The 2025 Highvern Summer Pickleball competition Rules
The following rules are a quick overview of how the game is played. There are rule modifications made to meet
the recreational nature of the Jersey Pickleball league. All other rules will be governed by the England Pickleball
Association. Jersey Pickleball has the right to modify the league rules for the betterment of the league.
Doubles competition consisting of men’s, women’s and mixed couples singles will be either a
Mens,ladies or both. Teams consist of two players on the court for singles and 4 players for doubles.
The Summer League will run for 9 weeks; entry fee is £10 p/p or £20 per team. Both Teams will pay
for the cost of court from £3 each . Please pay for court hire at the reception kiosk or online at
https://stclementstennis.mycourts.co.uk/payplay_bookings.asp?d=1 or via fort regent booking
system
To view the league please visit https://www.sportyhq.com/tournament/view/2025-Highvern-
Summer-Pickleball-League and sign up to www.sportyhq.com and affiliate yourself with jersey
pickleball.
Admin contact details are whats app 07797758834 and email
Best of luck and I hope you all enjoy the Comp.
Tom
GENERAL GAME INFORMATION
Players:
Players will spin the paddle or play a rally to determine who will serve first. The winner of the spin
or rally will have the option to choose court side or to serve or receive. If the winner chooses to
serve or receive, the loser picks the starting court side. If the winner chooses the starting court side,
the loser chooses to serve or receive.
Teams play best of 5 games or the first team to win 3 games. The number of games played each
date depends on the number of teams signed up for the league. The first side scoring 11 points and
leading by at least a two‐point margin wins. If both sides are tied at 10 points, then the 2 clear point
rule applies. Each match won the winners will receive 3 points 1 point for a draw, 5 bonus points will
be awarded to teams that play all their matches played in the league.
At the beginning of each new game, for Doubles only one partner on the serving team has the
opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving team. After
that, each team member serves until that player loses the serve when the team commits a fault.
After both players have lost their serves, the serve passes to the opposing team.
Points are scored only by the serving team for doubles or per rarley for singles.
A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation. If a team (Doubles) is unable to find a
substitute player, the team will forfeit that dates scheduled game(s).
GAME PLAY
• • The game ball will be the yellow balls provided at the reception Kiosk or players can use
their own ball but it must be a yellow Penn/Head 40 outdoor/indoor ball. Players that do
not have their own paddles can hire one from the reception kiosk or Jerseypickleball will
offer for free if you contact Tom.
• • Teams are responsible for recording their score (on sportyhq) following each game or
whatsapp (07797758834) or emailing () to the League
Administrator.
• It is not mandatory that teams play on the scheduled time and date if a team cannot make
the scheduled time and date, they must reschedule with the other team an alternative time
and day before the next scheduled match.
• • If the sun is an interference for one team, teams may switch sides once one team has
reached six points.
• Alternative venues can be used such as Fort Regent or New Gilson Hall to play your matches
SERVICE SEQUENCE
• • At the beginning of each new game (Doubles), only one partner on the serving team has
the opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving
team. After that, each team member serves until that player loses the serve when the team
commits a fault. After both players have lost their serves, the serve passes to the opposing
team.
• • The first serve of each side out is made from the right‐hand court. Side out is declared
after one side loses its service and other side is awarded service, please use the odd and
even format when serving. Singles if the serving player is on an odd score such as 3-2 then
they must serve from the odd side ( left) at the beginning of a new serve.
• • If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiate the next serve from
the left‐hand court.
• • As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a
fault is committed and the first server loses the serve.
• • When the first server loses the serve, the partner( doubles) then serves from their correct
side of the court. The second server continues serving until his team commits a fault and
loses the serve to the opposing team.
• • Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right‐hand
court and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until
their team commits two faults.
SERVE
• • The serve must be underhand or dropped no pre spin before ball is struck on the serve.
• • Paddle contact with the ball must be below the server’s wrist ( volley) and (navel level)
unless it’s a drop serve.
• • The serve is initiated with at least one foot behind the baseline; neither foot may contact
the baseline or court until after the ball is struck.
• • The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite
diagonal court.
• • Only one serve attempt is allowed, there is no let in pickleball when a serve hits the net
(Doubles) but lands properly in your opponent’s side of the court beyond the no-volley zone
line, it is a live ball and played off the net without stopping play. If the serve hits the net
and doesn’t make it over or beyond the kitchen line, it is a loss of serve for the serving team.
• • Serves shall not be made until the receiver is ready and the score has been called. Serving
before the score is called shall result in a fault, and loss of serve.
• Singles serving the let ball rule is enforced. If a ball hits the net and lands properly in your
opponent’s side of the court beyond the NVZ line then you must take the serve again.
• If a ball from another court interferes with your game, you may call it and re‐do the serve.
DOUBLE BOUNCE RULE
• • When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then
the serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces.
• • After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the
ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke).
SCORING
• • Points are scored only by the serving team.
• • The score should be called as three numbers. The proper sequence for calling the score is:
Server Score—Receiver Score—Server one or two. To start a game, the score will be called:
Zero—Zero—Start.
• • The team’s points will be even when the game’s starting server is on the right‐hand side.
Points will be odd when the game’s starting server is on the left‐hand side.
• Singles Scoring first to 11 (2 clear) point per rally best of 5 games
• Doubles Scoring first to 11 (2 clear) point per serve best of 5 games
• League Format The winners of each box league will play each other to determine who is the
winner.
LINE CALLS
• • A ball contacting any line, except the non‐volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”
• • A serve contacting the non‐volley zone line is short and a fault.
• • A ball contacting the playing surface outside of the baseline or side-line, even though the
edge of the ball overlaps the line, is considered out of bounds if there are official line judges
present.
• • Players will call the lines on their side of the court. The Apex of the ball must be fully on
the line (It’s not tennis where if part of the ball is on the line it would be called in) if unsure
please call a let and replay the rally.
• • No player should question an opponent’s call unless asked. A player should ask the
opponent’s opinion if the opponent was in a better position to see the call. An opponent’s
opinion, if requested, shall be accepted. The opinion of a player looking down the line is
more likely to be accurate than one looking across the line.
NON‐VOLLEY ZONE (COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS “THE KITCHEN”)
• • The non‐volley zone is the court area within seven feet on both sides of the net.
• • Volleying is prohibited within the non‐volley zone. This rule prevents players from
executing smashes from a position within the zone.
• • It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the non‐volley zone, including the
line and/or when the player’s momentum causes them to touch the non‐volley zone
including the associated lines.
• • It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non‐
volley zone, even if the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens.
• • A player may legally be in the non‐volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.
• • A player may enter the non‐volley zone before or after returning any ball that bounces.
• • If a player has touched the non‐volley zone for any reason, that player cannot volley the
return until both feet have made contact with the playing surface completely outside the
non‐volley zone.
• • The act of volleying the ball includes the swing, the follow‐through, and the momentum
from the action. If the paddle touches the non‐volley zone during the swing, it is a fault
regardless of whether the touch occurred before or after contacting the ball.
• • Non‐volley zone faults may be called by any player on either team.
FAULTS
• • A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation.
• • A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team.
• • A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or side out.
• • A player must have possession of the paddle when it makes contact with the ball.
• • A fault occurs when:
o A serve does not land within the confines of the receiving court.
o The ball is hit into the net on the serve or any return.
o The ball is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side.
o The ball is hit out of bounds.
o A ball is volleyed from the non‐volley zone.
o A ball bounces twice before being struck by the receiver.
o A player, player’s clothing, or any part of a player’s paddle touches the net or the net post when
the ball is in play.
o There is a violation of a service and/or non‐volley zone rule.
o A ball in play strikes a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying.
o A ball in play strikes any permanent object before bouncing on the court.
Late Cancellation: Legitimate reasons for cancelling 24hrs before
noon of match day, include Emergency work travel, illness, injury,
family emergency, unforeseeable events like car trouble, etc.
Tardiness: Be on time. Showing up about 10 minutes early is
proper. If team is more than 20 minutes late the waiting team will win
the match. If a player from a team, is late for more than 10 mins the
single player must carry on and play as a team – it is not necessary
to include the tardy participant.
Inclement Weather / League Night Cancellation: When bad
weather is a probability – still plan your day to show up no matter
what. If you do not receive an email indicating league has been
cancelled for the evening or both teams have informed each other,
then just show up. Cancellation emails will go out 2hr prior to start
times. No phone calls. We will not cancel at the “threat” of bad
weather. If bad weather develops – go have a beer or coffee at the
squash club. Participants are expected to play in light rain – but not
in dangerous conditions (heavy rain, puddles, icy courts, lightning
etc).
Make-Up Dates: Rescheduling is allowed but has to be played within
1 weeks of the original scheduled match (unless on holiday) the
opposing team must make the effort to accept the rescheduled time
and date.
When all games are not completed: If all scheduled games were
not completed, due to Rain, court malfunction, injury, etc.
Then only the completed games count (unless a team is 3 points or
more are ahead, for example if a team is drawing 1-1 in games and
its 7-4 in the 3rd game, the team with 3 point lead wins the game). If
necessary, the league administrator will make a ruling as to the
probable order of finish and assign points.
Awards:
All division champions will receive prizes ad trophies. All
winners and runners up will earn promotion to higher divisions the
two teams that finish last in each division will be relegated.
Contact Information Requirement: All participants must provide
the league administrator with an active email and mobile phone. The
email & mobile phone information will be used to notify players of
schedules and events and may be available to others in the league.
Payment Deadline: Prepayment required. All fees are due by
Friday the 1st of August, 2025.
Pickleball League Etiquette Standards:
The following are a few items that won’t be tolerated (The list may grow):
1. Throwing or banging paddles on the court. (This could cause injury to others).
2. Habitual tardiness.
3. Tanking, cheating or fighting.
4. Blaming your partner for loosing
NOTE: You may, at your own discretion and expense, obtain
personal insurance for loss, injury or damage that you might
sustain arising from playing in the league. You play at your
own discretion and accept any injury or illness brought on by
playing pickleball it is your own responsibility. The Jersey
Pickleball league will take no responsibility.
First Aid: There is a defibrillator and first aid assistance at the
Recreational grounds court booking office.
Rubbish: Please take your own trash away or put in the bin
provided.
Thank you.
Please Note: If time has run out and the match is not completed then the team with the
most games win. If the score is 1-1 then the team with at least 2 points or more clear in
the third game wins. If all scores are tied, then it’s a draw.
If a team is late for a match and turns up more than 15 mins late without prior notice to
the opposing team, they will be penalised 1 game and start the match at 0 games to 1.
If a team turns up with only one player and the other player is late by more than 10 mins
then the single player must continue to play the match or forfeit the match.
If a team does not show up for a match without prior notice to the opposing team, they
will forfeit the match and the opposing team takes a walk over win.
Jersey Pickleball reserves the right to modify any rules as deemed necessary. Teams are
subject to disqualification for inappropriate behaviour.
Players play at their own risk Jersey Pickleball will not be liable for any damages occurred

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Location(s)

St Clements Golf and Sports Centre
St Clements JE2 6PA
Jersey