On every pickleball court there should be a sign that reads: PICKLEBALL OPEN PLAY – COURTESY RULE
If courts are full and there are players waiting, please limit play to one game to 11 points.
There seems to be some confusion as to what this Courtesy Rule is saying so, let’s break it down into smaller pieces and discuss each meaning:
Pickleball Open Play COURTESY RULE
Open play is the time to play with little or no leagues, lessons, organized play or outings scheduled. Open play times are posted on the bulletin board at most courts.
Every person has the right to play during open play regardless of skill or prior experience. There are some “right to play conditions” stated in the Courtesy Rule. They are addressed in the next explanation:
IF COURTS ARE FULL AND PLAYERS WAITING
“FULL” IS THE KEY WORD HERE. So, let’s discuss what happens when you arrive at the courts during open play and they are FULL. Then we’re going to discuss what the rules are if you arrive during open play and the courts are NOT FULL, because there is a big, big difference.
FULL means all courts are being used and there are four or more players waiting. That means when the four players on the court finish their game ALL FOUR must rotate off and give up the court to the four players who have been waiting the longest to play. There is no “good old boy” provision for the winning team to remain on the court and allow only two new players to rotate on when the courts are full.If you are doing this, let me remind you that no matter how well intended you think you are, you are depriving two players of their right to play, and you now know that by doing so you are in direct conflict with the Courtesy Rules for all pickleball courts.
Now, let’s talk about what happens if you arrive during an open play time period and the courts are NOT FULL. The Courtesy Rule is not in place and the players on the courts DO NOT have to rotate off when their game is completed, Here is an example of this situation:
You and three friends decide to meet at the courts during open play and have a game with some others. There’s just the four of you. As long as the courts are open, you and your friends can select the court without anyone joining you and will not have to give up the court. However, once the courts are full and your group finishes your game, all four of you MUST rotate off and allow four new players to rotate on. If the four of you want to continue to play with each other, you have every right to do so when it’s your turn to rotate back onto the courts.
PLEASE LIMIT PLAY TO ONE GAME, TO 11 POINTS
This part of the rule only applies if the courts are full, and it addresses a period some times when some players were playing to 15 point. That’s what the Courtesy Rule means.
