If we have odd numbers, we will play Going Gone
Please give as much notice as you can if you sign up but can't attend.
Be sure that you are at 3.5 skill level so that you do not slow down others.
3.7 Skill level Also possesses all 3.0 Skills
- Demonstrates strategies of playing during games
- Actively works with partners in communicating, covering court, moving to net
- With varying consistency executes: forehand/backhand ground strokes, overheads, net volleys, and sustained dinking
- Specifically places shots rather than just hitting shots anywhere
- Selective mixing up soft shots with power shots to create an advantage
- Is able to hit at least 50% of drop shots successfully.
- Is able to hit at least 80% of serves “in”.
- Is able to hit at least 80% of forehand returns.
- Is able to hit at least 80% of backhand returns.
- Is able to hit at least 80% of forehand volleys.
- Is able to hit at least 80% of backhand volleys.
Randy's Going Gone Rules for 5 or 6 players on a court
Rule1 Net Shots
A player that hits into the net is "bumped". That means they come off the court and are replaced by the 5th player waiting on the sidelines. The waiting player takes their position and play continues in sequence. When the next player makes an error, they get replaced by whoever is waiting. With 6 players, two teams of 3 stay together but with 5, the players would have to keep their own scores because they would be on both sides during the game. A new player comes in on almost every point except on "Winners", that are not the result of an "AB". That will be explained in Rule 2.
Rule 2 Attackable Balls "ABs" or "Ducks"
This applies to when a player hits a ball that results in a winning shot by the opponents. When a player hits an AB, they know it, and so does the other 4 or 5 players. By their own good sportsmanship, and to keep the game moving, that they voluntarily bump themselves. No other player can tell them to bump, it is only on their own judgement. It can be a subjective call, and most players will know they "set up" the "Winner" for their opponents. Should they not bump, it would merely delay the sideline player for one point. If a player does hit an AB, and the other team fails to win the next shot, they do not have to bump out.
Rule 3 Playing the Outball
In Pickleball, it is hard to hit outballs, but this rule allows you to hit one if you choose to. This could change the outcome of the point, but because we are just recreational players and it is a 5 or 6 player unconventional game anyway, this could sustain a rally. The philosophy is, "Why stop a perfectly good rally, over a 1 inch outball? Wouldn't it be more fun to keep playing knowing that it's better to have longer rallies than have a perfect score?
The person who helps the other team by hitting the outball is immune to being bumped no matter if their shot is good or bad. But it has to be called OUT right away by them or their partner. The person who hit the original outball is bumped, unless the outball is returned successfully as an unattackable ball, thus sustaining the rally.
Fun stops when the ball stops!
