2025-2026 Rules and Regulations
UHSPA will be following the USAP rules. It is up to each coach and player to become familiar with these rules. The USAP rulebook can be found here. Failure to abide by rules and regulations could result in disqualification.
We would like to have every match refereed, and are actively trying to train new referees. As pickleball is growing at such a rapid rate, we may not have enough qualified referees for each match and some games may be refereed by volunteers instead. Players and coaches need to be kind and patient to the referees. Any concerns or disputes can be taken to the Tournament Director who will have the final decision.
DUPR
Every student needs to have their own DUPR account. There must not be an additional DUPR account under their name. Duplicate DUPR accounts need to be deleted/merged/removed before 10/1/25. It is the advisor's responsibility to check that DUPR accounts are accurate. Please allow extra time to register a new DUPR account for players <13.
Players found to have more than one DUPR account once meets have started, or who are playing under the account of someone else will not be allowed to compete for the rest of the season.
Team Rosters
Team Rosters are due on 10/15/25 so that UHSPA staff have time to verify students are playing in the correct school boundary. Additional students may be added to the roster at any time, but must wait 7 days to compete so that verifications can be done. Coaches/Advisors must have verified the player lives in their school boundaries, and has not already graduated High School. Once you see a check mark in the verified column of your roster, that player is eligible to compete.
A player who did not compete in at least two meets during the season will not be eligible to compete in the State Championships.
There is no limit to how many players can be on a school’s roster.
All players for a team must be from the High School, or can be Junior High or Homeschooled students of the same age living in the High School boundaries. No exceptions. A school found in violation of this rule will be disqualified.
Each school must have a minimum of 4 males and 4 females on their roster. This allows more team members to participate, equalizes skill level, and encourages unity within the team.
Game Play
Four girls and four boys are needed for each school team.
Schools who are more than 15 minutes late to a meet/tournament game will forfeit their match.
All players and coaches must wear their UHSPA team shirts to compete in every meet and tournament.
We will be playing with the Vulcan ball.
Line calls will be made by the players on the court and the referee assigned to that court. No spectators or teammates may make line calls. If there is a dispute between the players on the court, the referee’s judgement will stand.
Coaching is not allowed except for during time-outs or between games. Each team is allowed one, 1-minute time-out per game.
At each of the meets in our season, you will play two matches against two different high school teams.
Please make sure that players only use approved paddles. Players who use a banned paddle will be disqualified and the match forfeited. Here is a list of approved paddles.
Coaches and parents are expected to display positivity, good sportsmanship, integrity and kindness at all times. The adults are examples for the students to follow.