🎖️ Pickleball Code of Conduct
1. Sportsmanship & Integrity
The "Benefit of the Doubt" Rule: Always give your opponent the benefit of the doubt on line calls. If you are not 100% sure a ball was out, it is in.
Self-Correction: If you realize you made a mistake (e.g., touched the net or stepped in the kitchen), call it on yourself immediately.
Winning and Losing with Grace: End every match with a paddle tap at the net and a genuine "good game." Avoid "coaching" your opponents or partners unless they explicitly ask for feedback.
Language: Refrain from using profanity, aggressive shouting, or taunting. Keep the environment family-friendly.
2. Respect for People
Inclusivity: Be welcoming to players of all backgrounds and skill levels. Avoid "gatekeeping" courts or making newer players feel like they don't belong.
Safety First: If you see an unsafe situation (a tripping hazard or a medical emergency), stop play immediately to assist.
Partner Support: Pickleball is a team sport. Encourage your partner after an error rather than showing frustration. A "positive" court is a "winning" court.
3. Respect for Facilities
Equipment Care: Do not hit the net with your paddle or lean on the net straps. This causes sagging and long-term damage to the hardware.
Footwear: Wear only non-marking, court-specific athletic shoes. Running shoes or black-soled boots can damage the acrylic surface.
Cleanliness: Pack out what you pack in. Dispose of cracked balls, hydration bottles, and grip tape in the provided trash bins.
The Golden Rule of the Court: Play the game as if you were playing against your best friend. Competition is encouraged; hostility is not.