Pickleball Rules & Regulations
1. Pickleball courts are open from 8:00 AM until 9:00 PM or dusk, whichever comes first. Court use will be on a first come first served basis unless otherwise designated by the Racquets Director for a special program, activity or event. All players must sign a waiver prior to play.
2. Weekday morning Pickleball court use will be scheduled according to playing level. To access the Pickleball schedule on the Venetian River Club website, select the Tennis/Pickleball tab, select Pickleball, then select Pickleball schedule.
Weekdays after 12:00 PM, and on Saturday and Sunday, there will be open play. Open play means that all players, of any skill level, are invited to play on the courts.
3. Player and Court Rotation - the following player rotations must be used depending on how many players are waiting to play.
Two Up/Two Down - This is played when eight or fewer players are waiting to play. The paddles of the players waiting to play must be lined up in the paddle holder. Once the game is completed, the players who won stay on the court but are separated. The players who lost go back to the bench.
The next two players will be taken from the bench, and these players will join the new game. If a player has already played for two consecutive games on the court, then the player is required to go back to the bench. The players vacating the court should put their paddles to the right of those waiting to play.
Four Up/Four Down - This is applicable when more than eight players are waiting to play. After the game, all four players must leave the court and go back to the bench. The next four players on the bench will create a new game together.
The players waiting for their chance to play must line up their paddles, with paddles going from left to right. As new players arrive, they must put their paddles to the right of the other paddles.
Singles play will only be permitted when there are no other players waiting to rotate in.
In the event play on a court is not a USA Pickleball regulation game, and players are waiting to rotate in, play on that court will be time limited to 30 minutes.
4. Pickleball play at the Venetian is governed by USA Pickleball rules. To access a summary of the USA Pickleball rules on the Venetian River Club website, select the Tennis/Pickleball tab, select Pickleball, then select USA Pickleball Rules Summary. A copy of the complete rule book will be kept in the Racquets pro shop. To access the complete rule book online, go to www.usapickleball.org and select official rules.
5. Use of wooden paddles is prohibited. Only USA Pickleball approved paddles may be used. Players are responsible for confirming that the paddle they are using is listed as a “Pass” on the USA Pickleball approved list. The USA Pickleball approved list can be accessed at
www.equipment.usapickleball.org.
6. Proper Pickleball attire, including appropriate non-marking pickleball or tennis shoes must be worn at all times. No open toe shoes, sandals, golf shoes, or swimsuits are permitted.
7. Proper Pickleball etiquette should be observed at all times. Excessive noise and profanity, paddle throwing, or crossing another player's court will not be permitted at any time. No food or beverages other than water or energy foods and beverages are permitted on the pickleball courts. Player’s bags and belongings should remain outside the playing area.
The Pickleball courts are only for Pickleball play. No bicycles, skateboards, inline/roller skates, baseball, softball, hockey or other sports are permitted.
The Pickleball Facility is a non smoking and non vaping area.
8. Use of the Pickleball courts and facilities shall, at all times, be subject to the control of River Club Management who shall determine the suitability of the pickleball courts for play. Courts will be closed when necessary for maintenance operations or when dictated by safety considerations or by reason of adverse weather conditions.
9. No guests other than household guests will be permitted to use the Pickleball courts. The names of all household guests must be submitted to the Racquets Staff
([email protected]) by the resident host prior to play. All household guests must sign a waiver.
10. Residents or houseguests under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Parents or a designated responsible adult surrogate of those under 18 years of age must sign a waiver on their behalf prior to play.
11. Pets of any kind, with the exception of legally authorized animals, are not permitted in the River Club Pickleball Facilities. Where dogs are permitted on the River Club Property, they must be kept on a leash at all times. (Nature walk is not part of River Club Property)
12. Violations of the Pickleball Rules will result in the following:
1. First violation - a verbal warning from River Club Management.
2. Second violation - suspension of Pickleball playing privileges for one week.
3. Third and subsequent violations - suspension of Pickleball playing privileges for two weeks.
These penalties may be superseded by Venetian River Club Management.