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Round Robin and Ladder Play Guidelines |
The Prescott Pickleball Association (PPA) sponsors numerous competitive events, ranging from social through highly competitive. Some are ad hoc and others occur on a repeating schedule. The majority are formatted for Round Robin play but ladder-style, team league, and other formats may also be used. The most structured are the weekly Round Robins (RR) and Ladder Play (LP) for PPA members interested in serious competitive play and tournament preparation. There are eight levels (and nine events) available: 1.5/2.0, 2.5, 2.5+, 3.0 (2), 3.0+, 3.5, 3.5+, and 3.5+ and up. Current weekly schedule is:
1.5/2.0 Wednesday – advanced beginner 1.5/2.0 RR
2.5 Wednesday – novice 2.0/2.5 RR
2.5+ Tuesday – advanced novice 2.5+ RR
3.0 Friday – intermediate 3.0 RR
3.0+ Monday – advanced intermediate 3.0+ RR
3.0 Wednesday – intermediate 3.0/3.5 LP
3.5 Thursday – competitive 3.5 RR
3.5+ Tuesday – more advanced competitive 3.5+ RR
3.5+ & up Tuesday – highest level competition 3.5+ & up RR
See the PPA website, prescottpickleball.org, for current information on all events as well as up-to-date information on day-of-week, time of play, and contact information for each RR and LP event.
The remainder of this document will address guidelines and information regarding the repeating RR events.
2. LEVEL OF PLAYAll levels and all players should have a rating supported by the IFP (International Federation of Pickleball) self-assessment. IFP Rating Definitions (https://www.ifpickleball.org/sjukk-rating-definitions) are used as a guide for ALL skill level assessments.
Players New to the PPA RR:
A rating from IFP-sanctioned tournament play is the preferred method to determine level of RR participation. In the absence of this information, the following guidelines may be used:
- a. Individual rating by a credentialed evaluator such as IPTPA (International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association), or
- b. Individual rating by a PPA evaluation, instructor, or RR Captain
- c. A trial of 2-4 weeks may be conducted at the ‘best guess’ RR level with movement higher or lower as scoring average and Captain’s assessment suggests.
PPA self-rating, i.e., the skill level listed in player’s profile, must match the level of RR play.
3. Description of RR levelsPPA Round Robin Skill Levels 1.5/2.0/2.5: These levels of PPA RR play are designed to encourage new players to become more serious about the sport and to develop a sense of competition. They serve as a bridge between social play and tournament-level play.
PPA Round Robin Skill Levels 3.0/3.0+: PPA 3.0 RR play is designed to simulate competitive or tournament level play in a safe structured CLUB environment. This is NOT social play, so expect competing teams/players to develop a court strategy designed to maximize their strengths. The 3.0 RR (intermediate) will include players from the 2.5 undergoing a trial evaluation for promotion (see below). The 3.0+ RR (advanced intermediate) will include players working towards promotion to 3.5.
PPA Round Robin Skill Levels 3.5/3.5+: PPA RR for Skill Level 3.5 provides a competitive tournament level of play for experienced players. The 3.5 RR (competitive) will include players from the 3.0 undergoing a trial evaluation for promotion (see below). The 3.5+ RR (advanced competitive) will include players working towards 4.0 (and up) level of play.
Please use the IFP Rating Definitions (https://www.ifpickleball.org/sjukk-rating-definitions) as a guide for ALL skill level assessments.
4. Movement within the PPA RRs:
Requirements and guidelines are designed to be more stringent and objective as a player moves up to the higher levels of play. Additionally, players with injury rehabilitation may elect to play at a lower level and will self-determine when to move up. Current RR Captain should inform other RR Captain of this movement in player level.
Promotions and Demotions for 1.5/2.0/2.5/2,5+ Round Robins
RR Captains should maintain scores and player averages from each week of RR play. This information provides the primary indication that a player is ready for a trial promotion or would be better served at a lower level of competition. Additionally, the RR Captain may discuss with an individual player any necessary areas of improvement. Guidelines for use of players averages are given below.
Promotions and Demotions for 3.0/3.0+/3.5/3.5+ Round Robins
- RR Captains will maintain scores and player averages from each week of RR play. This information provides the criteria that a player is ready for a trial promotion or would be better served at a lower level of competition. Captains shall evaluate averages no less than every 4-5 weeks. Averages are generally based on a minimum of 15 games played within a rolling 8-week period. At the Captain’s discretion, the 8-week period may be extended to a maximum of 12 weeks in order to obtain the minimum of 15 games to make a valid average. These players are then ranked from highest to lowest with the top 1-3 being referred to the next higher RR for a trial.
- Generally, the top 1-3 players should be promoted within each evaluation period.
- Players with an average score >10 points should be promoted.
- Players with an average score of ≥9.0 points may be considered.
- Players with an average score of <6.0 points should be moved down to the next lowest RR level.
Trials for 3.0/3.0+/3.5 Rated Round Robins
Player averages, as defined above, are also used to determine if trial promotion to a higher-level RR should be made permanent. Criteria for movement:
- If the player has an average score of ≥7.0 points after the 3-week trial period, they are a permanent member of the new level
- If the player has an average score of 6.5 – 6.9 points within the initial 3-week trial, the trial will be extended for two more weeks of play. Requirement of an average of ≥7.0 points now applies.
- The player has an average score of <6.5 points within the initial 3-week trial, they will return to their previous RR and must wait at least 2 months before being reconsidered for higher RR play
Approximately once a month, and generally the last week of the month, each RR shall finish with a Championship match. Using total scores from that day’s play (with consideration for any bye’s) the first and fourth highest will compete as a team against the second and third. Total wins may be used as a tiebreaker and/or a random drawing may be used. Results of these matches will be posted in the News section of the PPA website. The Championship Game will be scored on a 15-point, win by 2 basis.
5. Grid sheetsThe Excel file labeled “Grid Sheets” contains player assignments for 12 – 18 players, using 3-4 courts, and playing a maximum of six games. A Round Robin Captain has the discretion to modify as appropriate for their group play, e.g., a seventh round of games may be added so that byes may also complete a minimum of six games.
The Excel file labeled “Score Sheets” contains a record form for regular play and one for use during Championship week.
7.Excel Document
The Excel file labeled “Averages” is used to enter each player’s individual game results. Scoring average can then be determined using criteria such ‘past 8 weeks’, ‘minimum of 15 games played’, etc.