PAB National Championships 2025

2025 OFFICIAL PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION OF BERMUDA FORMAT & RULES

INTRODUCTION
Given Bermuda’s current limitation of courts, the PAB has structured tournament play to maximize participation while operating within time and court availability constraints. This format emphasizes rewarding strong round robin performance with enhanced competition opportunities in the medal rounds.

TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE
Division Organization
• Divisions with fewer than 6 players/teams will compete in a single pool round robin.
• Divisions of 6 or more will be split into multiple pools, each containing no more than 5 teams.
• Pool seeding based on reliable DUPR ratings (>=60%) or committee discretion where reliable DUPRs unavailable

Pool/Round Robin Phase
• All teams will play round robin matches against every other team in their pool.
• Match Format: Regular scoring games to 11 points, win by 1 point.
• Side change occurs at 6 points.
• Timeouts: One 1-minute timeout per team per match.
Pool Tiebreaking Procedures
In case of a tie in pool standings, the following tiebreakers will be applied in order:
1. Win/loss record
2. Head-to-head results
3. Point differential (points scored minus points allowed) in all matches

Medal Round Qualification
For divisions with 3 or fewer teams: Only a final match will be played.
For divisions with 4 or 5 teams in a single pool: Tournament Director will determine advancement structure based on total entries, to be announced before play begins.
For divisions with two pools: Top 2 teams from each pool advance to medal rounds.
For divisions with three or more pools: Tournament Director will determine advancement structure based on total entries, to be announced before play begins.

Medal Round Format
All medal round matches will be played as best 2 out of 3 regular scoring games to 11 points, win by 2 points.
Side changes occur at the end of first two games and at 6 points in the third game.
Timeouts: One 1-minute timeout per team per game.
Finals: Winners of semi-finals play for Gold/Silver; losers of semi-finals play for Bronze.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Courts 5-8 Hindrance Rules
Courts 5-8 have special hindrance rules due to the proximity of their walls/fences:
• If a player's paddle touches the wall or fence during their backswing ONLY, they may call an obstruction.
• The hindrance must be called immediately at the time it occurs.
• If a valid hindrance is called, the point shall be replayed.
• Contact with the wall/fence during the forward swing or follow-through does NOT constitute a hindrance.
• This rule adapts USA Pickleball Rule 7.N on hindrances, which states: "A hindrance may result in the replay of a rally. If possible, all players should stop play when a hindrance occurs."

Time Management
• Teams must be ready to play when their match is called.
• 5-minute grace period, after which the match may be forfeited.
• 5-minute maximum warm-up time for first match of the day only. For all subsequent matches, players are expected to remain warm during breaks and begin play immediately upon taking the court.
• 2-minute maximum time between games in a medal round match;

Additional Provisions
• The Tournament Director reserves the right to modify the format based on actual entries, time constraints, or unforeseen circumstances.
• Weather delays: In case of shortened play, the Tournament Director may adjust the format to complete the tournament.
• All players must check in at the tournament desk at least 15 minutes before their first scheduled match..

Participation requires a DUPR profile. Results will be submitted by tournament officials. We can assist you if you do not have one.

Each day’s schedule of play will be circulated to participants by email and posted on the Pickleball Association of Bermuda website http://www.pabermuda.com. Results will be circulated in the same manner.

All players must check in at the Tournament Desk (courtside) dressed, equipped and ready to play at least 15 minutes before event time.

During the tournament call Sarah Fox on 747-7384 or Gavin Manders on 591-4131 with any questions or emergencies.

The Tournament Referee is empowered to take whatever measures deemed necessary in the interest of the Tournament, including defaulting competitors without the Committee, Club, Sponsor or Referee being in any way liable. Roving Umpires may be used throughout the Tournament.

Players will be expected to play in acceptable attire. Any player who appears on court dressed in a manner deemed inappropriate by the Referee will be liable for default.

Code of Conduct - The Committee will not tolerate BAD MANNERS, PADDLE THROWING, BAD LANGUAGE, CHEATING, or POOR SPORTSMANSHIP! Any tournament official has the right to warn any player should he/she not conform to the required standards; and after such a warning, default the player should he/she commit a second offence.

PRIVACY NOTICE

When you register for the tournament, we may collect the following information from you: first name, last name, date of birth, gender, email address, phone number, payment information, partner name. We use this information to provide you with tournament services.

Communications
If you communicate or correspond with us by email, via telephone or through other forms of communication, we may collect the information you provide as part of those communications. For example, if you correspond with us through email, we may collect and store the email address you use to send the applicable correspondence and use it to respond to your inquiry; or to keep a record of your complaint, accommodation request, and similar purposes.

Sharing Your Information
We may share your personal data with the following parties:
To vendors or third parties who deliver or provide services, or otherwise act on our behalf or at our direction;
To our volunteers and board members to provide our services;
When we believe it is necessary to cooperate with law enforcement or in response to a government request, including if specifically requested or required, as otherwise permitted by law.

Data Retention
For any personal data we collect, we will retain the personal data for as long as is needed for the purposes of planning, running, and closing out the tournament, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law (such as legal, accounting, or other purposes). When we have no justifiable business need to process your personal data, we will delete it.

Information Security
We use reasonable measures to safeguard your personal data under our control. We cannot guarantee, however, that your information will remain secure. The Internet is by its nature a public forum, and we encourage you to use caution when disclosing information online. Often, you are in the best situation to protect yourself online.

Contact Information
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Notice or how we process your personal data, please email Pickleball Association of Bermuda at [email protected]