New Member Orientation
1. Welcome/Introduction
Welcome to the Pembroke Pickleball Club (PPC) and the addictive game of pickleball, North America’s fastest growing sport for three years in a row. Being a member of PPC offers you a sense of belonging, and an opportunity to gain new skills. You will find the regular exercise can help keep you fit, while you meet and have loads of fun with new friends.
Your membership team of the PPC has put together an orientation package to help answer questions you may have about playing pickleball with the PPC. This package is meant to help you find your way around the courts, game safety, playing etiquette and our Code of Conduct.
This package is intended as an overview not a comprehensive document. Additional information can be found on our website: www.pembrokepickleball.com
Aside from the occasional email from the club, we will also have regular announcements on our website noticeboard.
2. Orientation/Beginner Sessions
PPC offers orientation/beginner sessions to help get you started so you can quickly familiarize yourself with the game, the club and its venues. Speak with one of the club contacts to assist you in signing up for one of these sessions.
3. Venues
PPC is fortunate to have an indoor venue and outdoor courts.
Outdoor Play: We currently have 3 courts at Kinsman Park in Pembroke. The outdoor season usually starts in early May and continues until late October depending on weather.
Indoor Play: We currently have 2 modified courts at the Pembroke Pentecostal Tabernacle Church. Sessions at this venue run year round.
4. Scheduling
All pickleball sessions at PPC are considered recreational open play. Members are grouped into play levels. Pickleball open play is a scheduled block of time that members can sign up to.
There are sessions organized so you play with players of similar skill levels. We currently use PlayTime Scheduler as the scheduling tool. It is very simple to use and the beginner session leader can give you information on it as part of your orientation.
5. Safety
Safety is a main priority of the PPC. We all want to play safely, not only for ourselves but for our peers on the courts. PPC has put together information to encourage a safe play environment and ensure reduced risk of accidents and injury.
On outdoor courts be aware that wet courts are slippery and players are susceptible to falls. Therefore prior to play, wet areas or areas with standing water should be swept to help dry the court surface. Do not play on wet or icy court surfaces.
Always ensure that at least one player in your session has a cell phone with them. Also let a friend or family member know where you will be playing.
When playing in outdoor sessions, sunscreen, hats, UV ray protection sunglasses and SUV clothing are recommended to protect your skin from sun damage. Always be sure to bring your favorite hydration beverage (Water, sports drink etc) and hydrate regularly.
Safety glasses are recommended during play. PPC strongly recommends their use.
Warming up and cooling down exercises are encouraged and can help to avoid on court injuries.
NEVER RUN BACKWARDS! This is a common source of serious injury. If the ball is overhead and going behind you turn and run forward or sideways to the ball.
DO NOT run into other active courts when playing or chasing your ball. When a ball is hit into another court, call out BALL ON COURT or Ball IN and play should be stopped.
If someone falls on the court, all play should stop until their needs are addressed.
Player, spectators and those entering/exiting the gym/court area should be mindful of players running after deep or stray shots – everyone needs to keep their heads up
It is important to wear proper footwear. Court shoes are recommended. Court shoes are different from running shoes that are designed for moving in a forward direction. Court shoes are designed for multi-lateral movement. Also indoor court shoes and outdoor court shoes have very different soles to adhere to the appropriate surfaces. Wearing Indoor court shoes for outdoor play may lead to the sole prematurely wearing out as they are not made for the grinding of our outdoor court surfaces.
At our indoor venue we have an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). We have several trained members on AED and our goal is that at least one trained member is present during the various sessions.
6. Code of Conduct: Members
- Demonstrate respect for every person regardless of physical characteristics, athletic ability, age, ancestry, colour, race, ethnic origin, creed, disability, family, economic, or marital status, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.
- Focus comments or criticisms appropriately and avoid public criticism of members, organizers, volunteers or coaches and officials.
- Consistently demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship, sport leadership, and ethical conduct
- Act when appropriate to correct or prevent practices that are unjust, discriminatory.
- Consistently treat individuals fairly and reasonably.
- Adhere to the rules of Pickleball and the spirit of those rules.
- Verbally or physically abusing opponents, other club members.
- Any form of harassment, including sexual harassment.
- The use of profane, insulting, or otherwise offensive language.
- The use of power or authority in an attempt to coerce another person.
- Consuming alcohol,tobacco or recreational drugs while participating in activities authorized by the PPC.
- Respect the property of others.
7. Playing Etiquette
- Be courteous, respectful and HAVE FUN!
- At the beginning of the game introduce yourself if you are not familiar with your partner or opponents.
- Call faults yourself if you or your partner land in the kitchen on a volley, be cautious about calling faults on your opponents, let them call their own faults.
- Play with weaker players, they will be thrilled to have the experience.
- When playing a stronger opponent whose partner is a weaker opponent, hit it to the stronger opponent as well. Don’t just play to the weaker player. It will make you a better player plus keep the game interesting.
- Do not slam directly at weaker opponents.
- PPC play is rotational, get to understand the process, be fair and share the fun.
- Unsolicited coaching is not to be done, if someone asks for your input , do so briefly being mindful of the flow of the game.
- When a ball is out of bounds call “OUT” loudly, as well as using hand signals.
- You must call the score so your opponent can hear before serving the ball.
- The server must wait for the receiver to be ready before serving.
- You do line calls on your side of the net and NOT the other side.
- You may ask the opponent to help with a call and then their decision is final.
- If you did not see where a ball bounced – in or out on your side of the net – it is IN.
- At the end of the game think of something positive to say to the opponents while tapping paddles at the net, never leave a game without acknowledging the other team.
- At the end of rally or point, use care to return the ball to both opponents or partner – the game moves faster and easier if you are not chasing the ball in corners or digging it out of the net.
- When time has expired on the session you are playing, leave the court immediately even if you are in the middle of a game. The next group of players are eager to start their session as per the time noted on the schedule.
- If in doubt about a pickleball rule or there is a disagreement during play find a simple, quick resolve with your opponents. Look the rule up later in the current year’s official rulebook; share the information you have learned.
Conclusion
As with any club it takes some time to get used to the processes. We hope this orientation package smooths out the bumps and helps you quickly become comfortable with our venues, the processes and the members. We sincerely hope that we see you out playing regularly and most importantly, feel a sense of belonging to your club!
If you have further question or concerns please email PPC at:
pembrokepickleball@gmail.com