated the match injury section from rationing the scores after the midpoint of the third game to anytime after the start of the third game.
3/24/04 - Injury returns to competitive ladder play.
5/21/04 - Deleted PICL; Added changes to Novice Ladder; Changed definition re: Player movement UP and DOWN between ladders.
10-3-04 - Clarified who can and cannot be a SUB.
10-23-04 - Deleted references to PICL
12-27-04 - Added emphasis on emailing absence notices rather than calling. Changed rules of movement between N and C ladders. Removed reference to N ladder being a Player Development Center. Added Bye/Sub subject to No Show rule.
2-15-05 - Clarified ladder movement downward, and the Sub's responsibility to show up for the match.
3-11-05 - Removed the paragraph about Injury Returns to Ladder Play
5-16-05 – Changed determination of players’ movement between ladders from rankings-based to percentage-based. See “Player Movement Between Ladders”. Updated the list of Skill Assessors. Deleted reference to Xs.
6-7-05 – Clarified scoring procedures if a SUB fills in after the match has begun. See chapters on SUBs, SUB Scores, and Interruption of a Match.
8-5-05 - General editing throughout. No policy changes or additions.
10-1-05 - Revised BYE assignment to be at the discretion of the Captain. Clarified positioning of player moving from Inactive to Active status to be based on percentage.
01-01-06 - Changed percentage requirement for movement between ladders to 84% up and 65% down, 3 out of 4 times. See "Player Movement Between Ladders".
05-09-06 - Added paragraph to Inactive chapter, regarding returning to Active at same ranking after a long absence.
05-15-06 - Changed the restriction rule from one-third to one-fourth the ladder up or down. See "Percentage Establishment".
05-20-06 - Added paragraph on how to join the ladder. Removed chapter regarding skill assessors. Changed wording to indicate that new players are to assess themselves using the tools provided on the web site. Clarified that the Novice ladder is not a training forum, that beginners are to learn the basic skills and rules of pickleball before joining the ladder program.
05-30-06 - Reinstated skill assessors.