HOW TO ENTER YOUR FIRST PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT
By Alice Tym
Start Local On your computer , go online to
pickleballtournaments . com ,
pickleballbrackets . com or the National Senior Games Association site and search for a tournament near you that takes place at a time that suits you . There are plenty of choices .
Understand Necessary Terms “ Age ” in pickleball is the age you are by Dec . 31 of this year . In age tournaments you play people in your five-year age bracket , 50-54 , 55-59 , 60-64 , etc . If you are younger than 50 , there may be divisions such as under 19 or 35 +. There may also be a pro division . Some tournaments have a minimum age . In “ skill ” tournaments you play people rated the same as you are regardless of age . In age / skill tournaments both systems are used . When there are fewer players of a certain age or skill , the tournament director decides how to combine players . You usually don ’ t find out how things have been combined until midnight before you are scheduled to play .
Remember , in doubles you play the age of the younger partner and the skill of the higher skilled partner . You will find it easier to be a balanced team in both age and skill .
Ratings If you have a pickleball teaching professional in your area , ask him or her to rate you . If you self-rate , remember that it is better to begin on the low side so that you play more matches and get more experience . Giving yourself a high rating when you have little experience may lead to an early exit . Your ego should back off until you see where you fit into competitive pickleball .
Submitting Your Entry Most tournaments now require you to enter and pay electronically . Some National Senior Games tournaments ( a wonderful place for senior players 50 and over to begin playing competitively ) and local tournaments allow a paper entry , but beware – they sometimes charge an extra fee to do so . When asked for your t-shirt size , try to determine whether the sizing is unisex or specifically men ’ s and women ’ s . The devil is in the details .
Location and Check-In Once you have paid , be sure you know the location of the venue and arrive 30 minutes before the 30 minutes ahead that the organizers tell you to arrive . There is seldom enough parking and the line to check in is usually long . If you want to warm up , add an extra 30 minutes to your arrival time . Usually finding a practice court is difficult . Don ’ t be afraid to ask to share a court . Pay attention to the time . Pickleball takes start times seriously .
Some players bring pills for leg cramps or packets of mustard . Prepare for a long day .
Court Assignment Some tournaments use loudspeakers , but many are now texting your phone . You need to be attached to your phone and listen closely . There is very little grace time after you are notified . Stay close and , if possible , pay attention to the match preceding yours . It is your responsibility no matter how flawed the system is . If you are accustomed to a sport that schedules matches , forget it . You may be called early . If you are accustomed to posted draws , forget it . Pickleball keeps the draws a secret until after midnight the day of play . Don ’ t ask why . Learn to use the systems your phone provides .
You Have Been Called Once you have been notified , go to the court and look for your referee . You will be asked to show your paddle so the referee can check to see if it has been approved . The referee will have you choose a number to decide the toss — which team serves , and which side is chosen . Those choices are a whole different article ! Do not put your bags on the court . Only water is allowed on the court ; bags go outside the fence .
Line Calls You are expected to make line calls loud and clear . The referee will tell you which lines are your responsibility . If the ball touches the line , it is in . If you can ’ t see the ball clearly out , it is in . If you don ’ t have a referee , it is the Wild Wild West .
After the Match After the match is complete , players go to the net and touch paddles . COVID-19 stopped players from shaking hands . If you do not have a referee , the winner is responsible for writing down the score , circling the names of the winners , and promptly taking the clipboard to the tournament desk .
Win or Lose Whether you win or lose , it is not over . Most pickleball tournaments are double elimination or round robin . You need to follow the back draw if possible . That may not be easy since draws are often not posted . Pay attention to your phone or the loudspeaker . You play until you lose twice or get a medal .
Medal Stand If you are called to the medal stand , grab your partner and congratulate everyone there with you . Start making plans for your next tournament . •
Preparation for a Long Day Once you have checked in , make sure you have your water bottle and plenty of snacks and food . It could be a very long day . Bring a chair and an umbrella for the sun . Many players bring a cooler . Some bring enough supplies to stock a small convenience store ; those players are the experienced ones . They are easy to identify by their roller bags and dollies . Bring money . There may be food trucks and vendors with colorful shirts for sale . You should consider bringing a change of clothes . Bathrooms are usually scarce or far away , so pack some toilet paper . A hat or visor is important , as is sunscreen .
Alice Tym was ranked 13th in the world for tennis in the ‘ 60s . She ’ s been named USPTA Coach of the Year and is a USPTA Master Professional . As a 4.5 pickleball player , she won gold in Huntsman , NSGA Nationals , US Open , and USA Pickleball events around the country . Alice is an IPTPA member , SSIPA founding board member , Bainbridge Cup Originator and gold medalist in Spain , Italy , and Germany .
MAY / JUNE 2022 | MAGAZINE 33