Before entering your first pickleball tournament, it is important to understand the system. So, how does a pickleball tournament work?

Do you automatically qualify for the next round if you win your match? Is it a single-elimination bracket, or are there multiple rounds? There are all sorts of different pickleball tournaments out there. You might be wondering how they work and what you need to do to compete in them.

Most pickleball tournaments are organized by skill level, so you'll be playing against players of similar ability. There are usually four players in each group, and you'll play each player twice. The winner of each match advances to the next round until there is only one player left standing.

Although it has been over 50 years since the creation of the sport, pickleball is still a relatively new sport, so it is normal for players exploring pickleball and its tournaments to compete at a higher level.

As pickleball experts, we put together this guide explaining the basics of how pickleball tournaments are run. Remember that every tournament is different, so it may vary from one tournament to another.

Pickleball Tournament Formats

There are a few different ways that pickleball tournaments can be formatted. The most common format is single elimination, where players are eliminated from the tournament after one loss. However, there are also doubles tournaments, round-robin tournaments, and consolations tournaments.

Single-Elimination

Players are paired up and play each other in the best of three matches in a single-elimination tournament. The losers of each match are eliminated from the tournament while the winners advance to the next round. This continues until only one player, or team is left standing, then the winner is declared.

Doubles

In a doubles tournament, teams of two players face off against each other in the best of three matches. Like in single-elimination tournaments, the losing teams are eliminated, and the winning teams advance until only one team is left.

Round Robin

All players or teams are placed into a pool in a round-robin tournament. They then play each other in the best of three matches, with the winner of each match receiving two points and the loser receiving one point. At the end of the round-robin stage, the player or team with the most points advances to the next stage.

Consolations

A consolation tournament is for players who have already lost in the main tournament. In this type of tournament, all losers from the main tournament are placed into a pool and play each other in the best of three matches. The winner of the consolation tournament is the player or team who wins the most matches.

Pickleball Tournament Event Categories

The three main categories of pickleball tournaments are men's, women's, and mixed. Each category has its own set of rules and regulations.

The men's tournament is for male players only. The age categories for men are:

• 19 and under
• 20 to 34
• 35 to 44
• 45 to 54
• 55 to 64
•  65 to 74
• 75 and over

The women's tournament is for female players only. The age categories for women are:

• 19 and under
• 20 to 34
• 35 to 44
• 45 to 54
• 55 to 64
• 65 to 74
• 75 and over

The same category applies to the mixed tournaments with both players of a team required to be of the same age group.

Type of Pickleball Tournaments

There are two types of Pickleball tournaments:

Sanctioned Tournaments

Sanctioned tournaments are approved by the USAPA or other governing bodies. These tournaments must follow certain rules and regulations set forth by the USAPA or other governing bodies. Sanctioned Pickleball tournament will typically have more players than an unsanctioned tournament, as sanctioned tournaments tend to be more well-known. These tournaments also often offer prize money, attracting more competitive players.

Unsanctioned Tournaments

Unsanctioned tournaments are not approved by any governing body. These may have their own set of rules and regulations, or they may not have any rules at all. Unsanctioned tournaments may be more casual and may not have any prize money. They can be a great way to get involved in the Pickleball community and meet other players.

Scoring Rules

Scoring in a Singles Pickleball Tournament

In pickleball singles tournament play, each game is played to 11 points. The first player to score 11 points wins the game unless both players have 10 points, in which case the first player to lead by two points wins the game. If the score reaches 10-10, either player can win by scoring two consecutive points.

The games are played best three out of five. The first player to win three games is the match-winner. A seven-point tiebreaker is played if the match's score reaches 2-2. The first player to score seven points in the tiebreaker wins the match.

Scoring in a Doubles Pickleball Tournament

In a pickleball tournament, there are usually four players on the court at a time - two teams of two. In doubles play, each team has its own scoring rules. The first team to score 11 points wins the game, but there must be a margin of two points - so if the score is 10-10, play continues until one team has a 12-10 lead. If the score reaches 11-11, then play continues until one team has a two-point lead.

To win a set, a team must win two games. In other words, if one team wins the first game 11-9, and the other team wins the second game 11-9, then a tiebreaker is played to determine the winner of the set. The tiebreaker is played to seven points, and the same two-point margin rule applies. Whichever team reaches seven points first (with a margin of two) wins the set. A match is won when a player or team wins two out of three sets.

However, there are some important scoring quirks that players need to be aware of. For example, if one team scores four points in a row, they win the game immediately (known as a “shutout”).

These scoring rules may seem straightforward, but they can often lead to surprising results. So when you’re playing in your next pickleball doubles tournament, make sure you know all the scoring rules before getting started.

Serving in Pickleball Tournaments

In any pickleball tournament, service and end selection rules must be followed to ensure a fair and competitive match. These rules are designed to give both players an equal chance at winning the game and prevent one player from having an unfair advantage.

When playing in pickleball tournaments, players must decide who will serve first and which end of the court they would like to play on.

Players can choose to serve, receive, side, or defer during matches. The player who wins the coin toss can elect to serve or receive first or choose to defer their decision until later in the match.

Service and end selection rules may vary slightly from tournament to tournament, but the basic premise is always the same: each player must have the opportunity to serve and play from each end of the court.

The most common way to ensure this fairness is through “rotation.” Rotations can be either clockwise or counter-clockwise, but in either case, each player will eventually work their way around to playing from every position on the court.

A few different rotation patterns may be used in pickleball, but the most common is the “two-up, two-down” system. In this system, players rotate positions after every two points are played. So, if Player A serves the first point, they will play from the right side of the court for the second point. If Player B wins the second point, they will then serve from the left side of the court (or “deuce court”) for the third point. This pattern continues until one player has won four points, at which time that player gets to choose which end of the court they would like to play from for the next game.

The “two-up, two-down” system is just one example of a service and end selection rule that may be used in pickleball. Other common variations include the “one-up, one-down” and the “straight up” systems. No matter which system is used, the goal is always to ensure that each player has an equal chance to serve and play from each end of the court.

Changing End Rules of the Pickleball Court

When playing in pickleball tournaments, players will often have to change the ends of the court during matches. This can be confusing, especially if you're not used to it. Here's a quick guide on how to change the ends of the pickleball court during matches in tournaments.

First, when the score reaches 11 points, the player who is ahead will serve from the right side of the court. The behind player will serve from the left side of the court.

After each game is won, the players will switch sides of the court. So, if you were serving from the right side before, you'll now serve from the left side.

Finally, at 21 points, whoever is ahead will again serve from the right side. The player who is behind will serve from the left side. After each game is won, the players will switch sides of the court again.

Changing Sides Between the Game

It is customary to change ends in the middle of an 11-point pickleball game after one player or team has scored six points. This ensures that both sides have an equal opportunity to serve from the same end of the court and prevents one player from having an advantage. Some tournaments or leagues may have different rules for when to change ends, so checking with the tournament director or league coordinator before playing is essential.

Pickleball Referee Responsibilities

A pickleball referee has several responsibilities during a game.

First, they must keep track of the score. This includes calling out the score after each point and keeping track of which player serves next.

Second, they must keep an eye on the gameplay and ensure that the players follow the rules. If a player breaks a rule, the referee will call a foul and award the point to the other team.

Third, the referee may need to make rulings on disputed points. When players feel that a point should be awarded, they can appeal to the referee for a ruling. The referee will then review the play and decide based on the evidence they see.

Finally, the referee is responsible for enforcing any penalties assessed during the game. This could include issuing warning cards or ejecting players from the game for repeated rule violations.

The referee ensures that pickleball games are fair and fun for all players by upholding these responsibilities.

Line Calls by Referee

Line calls by the referee are a vital part of any pickleball tournament. The line calls help keep the game fair and ensure that the players follow the rules. When a line call is made, the referee will raise their hand and point to the violated line. The player who made the line call will then have to decide whether to challenge the call or accept it. If the player challenges the call, they will have to step off the court and wait for the referee to rule. If the player accepts the call, they will forfeit the point.

Line calls can be made on any line on the court, including the baseline, sideline, service line, or non-volley line. Referees will also make line calls on balls that land out of bounds. Players can always respectfully disagree with line calls that they believe are incorrect. However, it is important to remember that line calls are final and cannot be changed once they are made.

Time-Outs on the Pickleball Court

Time-outs can be a helpful strategy during a pickleball tournament, but there are some rules to follow. First, each team is allowed one time-out per game. Time-outs can only be called when the ball is not in play, and a player must call them on the court. Time-outs can last up to 60 seconds, and teams can only have one time-out per game. If a team uses its time-out, it cannot call another one for the rest of the match.

There are some other essential things to keep in mind about time-outs. First, players should use them sparingly - calling too many time-outs can disrupt the game's flow and give your opponents an advantage. Second, time-outs can be an excellent opportunity to regroup and strategize with your teammates, but don't use them as an opportunity to take a break - you should be ready to get back on the court as soon as the time-out is over.

However, according to the USA Pickleball Association's official rulebook, there are different types of time-outs. Medical and equipment time-outs are typically longer, depending on the severity of the emergency.

Forfeits and Withdrawals on the Pickleball Court

If a player must withdraw from a match due to injury or illness, they must notify their opponent and the tournament director as soon as possible. The withdrawn player will then forfeit the match.

Players who do not show up for their scheduled match will also forfeit. If a player is more than 10 minutes late to their match, they will automatically forfeit the first game. After that, they will forfeit one point for every minute they are late, up to a maximum of two games.

If a player must withdraw from the tournament altogether, they will forfeit all of their matches.

Players who are disqualified from a match will also forfeit. Disqualification can occur for several reasons, such as unsportsmanlike conduct or not following the dress code.

Forfeiting a match can be disappointing to end a tournament, but it is important to remember that the rules are in place to ensure fairness for all players. By following the rules and being respectful of your opponents, you can help to make sure that everyone has a positive experience on the pickleball court.