LBI 2025 Pickleball Tournament Rules: The 2025 LBI Pickleball by the Beach Tournament will take place at The Picklr Manahawkin–LBI, located at 205 Route 72 West, Manahawkin, New Jersey 08050. This USA Pickleball-sanctioned tournament features seven indoor courts and requires players to have a valid USA Pickleball CHAMPION-level membership to register and compete.
Registration and Player Requirements
To participate, both team members must be registered and fully paid. Teams that do not meet this requirement within five days will be moved to the waitlist. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. The computer waitlist shows names alphabetically, not by registration time. Players must compete at or above their UTPR rating. DUPR results will also be recorded.
The tournament will use referees for most matches. Referees are required for all matches leading up to and including medal rounds. All rules will follow the 2025 USA Pickleball Rulebook.
Players must use USA Pickleball-approved paddles and follow all game rules. Each participant is responsible for knowing the rules, including paddle checks, foot faults, time-outs, and scoring regulations.
Referee and Game Rules
Matches will be officiated according to USA Pickleball standards. Line calls must be made clearly and quickly. In officiated matches, referees will make calls on service foot faults, short serves, and non-volley zone violations. Players may appeal line calls, but referees will only overrule if they clearly saw the ball land.
“Starting server” bands must be worn during doubles play. Players must serve only after the full score has been called. Serving early will result in a fault or a replay, depending on timing.
For volley serves:
The arm must move upward.
The paddle must stay below the wrist.
The ball must be hit below the waist.
For drop serves, the ball must be dropped naturally, not tossed. Double hits are allowed only if they happen in one motion.
Players can hydrate and towel off during natural pauses but may only receive coaching from someone other than their partner during time-outs. Time-outs are limited to two per team in 11- or 15-point games and three in games to 21 points.
Safety, Time-Outs, and Sportsmanship
Players may call for a time-out before a serve is hit. Medical time-outs require approval from medical staff or the tournament director. If ruled invalid, the player loses a regular time-out and may be penalized. A head injury means automatic removal from play unless a medical release is provided.
Disputes with referees may be raised, but if the referee’s decision stands, the player will be charged a time-out and given a technical warning. Further actions could result in point penalties or forfeits.
A 15-second warning will be given before play starts or resumes. Players who fail to follow instructions may face penalties. In self-officiated matches, a referee can be requested if rules are not being followed or disputes cannot be resolved.
Sportsmanship is required. Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in warnings, fouls, or match forfeiture. A game is forfeited if one technical warning and one foul, or three technical warnings, are issued. A match is forfeited if four technical warnings are given.
Pre-Match Procedures
Each match begins with a player briefing by the referee. This includes:
Paddle checks.
Match format overview.
Identifying starting servers.
Random selection of sides and first serve.
Rule changes and court updates.
Five minutes of warm-up before the day’s first match and three minutes for later matches.
News in Brief: LBI 2025 Pickleball Tournament Rules
The LBI Pickleball by the Beach 2025 Tournament will be held at The Picklr Manahawkin–LBI indoor courts in New Jersey. This USA Pickleball-sanctioned event follows strict rules, requires valid player memberships, and uses referees. Registration is first come, first served. Email Andy Jones for help or info.
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