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2013 Pickleball Information

SunRiverDirectors: Ken Schoonover & Mary Lynn Larson

Assistants: Bob Klarich, Sharon Sacco, Don Odle

Events:
Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Skill Level Doubles

Schedule:
Monday, Oct. 14 – Friday, Oct. 18 - Competition begins at 8:00 am daily - There will be no make-up day(s)
 
Venues:
SunRiver Pickleball Courts, 4275 South Country Club Drive, St. George
Little Valley Pickleball Courts, 2149 Horseman Park Drive., St. George

Divisions:
Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles: 
5-Year Age Brackets - 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-99, 100+

Skill Level Doubles:  
Men-3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 and Women-3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0
Skill Level Doubles will be further divided into 50-64 and 65+ age divisions - NEW THIS YEAR!

Games officials reserve the right to cancel any event or combine age or skill level divisions due to insufficient entries 

Sport Fee:
$5 Per Event

Registration Deadline
Early Bird Deadline (Save $20) – August 1
Final Registration Deadline – September 1

REGISTRATION  RULES
• Registration is limited to the first 500 Pickleball players.  Be sure you and your partner register early!
• Changes in partners after September 1 are subject to the approval of the tournament directors.
• Age division for Mens Doubles, Womens Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Skill Level Doubles events shall be determined by the age of the youngest partner.
• Participants entering Skill Level Doubles must provide their skill level on their registration form.  Those needing to determine their skill level should check the USA Pickleball Association website, http://ipickleball.org/ratings/IFP_ratings_descriptions.html, or see the Ratings Description Chart below.
• The division for a Skill Level Doubles team will be determined by the rating of the higher rated player and the age of the youngest player (see skill levels and age divisions for Skill Level Doubles listed above).
• Tournament directors reserve the right to approve a player's appropriate skill level rating and the corresponding skill events in which the player will participate.
• Participants may enter one or all events, but only once in each event.
• If you would like to play in a doubles event but do not have a partner check PartnerFinder for a listing, by sport, of individuals looking for partners.
• Pickleball participants may not enter other sports scheduled during their Pickleball event(s).
• We invite participants (who are willing and able) to volunteer as referees during the tournament.  If you are interested please mark the appropriate box on your registration form.

RATINGS DESCRIPTIONS

Rating

Rating Description

1.0

New and have only minimal knowledge of the game and the rules.

1.5

Limited to some rallies.
Learning how to serve.
Developing a forehand.
Fails to return easy balls frequently and occasionally misses the ball entirely.
Played a few games and is learning the court lines, scoring, and some basic rules of the game.

2.0

Sustains a short rally with players of equal ability.
Demonstrating the basic shot strokes – forehand, backhand, volley, overhead and the serve, but has obvious weaknesses in most strokes.
Familiar with court positioning in doubles play.

2.5

Makes longer lasting slow-paced rallies.
Makes most easy volleys and uses some backhands, but needs more work on developing shot strokes.
Beginning to approach the non-volley zone to hit volleys.
Aware of the “soft game.”
Knowledge of the rules has improved.
Court coverage is weak but improving.

3.0

More consistent on the serve and service return and when returning medium-paced balls.
Demonstrates improved skills with all the basic shot strokes and shot placement but lacks control when trying for direction, depth, or power on their shots.
Beginning to attempt lobs and dinks with little success and doesn’t fully understand when and why they should be used. 

3.5

Demonstrates improved stroke dependability with directional control on most medium-paced balls and some faster-paced balls.
Demonstrates improved control when trying for direction, depth and power on their shots.
Needs to develop variety with their shots.
Exhibits some aggressive net play.
Beginning to anticipate opponent’s shots.
Learning about the importance of strategy and teamwork in doubles.

4.0

Consistent and dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand shots.
Reliable serves, lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys and can use spin shots with some success.
Occasionally can force errors when serving.
Rallies may be lost due to impatience.
Uses the dink shot and drop shots to slow down or change the pace of the game.
Demonstrates 3rd shot strategies – drop shots, lobs, and fast-paced ground strokes.
Aggressive net play and teamwork in doubles is evident.
Fully understands the rules of the game and can play by them.

4.5

Beginning to master the use of power and spin, can successfully execute all shots, can control the depth of their shots, and can handle pace.
Beginning to master the dink shots and drop shots and their importance to the game.
Beginning to master 3rd shot choices.
Displays sound footwork and moves well enough to get to the non-volley zone whenever required.
Understands strategy and can adjust style of play and game plan according to the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and court position.
Serves with power and accuracy and can also vary the speed and spin of the serve.
Understands the importance of “keeping the ball in play” and the effect of making errors.
Making good choices in shot selection.
Anticipates the opponent’s shots resulting in good court positioning.

5.0

Mastered all the skills – all shot types, touch, spin, serves, with control and can use them as weapons.
Excellent shot anticipation, extremely accurate shot placement and regularly hit winning shots.
Forces opponents into making errors by “keeping the ball in play.”
Mastered the dink and drop shots.
Mastered the 3rd shot choices and strategies.
Uses soft shots, dinks and lobs to set up offensive situations.
Mastered pickleball strategies and can vary strategies and styles of play in competitive or tournament matches.
Dependable in stressful situations as in tournament match play.
Athletic ability, quickness, agility, and raw athleticism are also qualities that are sometimes what separates the top players from those near the top.


FORMAT / RULES
• Event is USAPA sanctioned.  Membership is not required.
• USAPA/IFP rules will govern play.
• Outdoor balls (yellow) will be used.
• Format will be round-robin for divisions with five (5) participants or less and double elimination for divisions with six (6) or more participants, subject to the discretion of the tournament directors.  In addition, larger divisions will be split into A, B, and possibly C groupings.  
• Schedule will be posted in the Sports Den at the Dixie Center by October 6.
• Participants must check-in and present their HWSG ID Badge at the venue check-in prior to play, each day they play in an event. 

EVENT  SCHEDULE
Monday - Womens Doubles, Mens Skill Level Doubles-3.0, 3.5 
Tuesday - Mens Doubles, Womens Skill Level Doubles-3.0 
Wednesday - Mixed Doubles
Thursday - Mens Skill Level Doubles-4.0, 4.5, 5.0, Womens Skill Level Doubles- 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0
Friday - Singles

MEDALS
Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded to the top three players in each division in each event.  Awards will be presented daily, at the conclusion of each event. 

SPORT  SPONSOR  SOCIAL  (ID Badge or Ticket Required)
Date: Friday, Oct. 18
Time: 5:00 pm (approximately)
Location: SunRiver Community Center, 4275 South Country Club Drive, St. George, UT 

KICK-OFF OPEN HOUSE SOCIAL
Registered players are invited to the SunRiver Pickleball courts on Sunday, October 13, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm for open social play, so that you can greet old friends and make new friends. This will be a “no frills” event, so plan on bringing your own supply of food and drinks sufficient to keep yourself well hydrated and energized. The courts will be busy, so expect to rotate four-on/four-off each game.