| Pickleball - Drop-In Activity Details |
- Open to participants ages 18+. Each drop-in will have a capacity of 20 players.
- Drop-ins are first-come, first-served, with admissions available through pre-registration (see “Adult Pickleball Pre-Registration Guidelines” accordion below for more details). A portion of spots in each drop-in will be available for on-the-spot admission, beginning 15 minutes prior to program time.
- Admission must be purchased ahead of time via e-PLAY or in-person at the Customer Service Desk.
- All players must check in at the Customer Service Desk before entering the courts. Due to high demand, participants are not permitted to pay and hold spots for others.
- Players who have pre-registered online for a Pickleball drop-in will be permitted to get their wristband from the Customer Service desk up to 1 hour (60 minutes) prior to their program start time. These players will not be required to wait in line for general admissions which will begin 15 minutes prior to the program start time.
- Regular drop-in rates apply. Please note that 10 ticket pricing is not available through pre-registration.
- Adult (18 to 54) - $4.25 per single entry; $36.25 for 10 tickets
- Older Adults (55+) - $3.00 per single entry; $25.50 for 10 tickets
- Note: Prices effective January 1, 2025.
- Drop-ins will be staffed. Program staff are responsible for managing court rotations to ensure players receive fair and equitable time on the courts. No instruction will be provided. All skill levels are welcome.
- Players must leave the gymnasium at the end of the designated drop-in time.
- Paddles will be provided for any players that do not have their own.
- Players are asked to follow the "Pickleball Rules for Beginners" and "Drop-In Etiquette", posted below and in the gymnasium.
- If players are unsure of their level of play, they should review the “Pickleball Levels of Play” for guidelines and recommendations. Players are asked to attend drop-ins geared to their level and playing ability only for the enjoyment of all participants.
- Schedules are subject to changes, updates and/or cancellations throughout the season. Players should check website prior to attending for most up to date schedules.
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| Adult Pickleball Pre-Registration Guidelines |
- Pre-registration will be available 8 days in advance for the upcoming week of programs through the Town’s online program registration system. Registration will remain open up to 1 hour before the drop-in time.
- Adult Pickleball - Registration dates and times are as follows.
- Residents: Registration will open online on Fridays at 9:30 a.m.
- Non-Residents: Registration will open online on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
- Example: For drop-in programs taking place the week of February 17 to 23 - resident registration will open on Friday, February 9 at 9:30 a.m. - non-resident registration will open on Sunday, February 11 at 10:30 a.m.
- 10 ticket pricing is not available through pre-registration.
- Players can set-up an account and register online at e-PLAY. All available sessions will be viewable online starting on February 1.
- Limited spaces will be available for in-person admission to purchase on the day of the drop-in. In-person admissions will be available 15 minutes prior to the program start time, at the Customer Service Desk.
- We are committed to providing fair and equitable access for all to enjoy our programs and services.
- Pre-registered spots will be held until 5 minutes after the start of the drop-in. After 5 minutes, pre-registered players may lose their spot as it will be released to drop-in admission. In the event that a player has lost their pre-paid spot, a credit for the missed class will be placed on their account.
- Players who continually pre-register and do not attend scheduled sessions may be subject to penalties.
Cancellations/Withdrawals
To cancel a drop-in booking, players must email our Customer Service staff prior to the drop-in start time. Refunds for cancelled drop-ins will be returned to the player's e-PLAY account as a credit for use in future drop-ins.
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| Pickleball 101 - Rules for Beginners |
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9 Rules of Pickleball All Players Need to Know
- Points are scored by the team that serves, and you play to 11 points. A team has to win by 2 points.
- When the side that serves has a score in an even number, the server for that team plays from the right side of the court. A score in an odd number means that the server plays from the left side.
- When you serve the ball, you must hold the paddle and the ball below your waist, and serve underhand.
- You serve diagonally cross-court. While serving, you have to keep your feet from touching the court or the sideline area, and keep at least one foot behind the baseline.
- Players serve until they commit a fault, which is any rules violation that stops play. The first serves are made from the right side of the court, and if the server scores a point, that player then serves from the left side.
- With the first serve of the game, the team gets only one chance to serve (until they commit a fault). The opposing team then gets a chance for both players to serve (meaning until their team makes two faults). After this round, each team only gets one fault before the serve switches to the opposite team.
- There’s a two-bounce rule. This means that each side has to let the ball bounce once before returning it. After those two bounces, you can either hit the ball before it bounces (a volley), or off a bounce.
- There’s a zone called “the kitchen” within 7 feet on both sides of the net. This is the “no-volley” zone - meaning you can only hit a ball from this zone if it bounces first. If you hit a volley when standing in the kitchen, it’s considered a fault. It’s also a fault if you accidentally step into the kitchen after hitting a volley, even if it’s just momentum that sends you there.
- A ball touching any part of the line is “in.” A serve that hits the kitchen is a fault.
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| Pickleball Drop-In Etiquette |
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To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone, Town of Aurora drop-in pickleball players are asked to follow these etiquette guidelines.
- Respect the Game – Pickleball is a social game, but it can also be competitive. Respect your opponents and play with good sportsmanship.
- Paddle Tapping – Paddle tapping is a common practice before the game to greet opponents and teammates. It's a way of saying, "Good luck, have fun."
- Retrieve Balls Promptly – After a point is scored, retrieve the ball quickly and get ready for the next point. This keeps the game flowing smoothly.
- Mind the Non-Volley Zone – Be aware of the non-volley zone (the kitchen). Avoid standing in it when you're not allowed to, and be honest about calling faults on yourself.
- Wait for the Score to be Called – Before serving, make sure the score is called correctly by both teams. This helps prevent disputes over the score.
- Respect Court Space – Be aware of your surroundings and avoid encroaching on neighbouring courts. Give players on adjacent courts plenty of space where possible and let them know if your ball is on their court. In this case, play should be paused for player safety while the ball is being retrieved.
- Obey the Rules – To the best of your ability, players should attempt to know and follow the rules of the game. If you're unsure about a rule, ask for clarification from more experienced players. Players are asked to self-monitor gameplay. Rules are posted onsite for beginners to reference.
- Rotate Sides Wisely – In doubles play, switch sides of the court efficiently and smoothly after each point is scored. This helps keep the game moving.
- Be Inclusive – Remember, pickleball is meant to be enjoyable for everyone involved. Be inclusive and welcoming to players of all skill levels and abilities. Encourage others to join in and have fun.
Following these etiquette guidelines will help to create a positive and friendly atmosphere on our courts. Thank you for your cooperation.
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| Pickleball Levels of Play |
- Open Play: All levels welcome
- Beginner: For Levels 2.5 & Below; geared to players who have learned the skills and now want to play some games.
- Intermediate: For Levels 3.0 & Below
- Advanced: For Levels 3.5 & Above
For a guideline of individual's level of play, visit the IPTPA website (International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association) to view the rankings and assessments.
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