INSTRUCTION i by PPR ’ s CHRISTINE BARKSDALE Get Ready for Your First Pickleball Tournament !
As pickleball grows recreationally for people everywhere , so does the competitive side of the sport . Tournaments are popping up all over the world !
At first , you may have said to your friends and family that you are just going to test this sport out and see what the hype is all about . Next thing you know , you are at the courts every day !
Then one day , someone invites you to be their partner in the upcoming club tournament . Without batting an eye , you excitedly reply , “ Count me in !”
Later , you start thinking about what you just committed to . Don ’ t worry — with the influx of pickleball players , you are not alone . There are many players who will be contemplating their first tournament experience . So , to help new players everywhere , here is what to expect :
• Generally , tournaments create event categories divided by age and skill rating . For example , Women ’ s 4.0 Skill , Age 50 +, with the goal of creating a fun , competitive tournament experience for all levels and ages of players . Be sure to know your skill level when you register . If you are uncertain , you can find materials on the USA Pickleball website , or talk to the people you have been playing with — they may be able to provide the insight you need .
• There are a variety of ways for brackets to be set up depending on the number of registrations or the goal of the tournament . Some examples include a round robin , round robin to a single elimination bracket , or the popular double elimination bracket — where even with a loss , you can still work your way back to the gold medal round and win the event . Expect to play a minimum of two matches , even if you do not win your first match .
• Traditionally , events are played all in one day , with varying amounts of time in between matches . It is important to note that with variable times between matches , you will want to manage pre-match warm-up , nutrition , and hydration carefully . This is something you will get better at as you play more tournaments .
• You will be called to matches via text or speakers around the venue , and will have just a few minutes to get to the court for play — so staying close to the venue is essential .
• Some tournaments provide referees , which can help create that official tournament experience . If you have never played a game with a referee , just relax , listen to the instructions regarding line calls , non-volley zone faults , score calling , etc ., and it will go smoothly . You may wish you had a referee for some of your recreational matches !
• Gold , silver and bronze medals are almost always awarded in each event category each day , so be sure to look at the bracket before you leave — you would not want to miss your first visit to the medal stand !
Now that the mystery of a tournament has been eliminated , here are some tips on how to best prepare for a day at a pickleball tournament .
It is important to carefully read the tournament registration page . That will contain valuable information , including start times , venue details , tournament ball , etc . It is also a good idea to check the website for updates or watch for emails from the tournament director as the event gets closer .
Once you have key information :
• If you do not play with a tournament ball regularly , buy a few that you can use in practice with your partner during rec play .
• Create a pre-match routine . Playing in a tournament may create nerves that are not usually there for rec play . A routine can help with the nerves — even a simple warm-up routine or a serve routine .
• An important part of any partnership is communication , both on the court and off the court . Talk to your partner about who will be the starting server , what time to arrive , how much warm-up is needed , and anything else that might be important to you .
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