Have you ever shown up to an open play session, only to find that there were more players than courts available? This usually means having to sit out from time-to-time and waiting for games to finish. It can be tough to sit around for 10, 15, or even 20 minutes between games. Some pickleball communities have come up with a solution: involving more than four players in one game.
USAPA Multiplayer Approach
The USAPA has developed a high-intensity solution that gets up to 12 players involved in a single pickleball match. The process involves splitting 12 players into two teams of six players. Each team is led by a captain who is empowered to make rapid substitutions. Each team sends out a pair of players to play each round of the game. The team serving sends out offensive players, and the team receiving the serve sends out defensive players. A round is completed when the defending team stops the offense and resumes the right to serve. When the round is over, each team sends in a new pair of players. This rotation continues until a team has secured 11 points in total.
There may be some situations when a player is in a groove and racking up points for his/her team. Under the multiplayer approach, a team member can only secure two points in a given round. Once you’ve gotten two points on your serve you must step out and let a teammate take your place. These rules allow everyone to get in on the action.
Mortimer Pickleball
If you’re looking for a multiplayer option that isn’t quite so fast-paced, you may want to consider trying out the Mortimer strategy. We’re not really sure where the strategy got its name or where it was developed, but Mortimer pickleball involves six players, with three designated to each side. When serving, all three players begin at the baseline together. After service, two players move up to the kitchen line while the third player (known as the Mortimer) hovers in the back. The Mortimer cannot serve or receive the serve. Instead, the player generally picks up lobs and shots down the middle that get past the players at the net.
How does the rotation work? Players essentially take turns being the Mortimer. If one of the primary kitchen-line players puts a ball into the net or makes an unforced error, they swap places with the Mortimer. This can be an added incentive to hit your spots and make your shots. Alternatively, the Mortimer strategy can help you work on and practice very specific shots.
Good Options for Low-Key Days
Adding more players to the court may not be ideal if you’re trying to work up a sweat and get in some competitive matches. However, next time you’re at open play for fun and find that there are more players than spaces on the court, you might want to consider one of these multiplayer strategies. These techniques can allow you to play with different people, limit your shot selection, and change the pace of the game.
Have you tried your luck at one of these (or another) multiplayer strategies? How did it work out? Let us know in the comments!
What happened to the pickles games at Harrison park red bank?
I am a beginner player and would be interested in playing at Harrison Ave. park
timing is flexible
Here’s an option if you have 5 players. One player stands off to the side. If a player in the game makes an “unforced” error they must step out and the 5th payer takes their place. This is great to get people to be more controlled and place their shots to keep the rally going and also gives each player an idea of how many, and what kind, of errors they make. The rotation goes pretty quickly. The 5 should agree on what an unforced error is before starting. Missing a great shot by the opponent would not require someone to step out. Hitting it long or wide or popping the ball up or into the net, would.
Interesting. I’d have it so the role of managerial captain was rotated, and the captain could not be on the floor playing and making player placement decisions simultaneously. Whaddya think?