At Shellharbour Smash, we want everyone to have a great experience when they play Pickleball. Below are some of the expectations that we have of all players at Shellharbour Smash events, please read and respect these guidelines to ensure that everyone has the best time playing.

 

 

• Treat all players, volunteers, staff, and spectators with courtesy and respect.
• Follow all instructions from the site host. Do not argue or dispute any instructions - they are there to ensure that all people on location have a good experience.
• When moving around the venue, respect any games that are in progress. Wait until between points to move around or behind active courts.
• If the venue is above capacity, play one game only, then come off or invite people who are not on a court to have a game.
• Accept games from players of all skill levels, and from different peer groups. Pickleball is social in nature, the more people you play with the more inclusive the experience. Be open to playing with people outside your friend/peer group, and taking on new partners.
• Follow the Official Rules of Pickleball, apply them fairly, and cooperate in any situation that is not expressly covered by the rules. Consult with a Host if there is a disagreement about the rules or their interpretation.

 

 

• Introduce yourself to any players you do not know.
• If you are new or still learning, let the other players know so that they can assist you.
• If you are more experienced or at a higher skill level, adapt your game so that all players can have a good game. Do not target or hit excessively to a weaker player just so you can "win". Everyone is there to have a good time, support that experience.
• Teams win and lose as a team. Do not blame or criticise your partner, instead work with them to improve how you work together. 
• Accommodate players with adaptive needs when possible.
• Ask politely before offering advice or coaching.
• Be honest and consistent with line calls. Call the lines on your side of the net, not the other side. The nearest person with visibility should make a call. If it's close, it's in. If you didn't see it, it's in. If one of you calls it out and one calls it in, it's in. Resolve any uncertainty in favor of your opponents. If you are unhappy with a call, accept the decision with good grace rather than arguing.
• Call a fault on yourself or your partner as soon as the fault occurs, regardless of whether your opponents are aware of the fault. Watch your own and your partner’s feet for service or NVZ foot faults. Observe your partner's serve and politely correct improper service actions.
• Admit if the ball hits you or your paddle on the way out of bounds.
• If a ball or any other hindrance to safety enters the court area, raise your arms and call out "ball" or "stop" immediately. Replay the point as a hinder. Do not try and play through a foreign object entering the court - this is a safety issue!
• Never use foul language or obscene gestures. Never denigrate another person.
• At the end of each game, meet the other players at the net to acknowledge a good game.