- Hi, I'm Rusty from Pickleball Channel.
- And I'm Christine,
the managing director of competition for the USAPA.
- And in this special video,
Pickleball Channel and the USAPA
are collaborating to bring you a referee quick start video.
We really wanna try to demystify the process
and get you started reffing.
(upbeat music)
- Refereeing can be fun, easy
and can help improve your game.
- Now, we're gonna to try keep this simple
which means we're gonna skip a lot of details.
It also means we assume you already have a working knowledge
of the game and the rules.
So, we're not gonna go into those.
It really is a quick start video.
We wanna give you just enough
to get you out and get started reffing.
- [Christine] For additional information,
you can go online to usapa.org/referee
where you will find all kinds of resources
like a referee handbook, guides, the complete rules,
a rules quiz, and information about
a full referee certification program.
- Now after watching this video,
you probably won't be ready
to ref a full championship match at nationals,
but you should be ready to get out there
and start practicing during ref play.
- And, eventually, after a bit of practice,
you'll be able to referee at sanction tournaments
across the country.
- Now, refereeing really is a crucial part
of the whole sport of Pickleball.
So we really appreciate you guys
taking time to watch this video,
learn and grow Pickleball around the world.
So, let's get started.
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- During an officiated match,
the referee should focus on certain responsibilities.
- [Christine] The key elements to focus on are:
keep and announce the correct score,
watch for foot faults,
track the correct server and receiver and the positions,
and manage the game,
and keep it moving efficiently
in a fair and professional way.
- Now we're gonna talk about the tools
that you need to be a referee.
Now, Mark here is gonna help us out as our model ref.
- [Christine] You're gonna need a small clipboard,
a score sheet and a pencil.
A downloadable score sheet
is available on usapa.org/referee.
- Then you'll need a clip.
It can be something like a simple clothespin like this.
It'll need to be marked with a number one
and a forward slash on one side
and a number two and a backward slash on the other side.
Number one, forward slash, number two, backward slash.
- You may also find a stopwatch helpful
to keep track of time requirements during the match.
The last two items you're gonna need
are two starting or even server wristbands.
These are invaluable tools
for helping to keep track of the correct server, receiver,
and their positions on the court.
They could be these red, white and blue wristbands
that we used at nationals
or they could be the simple colored ones
that they use at many tournaments across the country.
- In our next chapter,
we're gonna show you how these wristbands work.
The wristband is key to knowing
who the starting server is of each game.
Whoever wears it becomes the even server.
- Here's how it works.
The starting servers from each team put the wristband on.
The wristband stays on that player the entire game.
- And as you know,
the starting first server begins the game
facing the net on the right side of the court
which is the even side.
That means the left side of the court is the odd side
and the same goes for the other team's side of the court.
Focus on the score first.
That's the key to determine the correct player position.
Whenever the score is even,
the player with the wristband is on the right.
Whenever the score is odd,
the player with the wristband is on the left.
This rule applies regardless
of whether it's the first or second server.
Here's an example,
if this team has a score of two as you face the net,
the player with the wristband is on the right.
If the team has a score of three as you face the net,
the player with the wristband is on the left.
Now, you try it.
If the score is 5-6,
where should the player with the wristband be on each team?
Five is odd so the wristband should be on the left.
Six is even so the wristband should be on the right.
Let's try another one.
Where would the wristband be if the score is 10-3?
10 is even so the wristband's on the right.
Three is odd so the wristband is on the left.
- Remember, the score and the wristband
always determine a player's position on the court.
- For both servers and receivers.
Now for a quick overview of the parts of the score sheet.
Here's where you'll place the players names.
And here is where the match information
and court information goes if relevant.
In this space, you'll indicate which team
will serve first for each game.
And in these boxes, you'll keep track of the scores.
Time-outs are recorded in this section.
And the final game scores are recorded here.
We'll go over this again
as we go through the actual match play.
Now we're gonna walk you through
a real live pre-match scenario.
- Mark is gonna show us how it's done.
Look for onscreen graphics for clarification
on what's happening.
- Take it away, Mark.
- Before I get to the court, there are two things I do.
One is to make sure there's a one or a two
on the back of the sheet.
If there isn't, I write one there.
The second thing I do
is make sure that there's a little triangle
under the six for the third game for both teams
as a reminder that we've swapped sides
if we get to a third game.
Alright, folks, my name is Mark
and I'll be the referee today.
Who are my first servers?
- Caroline.
- Caroline and you are?
- Hank. - Here.
Alright, Caroline, I got you
and I'm gonna designate you as a visor.
Now Bob, you're gonna be in all black.
Okay, for my other team,
I've got Hank must be the first server
and I'm gonna designate you as my red person.
And, you're Christine?
- Yes.
- So I'm gonna have you as blue.
Alright folks, so this match is two out of three to 11.
So you have to win by two.
If we go to a third game, we'll swap sides at six.
There's a couple of things I want to make sure you know.
First is that please do not even start your serving motion
until I call the complete score.
So that has to be the three numbers.
So if I say five four two,
then you can start your serving motion.
Line calls.
You'll have all of the lines on the court
with the exception of the service line
and the non-volley zone line.
Those belong to me and I'll be watching those.
Please make your line calls very loud
so I can hear them.
Oftentimes, I'm only watching the non-volley zone
if the play is there and I will not see a ball,
so don't be surprised if I say I didn't see a call.
Okay?
But you can appeal any line call you want to,
and if I clearly saw it one way or another,
I'll make the call, I'll make the judgment,
and then by that is the final call
and that call will stand.
Each routine has two one-minute time-outs.
During each game, they will be timed.
Make sure you come back on time.
I will give you a 15 second warning
when the time is about up.
So please listen for the 15 second warning
and don't be late coming back.
Alright, I got one last thing I need to do
and that's to check the paddles.
So if I could check your paddles real quickly
that would be great.
Alright, these look good.
- [Rusty] By 2021, all approved paddles
should have an official USAPA approved seal.
- Okay, any questions for me?
Alright, one last thing we need to do
is determine which team is gonna serve first.
So Hank, I'm gonna ask you and your partner
to pick a one or a two.
- One. - It is a one.
Your choices are you can either serve,
you can receive or you can pick a side.
- What do you want to do?
- Serve?
- Okay, we'll serve.
- Alright, they're gonna serve so you get to pick your side.
- So, let's take this side?
- Yes.
- Alright, we'll take this side.
- [Rusty] Indicate which team
will start serving in the first game
and the third, if needed,
then rotate the clipboard and notate that the other team
will serve first for game two.
- Alright, let's have a good match.
Continue warming up.
I'll give you a one minute notice
when we're gonna start the match.
- Alright.
- Good luck. - Good luck.
- Have fun!
- [Rusty] Now is a great time to check
and let players know if their serves may be illegal.
- Now, for the fun part.
We're going to take you
through a series of points as the ref
and show you how to mark the scorecard
as the game progresses.
- Now, this is just a sample game for teaching
so we'll pause the gameplay as needed
to show you how to fill out the score sheet,
how to use the tools,
and let you know what the ref is thinking.
To keep these points short,
we asked players to make multiple unforced errors.
Now, let's get started.
You want to stand center court,
so you'll have a clear view of both teams.
You'll orient the clipboard so that the clamp
is pointing towards the team that's about to serve,
with that team's name on the top of the score sheet.
You'll place the number clip over the starting first server,
and at the beginning of the game that will be a two.
- I've got Hank and Christine serving to Bob and Caroline.
This is game one, time is in
and the score is 0-0-2.
Point!
- [Rusty] Now, mark the score with a backslash
matching the clip showing second server.
Then look at the score
to determine where the wristband should be.
The score is 1-0-2.
The serving team has one, an odd number,
so the wristband should be on the left.
The receiving team has zero, an even number,
so the wristband should be on the right.
Check to make sure the receiver is completely ready
before calling the score.
- [Mark] 1-0-2.
Side out!
- [Rusty] At the side out,
make a vertical line on the right edge of the current score.
Then remove the clip, rotate the clipboard
and check the score.
The new serving team score a zero which is even.
That means the even server should be the first one
on their team to serve for this turn.
So place the clip with the one showing over the even server,
the name you've circled.
Based on the score,
before you look up,
make a mental note of where the players
with the wristbands should be.
And then check for proper server and receiver position.
Make sure the receiver is completely ready
and then call the score.
- [Mark] 0-1-1.
- [Man] Out!
- [Mark] Point!
- [Rusty] Now mark the score with a forward slash
matching the clip.
Remember, before every serve,
check the score for where the player
with the wristband should be,
then look up and check for proper player positioning.
Make sure the receiver's completely ready
before calling the score.
- 1-1-1.
Point!
- [Rusty] Mark the point, check the score,
check the player positions,
make sure the receiver is ready,
and then call the score.
- [Mark] 2-1-1.
Point!
- [Rusty] Mark the point, check the score,
check the player positions, make sure the receiver is ready
then call the score.
- [Mark] 3-1-1.
Second server.
- [Rusty] For second server,
you only need to remove the clip,
flip it to two,
and place it over the name of the player serving second.
Then check the score, check the player positions,
make sure the receiver is ready, call the score.
- [Mark] 3-1-2.
Point!
- [Rusty] Note that the clip indicates
to mark the point with a backslash
to represent second server.
Then check the score, check the player positions,
make sure the receiver is ready, call the score.
- [Mark] 4-1-2.
Point!
- [Rusty] Mark the point, check the score,
player positions, wait for the receiver,
then call the score.
- [Mark] 5-1-2.
Side out.
- At side out,
make a vertical line on the right edge of the current score
then remove the clip, rotate the clipboard,
and check the score.
The new serving team scores one which is an odd number
which means the odd player should serve first.
So place the clip with the one showing over the odd player.
Alright, now that we've gone through several points
you've probably noticed there's really only three things
you announce as a referee.
- Point, second server and side out.
- And for each statement,
there's a corresponding action with the score sheet.
If the point is made by the first server,
make a forward slash.
If the point is made by the second server,
make a backward slash.
When you say second server, don't mark anything.
Instead, move the clip over the second server
with the two facing up.
There are more steps for side out.
Make a vertical mark on the right edge of the current score.
Then remove the clip, rotate the clipboard,
flip the clip so the number one faces up,
and check the score.
The new serving team scores one which is odd,
which means the odd player should serve first.
So place the clip with the one showing over the odd player.
Check the scores which are odd for both teams,
so make sure the wristbands are on the left
or odd sides for each team.
Now, let's have you keep track of a few points on your own.
- 1-5-1.
Point!
2-5-1.
- Out! - Second server.
2-5-2.
- [Hank] Out!
- [Mark] Side out.
5-2-1.
Second server.
5-2-2.
Side out.
2-5-1.
- Out! - Point!
3-5-1.
- Out! - Second server.
3-5-2.
Point!
4-5-2.
- Out! - Point!
5-5-2.
- [Woman] Oh yeah, out.
- [Mark] Side out.
- Now, we're going to show you
a few more situations that can happen in a game.
- We'll show you a time-out,
trying to catch somebody in a wrong position,
and we'll show you a change of sides.
- [Mark] Side out.
- Time-out.
- [Mark] time-out has been called.
The score is 5-5-1.
That is your first of two time-outs,
so you have both your time-outs remaining.
One minute.
- [Rusty] Make a mark in the time-out boxes
for the team that called the time-out.
If the receiving team called it,
don't rotate the clipboard.
Just make the mark on the sheet as is.
- [Mark] 15 seconds.
- [Rusty] After the time-out, to resume play,
check the score, player positions,
then call the score.
- 5-5-1.
Fault, server's fault, wrong server.
- [Rusty] For faults,
you will either mark a point, call a side out,
or as in this case announce a second server.
Then keep the game moving.
Now, we're gonna take you to a third game
to show you how to handle switching sides.
- 5-5-2.
Point.
Swap sides.
- In the third game,
games to 11 switch at six points.
Players have one minute to transition.
Now, let's look at the score sheet
when changing sides in the third game.
After you mark the point,
make note of who's serving
and write whatever number is on the clip next to their name.
Then remove the clip, remove the score sheet,
rotate the clipboard,
so the clamp is facing the serving team,
and put the clip back over the server you marked
with the same number showing.
After the transition,
check the score, player positions,
then call the score.
Now we're gonna jump ahead to the end of a match.
- And we'll show you what the referee should do.
- Point, game and match.
Well played, everybody.
- [Rusty] Orient the clipboard with the winning team up top
and write down the final scores for each game in the middle.
Then review them with a player from the winning team
making sure they confirm their names are circled as winners.
- I will have you designated as winners.
If that's right and you get to sign right there.
Very good.
Congratulations. - Thank you.
- Good luck.
- So that's your referee quick start video.
- Thank you for watching.
We hope this will help jumpstart your decision
to get out there
and volunteer as a ref in your local community.
- To continue growing your referee skills,
go online to the USAPA website for more information.
- And we'll see you on the courts.
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