Club vs Club Overview
How does the league work?
First Coast Pickle offers three Club V. Club divisions:
Mixed Doubles
Women's Doubles
Men's Doubles
Within each division, there are three flights based on player rating:
3.0 & below
3.5
4.0 & above
Each league is played within a three-month season and typically one match is played each week, with some weeks being bye weeks. To view our season calendar, click here.
Each team belongs to a home facility. A home facility can be considered any country club or park that has dedicated pickleball courts which can be reserved during the allocated match time. Each week, a team will play either a home match at their own facility or an away match at another team’s facility.
At the end of the season, the team with the most points earned will win their flight.
Who can participate in the league?
Anybody who belongs to a facility with dedicated pickleball courts which can be reserved during the allocated match time is eligible to form a team.
For the requirements of a team, click here.
When do matches take place?
Each division/flight will have an allocated day in which the matches will take place each week.
In the case of a rain check, captains can agree on a day to reschedule the match to.
Where do matches take place?
Matches will be played at a team’s home facility on dedicated pickleball courts that have been reserved by the home team in advance.
Our leagues will be divided by region to minimize travel time for away matches.
What is the match format?
Each match will have 3 lines (courts) of doubles play. All three lines must play at the same time together per week.
A match consists of 3 games to 12 points (win by 2 points). Even if one team wins the first two games, play all three games.
After each game, players will switch sides. If a third game is played, spin a paddle to determine the side. In the third game of a regular match, switch sides after 8 points.
A match is won by the team which wins 2 out of 3 matches.
How to Register
Registration Requirements
For a facility to be eligible to host a team in a First Coast Pickle Club V. Club league, they must have dedicated pickleball courts that are able to be reserved during the allocated match time.
Teams must have a minimum number of players in order to play three lines at each match.
How to Register a Team as a Captain
Before players are able to join your team, you must first register your team.
To register a team, please visit this link.
Upon receiving your form submission, we will confirm via email that your team has been created within our league management software, Pickleballscore.com, and we will send you instructions on how your team’s members can register online.
All players must be registered via Pickleballscores.com to play in a First Coast Pickle Club V. Club match.
How to Register as a Player
For a detailed walkthrough of how to register as a player, click here.
For the link to register as a player, click here.
How to Determine Your Level
When you register for the first time, we ask that you self-evaluate your level or use your level from another pickleball league.
An annual review of team and individual results is done at the end of each season. Our software will provide the data necessary to review if a team/individual player may need to move up or down. The Pickleball Leagues of Florida have the right to move teams or individuals up or down as best needed for the league/division.
Playing Your First Match
How to Coordinate the Match
Each flight will have a dedicated day per week in which matches must take place, which will be decided prior to the start of the season.
As a home team captain, we recommend contacting the opposing team’s captain ahead of time and to notify them of the following:
Your facility’s address
Any facility-specific information they may need to know in advance, such as dress code requirements
If you are unable to fill all positions
As an away team captain, please also notify the opposing captain if you are unable to fill all positions.
How to Create a Roster Before a Match
Prior to your match, you should create a roster within Pickleballscores.com with all the players who have confirmed they will be available for that match.
When creating your roster, each line’s combined rating should not exceed the level at which you are playing. For example, in the 6.0 Division, two 3.0 level players could play together, but a 3.5 level player cannot play with a 3.0 level player. Instead, a 3.5 level player must play with a 2.5 level player.
For a more detailed breakdown on how to ensure player availability and develop a roster within Pickleballscores.com, please refer to our Captain’s Guide here.
How to Play & Score the Match
Each match will have 3 lines (courts) of doubles play.
A match consists of 3 games to 12 points (win by 2 points). Even if one team wins the first two games, play all three games.
After each game, players will switch sides. If a third game is played, spin a paddle to determine the side. In the third game of a regular match, switch sides after 8 points.
A match is won by the team which wins 2 out of 3 matches.
How to Report the Match Results
After the match is complete, the captain of the winning team will report the score to Pickleballscores.com.
For a more detailed overview on how to report a score, please refer to our Captain’s Guide here.
Important Match Rules
Weather
Official rain out is one hour after the original match start time unless BOTH captains agree to declare it sooner. Players/teams must be available to play in case of a rain delay. Matches can be called or delayed with the assistance of the pro on property, or if BOTH captains agree.
If a match is stopped and resumed on the same day, the original line must be used. If play is resumed on the same day, at a rescheduled time, match play will resume with the same players and play will begin at the score when the match had to be stopped.
If a match was stopped and started on a different day, a new lineup may be presented for any match that HASN’T started. For all matches that were halted due to weather, the original lineup must be present and the start of the match will resume at the exact point, game, and serve location that was recorded by the captains at the halt of the original match.
Both captains should mutually agree upon a time to reschedule a rain-delayed match. Every attempt should be made to complete the match either on the next “rain date” or if that is unavailable, each match will be rescheduled based on the “individual” team’s schedules.
Matches that are rained out or canceled due to inclement weather will not be made up and will not have any relevance in the standings.
Defaults
Match default time is 15 minutes after the scheduled time, provided courts are available. Please use discretion when calling for a default. If the opponent is late for just cause, please try to be understanding and play the match.
In the event of a default, the scoring of the defaulted match is 12-0, 12-0.
In the case of retirement (unable to finish a match), the non-retiring team will be created with 12 points, the retiring team will keep whatever points they won and will be reflected in the reporting of the score.
All teams must play all scheduled matches. The League Coordinator should be consulted before a team defaults their entire match (all positions). Any team deliberately forfeiting an entire team match is subject to disqualification. All matches should be played before the last match of the regular season.
Stacking
Each team must play their doubles teams in order of strength. If a team does not play in order of strength and another team files a grievance with First Coast Pickle. Our team will review the dispute and penalize if necessary.
Insufficient Players
If a team can’t field the required number of players, default the bottom position. Notify the opposing captain if you are unable to fill all positions. Having insufficient players is not a valid reason to reschedule a match.
Coaching and Court Conduct
No coaching is allowed at any time during the match (even at time-outs) by captains, spectators, teammates or professionals. Profanity of any kind is against the rules and subject to penalties. All electronic devices and wearable technology capable of sending or receiving messages must be turned off, there can be exceptions to this rule for proper reasons and adequate explanation. Both captains must be notified of this exception. Line calls or disputes during a match can only be resolved by players participating in that match. General supervision of all aspects of play belongs to the facility and their professional staff.
Ball Requirements
The only requirement is that new balls are used prior to each match.
Facility, Team & Captain Requirements
Facility Requirements
For a facility to be eligible to host teams in a First Coast Pickle Club V. Club League, they must have dedicated pickleball courts that are able to be reserved during the allocated match time.
Team Requirements
All team members must be registered within Pickleballscores.com and be active members of the facility that is hosting their team.
Teams must have a minimum number of players in order to play three lines at each match.
Captain Requirements
The captain is responsible for coordinating with their facility, recruiting players for their team, and managing all aspects of their team. Additionally, the captain is responsible for communicating with other captains and reporting scores.
Additional Information
Privacy Notice
The contact information for Pickleball Leagues of Florida participants included in our software platform(s) is considered confidential and is exclusively for use by Pickleball Leagues of Florida coordinator(s) and for contact between and among league participants. The information in this site should not be used for business, commercial, political, or any other non-Pickleball Leagues of Florida purposes and it should not be disclosed or published to anyone outside of Pickleball Leagues of Florida.
Liability Waiver
Acceptance of my entry in the Pickleball Leagues of Florida is without assumption of responsibility of any kind by this organization, the host club, committees or the management and offices of Pickleball Leagues of Florida, in which I may be entered or may participate. In consideration of the acceptance of my entry, I do hereby for an on behold of the myself and my heirs and legal representatives and their successors and assigns, of and from any and all claims and demands of every kind, nature, and character which I may have or may hereafter acquire for any and all damages, losses or injuries which may be suffered or sustained by me in connection with my activities during the period for which such permission is waived and released and I covenant no to sure therefore. I understand that this league(s) applicable organization rules and regulations, the rules and regulations of this league(s), the rules and procedure governing discipline of players in Pickleball Leagues of Florida sanctioned league(s), and ranking regulations, and agree to conduct myself accordingly.
