League Info
The current ladder league requires a DUPR of 3.35 or higher upon registering.
Spares can be as low as 3.25 DUPR. You do not need to only find spares in the group, anyone who has a DUPR rating of 3.25 or higher and has a Pickleheads account can spare.
In the 4 or 5 weeks of games, your DUPR will fluctuate. To keep things competitive, and to ensure fair games for everyone, if you’ve fallen below a 3.35 DUPR you cannot register for the next month even if you were eligible the previous month.
Rules & Etiquette
Since these are DUPR games, I want to lay out the line calling rules very clearly as there are often “rules rumors” as I like to call them, floating around that are incorrect.
Let’s acknowledge that line calls that are questionable are never more than 1 inch out and 1 inch really shouldn’t affect your ability to play the ball.
In light of that, remember all calls you make, you must be 100% certain. Not 80%, not 90% not even 99%. Your partner being 75% sure and you being 75% sure doesn’t mean you can call it out as there is still doubt. If you even a shred of doubt, do not make a call and play the ball.
LINE CALLS
- If the ball touches any part of the line, it is IN.
- The above includes the center line on the serve
- If the ball touches any part of the kitchen line on the serve it’s considered in the kitchen, and therefore a loss of serve.
In addition to this, some further notes and etiquette should be understood:
- You are not calling a ball “in ” or “out” you are only calling it “out” and if you can’t call it out for any reason it defaults to in. The ball can be 6 feet out but if you didn’t see it, you have to call it “in” (or ask the opposing team).
- If you have any doubt – you must call it “in” but you can also ask the opposing side and their ruling stands (if they didn’t see it as well – also “in”)
- In order to call a ball “out” you must see the blue color of the court between the white line and the ball. Even if you “know” it was out, you cannot call it out if you don’t see it out.
- If you disagree with your partners “out” call, speak up! A disagreement means it is in. Don’t let “sticking with your partner” overrule playing fairly!
- It is acceptable to say you didn’t see the ball and leave the call fully to your partner, but only if you really didn’t see it.
- The center line on the serve is the most mis-called out ball. The serving team actually has a much better view. If it looks very close, just play the ball as the receiver. Let’s try and remember a half an inch really isn’t going to affect your ability to play that serve.
- As the serving side if you do see a ball close to the center line that you are sure is out, please be honest and call it.
Finally, a bit of a “house rule” for this league.
In an effort to mitigate the worst bad calls (we can never eliminate all bad calls, and we will all make them), I’m encouraging the person sitting off to stand in the “referee position” to watch the lines. They are under no obligation to do so and can come and go into this position as they wish.
This person’s role would be the following:
- Primarily to watch for line calls, not NVZ foot faults.
- Should only make calls if the opponents disagree with the line call.
- Should only reverse the line call if they are 100% certain it was incorrect.
- Can weigh in on NVZ foot fault disagreements, but only if 100% certain.
- This person should not make any calls whatsoever unless there is a disagreement.
FOOT FAULTS
This rule is a little bit obscure, but it should be noted.
In the case of your opponent calling a NVZ foot fault, if you disagree then the point is replayed. This is the official rule and should be strictly adhered to.
ETIQUETTE
No extreme screaming or yelling and no throwing your paddle.
Throwing your paddle is actually considered “extreme unsportsmanlike behavior” and will result in either a 1 point deduction from the offending side, or if their score is 0, a 1 point addition to the other side. This is in line with the actual rules and is called a technical fault.
Above all let’s keep things kind, fun and honest!
