Tournament Format:

There will be 2 skill level groups in this tourney, 3.5+, and 4.0+. Each group will consist of a maximum of 6 teams.

A round-robin format will be utilized for each group, and will be played in each group.

Each team will consist of 4 men players. Individual rating of each player will be based on DUPR rating. If a player does not have a DUPR rating, then, the average team rating will be used. Max team rating allowed for this tourney is 5.0.

Coin Flip:

The winner of the coin flip will have the choice of being either the Home Team or Away Team. The winner of the coin flip will also have the choice of serving first, receiving first, selecting end or deferring the choice to their opponent.

If the winner elects to serve or receive first, the opposing team may select the end. If the winner selects the end, the opposing team may select to either serve or receive first.

Before the first game starts, the away team will select their starting line-up first, and the home team will select their starting line-up second.

First server and end for the beginning of each game will remain the same throughout the match.

HOME: The Home team will choose its men's doubles teams last. The home team must declare first during the singles Dreambreaker game. The teams will alternate first serve after each game. AWAY: The Away team must declare the men's doubles teams first, but gets to go last on singles Dreambreaker player choice.

Warm Up:

A warm up time of 2 minutes will be provided to teams prior to their match. Warm up time will be enforced. Warm up time may be shortened if both teams agree to start their match sooner.

Serves:

Acceptable serves will be defined using the USA Pickleball 2023 Official Rulebook:

https://usapickleball.org/docs/USA-Pickleball-Official-Rulebook-2023-v2.pdf

Matches:

Each match will consist of four games, winner first to 21, with rally scoring. A round-robin format will be utilized. 3 rounds will be played with 4 games played in each round. The 3rd and 4th game will be played by teammates that did not play together in the first two games.

Each game will be played to 21 points (first to 21) with rally scoring.

Players will change ends when one team reaches the score of 11 (1 minute for end change).

In the event that one team wins the first 3 games in a match, the 4th game will still be played in order to fairly calculate the teams’ total point differential (if needed for tie-breaker).

Rally Scoring/Freezes:

All games are first to 21. Rally scoring will be played until one team reaches 19 points, at which time the team reaching 19 points is subject to a freeze on rally scoring and must score their last 2 points while serving. If the trailing team reaches 18 points, that team will also be subject to a freeze on rally scoring and must also score their last 3 points while serving.

Player change of Side/Serve:

Partners do not switch sides after serving winning points during the entire game.

The partner who begins the game on the deuce (right) side will remain on the deuce side to receive and serve when their score is even, unless the partner’s side is switched during an end change or if their team calls a timeout.

The partner who begins the game on the ad (left) side will remain on the ad side to receive and serve when their score is odd, unless the partner’s side is switched during an end change or if their team calls a timeout.

Only the team that calls a timeout may switch player sides during that timeout.

They must inform the opposing team of the switch before play resumes. Once the opposing team confirms the switch, their positions are set.

Stacking is allowed, but partners must begin the rally on their correct sides. Players may switch sides after their first ball strike of the rally.

Timeouts:

Each team will each be allowed one 2-minute timeout per game. Timeouts do not carry over to following games in a match (use it or lose it).

Switching Partner Sides:

Partners may only switch sides during a match when either:

Teams switch ends after either team reaches 11 points (either team may switch player sides), or:

When a team uses a timeout (only the team calling the timeout may switch player sides).

Match Tiebreaker:

At the end of each match, if there is a tie between the teams (2-2), a tiebreaker “Dreambreaker” game will only be played. The criteria that will be used to determine the winner of the match:

Away team will select the order of their players first, then the home team will select.

Home team serves first. First to 15 points with rally scoring wins the match. Players on both teams will tag out to their next teammate after every 4 rally points scored.

Playoff:

The Tournament Director reserves the right to amend the format of play based on participation or any other unforeseen event, up to and including the day of the tournament.

Depending on the number of teams participating, the format to determine medal winners may be:

No Playoff: Medalists will be determined by their win/loss record.

Playoff Option 1: The winners of each pool will play 1 match to determine the gold/silver medal winner, and the 2nd place finishers in each pool will play 1 match to determine the bronze medal winner.

All games will be played first to 21 with rally scoring until one team reaches 19 points, at which time the team reaching 19 points is subject to a freeze on rally scoring and must score their last 2 points while serving. If the trailing team reaches 18 points, that team will also be subject to a freeze on rally scoring and must also score their last 3 points while serving.

Playoff Option 2: The 1st place finisher of each bracket will play the 2nd place finisher of the alternate bracket in a semifinal match. The winner of each match will play 1 match to determine the gold/silver medal winner, and the 2nd place finishers in each pool will play 1 match to determine the bronze medal winner.

All games will be played first to 21 with rally scoring until one team reaches 19 points, at which time the team reaching 19 points is subject to a freeze on rally scoring and must score their last 2 points while serving. If the trailing team reaches 18 points, that team will also be subject to a freeze on rally scoring and must also score their last 3 points while serving.

Medalists:

To determine gold, silver and bronze medalists. The first, second and third place of each group will be awarded medals.

Medalists will be determined by the following winner hierarchy:

Win/Loss Record
Head To Head
Average Point Differential Per Match

Let Serves:

A Let Serve (a serve that touches the top of the net) that lands in the correct service box is a valid serve and will not be replayed.

A Let Serve that does not land in the correct service box will be considered a fault.

Coaching/Comments:

Coaching and comments by non-playing team members are allowed only when:

The ball is not in play;

It does not interfere with continuous play;

It does not include references to opponents, either directly or indirectly;

It does not unfairly hinder the opposing team or other matches being played concurrently.

Paddles:

Players must use a paddle brand and model that is listed on the official USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List. Penalty for violation of this rule could result in loss of game and/or match.

Referees:

Referees will not be provided. All players and teams are expected to monitor all games with good sportsmanship in mind. All disputes will be addressed on a case-by-case scenario.