​Open Play Court Rules

Purpose

To allow groups of four or more PebbleCreek homeowners, renters and their guests to play amongst themselves.

Court Organization

• Courts are organized by pods (a group of courts).

• Each pod will have a paddle box associated with the courts in that pod.

• Each paddle box will have a band that is used to indicate the next player group.

• Players will play in one of the courts in the matching pod for their paddle box.

•Singles, drilling and ball machine use:

• Are only allowed if there are vacant Open Play courts.

• Drilling and ball machine use must cease immediately if a new group of four players arrive.

• Singles players are allowed to complete their game if a new group of four players arrive.

• Court 17 will periodically be reserved for coaching outside peak hours (after 2pm).

• Club events take precedence over Open Play court use.

Paddle Placement

• Paddles are organized in groups of four in the paddle boxes.

• All four players must be present to place paddles in the box.

• One player puts all four paddles in together for the group.

• 1 player = 1 paddle (no holding spots for others).

• Once paddles are in the box:

• If any paddles are substituted or exchanged, all paddles for the group must move to the back of the queue.

• If a player withdraws, all paddles for the group need to be removed. If a new group is formed, their paddles may be placed at the back of the queue.

• Paddles placed in the paddle box at a time when there were no vacant courts may remain in the paddle box.

Player Rotation

• Paddle order, not proximity to the court, determines which group plays next.

• When a court opens up:

  • The band indicating the next group of paddles is removed.

  • The band is moved to the next group of four paddles in the queue.

  • The paddles are distributed to the four players going on the court.

• Extra players (not in a group of four) must wait until their group's game ends before placing their paddles in the paddle box with others in their group.

• Larger groups using multiple courts must mix players before placing paddles in the paddle box.

Game Rotation

• Games are played to 11, win by 1 using traditional scoring.

• No player is required to move from a pod in which they are already playing.

• Once a game is completed:

  • If no paddles are waiting in the paddle box, players are not required to leave the court and may continue playing.

  • If players leave their court, that court is now considered vacant.

• If there are paddles waiting, players must place their paddles back in the box at the end of the queue or move to a different pod.

• Newly arrived players or those changing pods should take a vacant court (any unoccupied Open Play court). Players are not required to use courts 17,18,19 or 20, even if unoccupied.​

General Etiquette

• Be considerate of your fellow players.

• No group should dominate a court at the expense of others.

• If a game is exceptionally long, consider changing to rally scoring.

• If courts are crowded, your paddles are already in a box and a court becomes vacant, consider moving to the vacant Open Play court to ease crowding.

• If during inclement weather, a group of players dry off the court, they get first priority on using the court (regardless of whether other players are waiting).

• If courts are busy (even if there are vacant courts), use of the ball machines is

discouraged given the length of time for machine setup / take down and clean up.

• Bags should be placed outside the courts. If hung, please fasten low on fence.

Q&A

Question: Can paddles be placed in the box if other Open Play courts are vacant ?

Answer:   Depends on conditions:

• If already playing in the pod associated with the box, they may continue to play in that pod by placing your paddles back in the paddle box.

• If players are newly arrived and there are vacant Open Play courts (other than courts 17, 18, 19 and 20), players must use those vacant courts first.

 

Question: All Open Play courts were full when we placed our paddles in the box. While we were waiting, some courts became vacant. Do we have to move ?

Answer: No. Moving is optional in this case. If courts or paddle boxes are crowded, consider moving, but it not required.

 

Question: There are vacant Open Play courts. Can my partner and I play singles ?

Answer: Yes, under certain conditions. If the courts fill up, you may complete your game and wait for courts to become vacant. You cannot place paddles in the box for singles when all courts are full.

 

Question: Can players use Drop-in courts for Open Play ?

Answer: Yes, under certain conditions. If there are vacant Drop-in courts, Open Play players can use these courts, however, if Drop-in players arrive and place their paddles in the box, the Open Play players must leave the court at the game’s completion. If there are paddles already waiting in the box, players would have to merge into that group.

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Question: I see a vacant Drop-in court, can I “hold” it for Open Play while I wait for the other players to arrive ?

Answer: No. If using a vacant Drop-in court for Open Play, all four players must be present.

 

Question: We have a group of five players, can one of the players hold a position for the group when their game completes ?

Answer: No. You must wait until the game completes, mix partners / players and then place four paddles in the paddle box.

 

Question: We have a group of 12 players, mixing up a round robin on three courts. Can we reserve our spots in the paddle box and mix players when it is our turn ?

Answer: No. You must organize into groups of four before placing paddles in the box.

 

Question: We just finished playing a game but need a break. There are vacant courts. Can we place our paddles in a box anyway since we’re not taking a court right away ?

Answer: Depends on conditions:

• If no paddles are waiting in the paddle box, players may take a brief break.

• If other players arrive, you should start play immediately or allow the new players to begin their game.

• If players leave their court, that court is now considered vacant, so any new players placing paddles in the paddle box will be able to play next.

 

Question: Our paddles are already in the paddle box. If a player has to leave or we want to substitute one player for another, can we do so ?

Answer: No. If you need to change players, you must pull all the paddles from the box, make your change and place the paddles at the back of the queue.

 

Question: Our paddles are already in the paddle box. One player wants to change the paddle they plan on using in the upcoming game. Can they do so ?

Answer: No. Wait until it’s your turn to go your court. Make your paddle change then.