Tournament Rules & Regulation
1. General Tournament Information
Objective: To raise funds for St. John Ambulans Malaysia – Kawasan Pantai Selangor through a charitable pickleball tournament.
Team Event (Corporate & Novice)
i) Team Captain needs to submit names of players before tournament begins.
ii) Each team is allowed 3 swaps only among the players. Lines person can be swapped in as players.
iii) Players who qualify for Semifinals will be allowed another 3 swaps (total 6 swaps since the beginning of St John Pickle Cup) till Finals.
For Novice Team, kindly go to the bottom of the description look for "Novice Category Eligibility Policy"
Category Requirements
Intermediate Category - combined DUPR must be less than 7.5 at time of registration and at check in. A player would need to show their DUPR at check in for verification.
Masters Category - minimum age is 40 years old (born before 2 Aug 1985). Participants must provide a valid ID (NRIC, Driving licence or Passport) during check in.
Youth Category - Participants born after year 2007 qualifies for U18
Equipment & Officiating
a) Ball: Franklin X-40
b) Nets: All matches will be played on standard pickleball nets provided by Grand Rally
c) Officiating: Matches will be self-officiated, and referees available for disputes. For Team Events, each team needs to send in 2 lines people for every match. Finals and Semi-finals may have designated officials.
d) Yellow and Red card:
- Foot faults will be noticed by referees.
- Eye protection is compulsory for every match. Players who arrive at court without eye protection will be given a warning.
- Bad line calls by Lines person will incur a warning.
- Each warning is 1 yellow card. A player or team will be disqualified (DQ) when 3 yellow cards are accumulated.
- Referees, Tournament Director, and organizers will also have the right to impose a Red Card to players for bad behaviour. This Red Card will result in the immediate Disqualification of the team or player at fault.
e) Spirit of Play: All participants are expected to uphold the spirit of good sportsmanship, respect their opponents, partners, and tournament officials, and adhere to fair play at all times.
2. Check-in & Briefing
a) Check-in Time: All participants MUST check in at the Registration Counter on Saturday, 2nd August 2025 before their scheduled matches. Registration counters will open 90 minutes before each Category play, and will close sharp when the first match of said category starts.
b) Mandatory Briefing: A mandatory Player's Briefing will be held promptly 30 minutes before scheduled match starts for Category at the main court area. Important updates, rule clarifications, and court assignments will be provided.
Failure to attend the briefing may result in a forfeit of your first match.
c) Paddle Check
The organiser will conduct paddle checks on the event date, and paddles that pass the test will have a sticker label from the organiser to certify approved to be used during the tournament.
Kindly check list of unapproved paddles and ensure your paddles are not the ones on the unapproved list.
- Joola: Perseus 14mm Mod TA-15, Perseus 16mm Mod TA-15
- Gearbox: Pro Power Elongated
- ProKennex: Black Ace Ovation, Black Ace Pro, Black Ace LG, Black Ace XF
e) Tournament Kit: Upon successful check-in, each participant will receive their tournament kit (e.g., T-shirt, etc).
3. Match Scoring & Rules
a) Game Format:
General Matches (All Flights Except Youth 18)
- Scoring: Rally scoring (first to 21 points, win by 1).
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Side Change: Players switch sides when one reaches 11 points.
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Final Matches: Best of 3 games (first to win 2 games).
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Traditional scoring (002) – first to 11 points, must win by 2.
Youth 18 Matches
- Pairing: Players randomly draw partners on the spot (no pre-set teams).
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Format: Each pair plays 10 games (rotating opponents).
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Scoring: Rally 11 (first to 11 points, win by 1).
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Ranking: The top 5 players with the best win records earn podium awards.
b) Scoring System
Rally and Traditional scoring will be used.
c) Serving:
- Serve must be underhand, contact below the waist.
- Ball must be struck below the waist, and the highest point of the paddle head must be below the highest part of the wrist (unless using the drop serve).
- Serve must clear the non-volley zone (kitchen) and land in the diagonal service court.
- One serve attempt is allowed per player per turn (unless a let is called).
d) Two-Bounce Rule
The ball must bounce once on the receiving team's side and once on the serving team's side before either team can hit the ball out of the air (volley). After these two bounces, volleys are permitted.
e) Non-Volley Zone (The Kitchen):
- Players may not volley a ball while standing in the non-volley zone.
- A player may enter, but can only hit the ball at the non-volley zone after the ball has bounced in the zone.
- It is a fault if a player's momentum carries them into the non-volley zone after volleying a ball.
f) Faults:
A fault results in a side out (if serving) or a point for the opponent (if serving).
Common faults include:
- Hitting the ball out of bounds.
- Hitting the ball into the net.
- Volleying in the non-volley zone.
- A ball bouncing twice on one side.
- Serving illegally.
g) Calling the Score
The server MUST call the score before every serve in the format: "Serving Team's Score - Receiving Team's Score - Server Number (1 or 2)." (e.g., "5-3-1"). Failure to call the score, or calling it incorrectly, can result in a fault if challenged before the return.
4. Code of Conduct & Disqualifying Rules
All participants are expected to adhere to a high standard of sportsmanship and conduct. The Tournament has a Yellow and Red card rule, where organizers and appointed officials reserve the right to enforce these rules, including disqualification.
a) Sportsmanship: Treat all opponents, partners, officials, and volunteers with respect. Arguments, unsportsmanlike conduct, abusive language, or excessive celebration that mocks opponents will not be tolerated.
b) Line Calls: Players are responsible for calling lines on their side of the court. If a ball is "out," it must be called immediately. If there is a dispute, replay the point. Overruling your partner's "out" call when you clearly saw it "in" is required for fair play.
c) Time Violation: Teams must be ready to play on their assigned court at their scheduled match time.
- 5-Minute Grace Period: A 5-minute grace period will be given from the scheduled match time.
- After 5 Minutes: If a team is not present on court and ready to play after the 5-minute grace period, the first game may be forfeited.
- After 10 Minutes: If a team is not present after 10 minutes, the match will be forfeited entirely, resulting in a loss for the absent team.
e) Deliberate Stalling: Any deliberate action to delay a match will result in a warning, followed by a point deduction or forfeiture of the match.
f) Disqualification:
A team or player may be disqualified from the tournament for any of the following:
- Egregious unsportsmanlike conduct, including consistent arguing, verbal abuse, or physical altercations.
- Repeated and intentional violations of the rules after warnings.
- Tampering with equipment or the playing area.
- Failure to adhere to the tournament schedule and repeated delays.
- Any act deemed by the Tournament Director to be detrimental to the spirit of the event or the safety of participants.
- No Refund will be issued to disqualified participants.
5. Change of Partner Policy
a) Before Registration Deadline: Partner changes are permitted without penalty before 8am 19 July 2025. All changes must be communicated in writing to the Tournament Organizers via [email protected].
b) After Registration Deadline but Before Check-in: A partner change may be allowed in extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical emergency, unforeseen travel) at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director. A written request with justification must be submitted immediately. A small administrative fee of RM 20.00 may apply. No changes will be allowed if the new partner significantly alters the team's skill rating.
c) After Check-in: NO partner changes are permitted after check-in. The team must play with the registered partners. If a partner is unable to play, the team will forfeit their matches.
6. Refund Policy
a) Withdrawal Before 1 July 2025: Full refund will be issued for withdrawals communicated in writing via email to [email protected] before 1 July 2025)
b) Withdrawal After 1 July 2025 / No-Show / Disqualification: NO REFUND will be issued for withdrawals, no-shows, or disqualifications during the tournament.
c) Tournament Cancellation by Organizer: In the unlikely event that the tournament is cancelled by St. John Ambulans Malaysia – Kawasan Pantai Selangor due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., venue issues, natural disaster), participants will receive a full refund of their entry fees.
7. Medical & Safety
a) First Aid: St. John Ambulans Malaysia – Kawasan Pantai Selangor will have qualified first aid personnel on-site throughout the tournament. Please report any injuries immediately.
b) Hydration: Participants are responsible for their own hydration. Water stations will be available.
c) Footwear: Only appropriate athletic indoor court shoes are allowed on the courts.
d) Personal Belongings: Participants are responsible for their own belongings. The organizers will not be liable for any loss or damage.
e) Insurances: Only Available for Malaysian Participants between age of 18 to 55 years old will be provided with complimentary AIA Lifestyle Sports Insurance Coverage arranged through Dlife Agency and underwritten by AIA Bhd . (Term & Condition Apply)
8. Prizes Pool
Team Event - Corporate
- Champion: RM3,000
- 1st Runner-up: RM2,000
- 2nd Runner-up: RM1,000
Team Event - Novice
- Champion: RM2,000
- 1st Runner-up: RM1,000
- 2nd Runner-up: RM500
Master & Intermediate (MD, WD, XD)
- Champion: RM1,000
- 1st Runner-up: RM500
- 2nd Runner-up: RM300
Youth (Under 18)
Top 5 with pickleball gear (Paddles, bag)
Prize values are subject to change if the registration falls below 50% of the intended capacity for a category.
9. Final Authority
a) The Tournament Director and designated officials have the final authority on all rules, disputes, and decisions during the tournament. Their decisions are final and binding.
10. Permission
a) By participating in the tournament, all attendees grant the organizers explicit permission to capture and use photographs or footage of the event. Participants may not object to such photography, and acknowledge that their personal information may be shared with third parties for promotional or operational purposes.
Novice Category Eligibility Policy
DUPR Rating Rules
1. If You Do Not Have a DUPR Account at Registration:
- No DUPR submission is required.
2. If You Create a DUPR Account After Registration:
- You must ensure your rating does NOT exceed 3.0 by the tournament date.
- If it goes above 3.0, you may be ineligible for the Novice division.
3. If You Have a DUPR Account at Registration:
- Must submit your DUPR Rating.
- Rating must be below 3.0 at the time of registration.
- Violation Penalty: Disqualification with no refund, even if discovered after medals are awarded.
4. Coach Approval:
- The tournament organiser provides a list of recommended coaches.
- Novice players may use any coach certified by an international pickleball organisation (e.g., IPF, PPA, PPR).
- Coaches must present valid certification upon request.
5. Verification & Enforcement:
- The Tournament Committee reserves the right to verify DUPR accounts and ratings for compliance.
- Final eligibility decisions rest with the tournament organisers.
