CO-DIRECTORS: Mike Hoxie and Cindy Moore

ASSISTANTS: Nancy Jordan, Bob Klarich, Bryan Enarson

COVID19 POLICY: Please refer to our COVID19 policy by clicking here

FRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL:
In an effort to fulfill our mission of fostering worldwide peace, health and friendship, we are excited to announce, on our 36th anniversary, the Friendship Festival. We invite all athletes and their friends, volunteers, sponsors and community members to join us for six nights of food, fun, entertainment and friendship. The festival will provide flexibility for participants to attend at their convenience on any or all nights of what is sure to be a new favorite opportunity to connect with old friends and make new ones regardless of your sport.

EVENTS: 
Age Singles, Age Doubles, Age Mixed Doubles and Skill Level Doubles
      • Tournament will NOT be USAPA sanctioned

SCHEDULE:     
Monday, Oct. 16 – Saturday, Oct. 21- Competition begins at 8:00 am daily - There will be no make-up day(s)
     • Tournament will NOT be USAPA sanctioned

This Schedule is PRELIMINARY. It is subject to change.

***There are 4 pickleball events. You may only register for each event one time per year. Events are defined as follows:

  • Age Doubles: Partners of the same gender play against opponents who are in the same age group. Skill level is a secondary consideration.
  • Skill Doubles: Partners of the same gender play against opponents who are in the same skill level. Age group is a secondary consideration.
  • Mixed Doubles: Partnerships of 1 man and 1 woman play against opponents who are in the same age group.  Skill level is a secondary consideration.
  • Singles: Opponent is in your same age group. Skill level is a secondary consideration.


Monday Oct 16 - Women’s Age Doubles, Men’s Skill Level Doubles-3.0, 3.5
Tuesday Oct 17 - Men’s Age Doubles, Women’s Skill Level Doubles- (3.0)
Wednesday Oct 18 - Men's Skill Level Doubles (4.0, 4.5, 5.0) and Women Skill Level Doubles (3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0)
Thursday Oct 19 -Mixed Doubles - 50, 55, 60 age groups
Friday Oct 20 - Mixed Doubles - 65, 70, 75, 80+ age groups 
Saturday Oct 21- Men and Women Singles

VENUES: 
Little Valley Pickleball Courts, 2330 Horseman Park Dr, St. George, UT 84790

DIVISIONS:
Age Singles, Age Doubles and Age Mixed Doubles:
5-Year Age Brackets - 50+, 55+, 60+, 65+, 70+, 75+, 80+, 85+, 90+, 95+, 100+

Skill Level Men and Women's Doubles:
Men-3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 and Women-3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0
Skill Level Doubles will be further divided into 50+, 60+, 70+, 80+ age divisions

Games officials reserve the right to cancel any event or combine age or skill level divisions due to insufficient entries 

SPORT FEE:
$18 Per Event, referee fee has been included.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Early Bird Deadline (Save $20) – August 1
Final Registration Deadline – September 1

REGISTRATION RULES:
• Pickleball players Be sure you and your partner register early!
• When you register, We can’t emphasize enough that you MUST COMPLETE:
     1. All partners must be named with their athlete number.
     2. You must designate your skill level.
     3. Again, your entire registration must be absolutely complete
     4. Your doubles partner must also complete ALL of these requirements.
• When things fill up, you will be added to a waitlist. In the event of cancellations, we will pull people off of this waitlist.
• Changes in partners after September 1 are subject to the approval of the tournament directors.
• Age division for Mens Doubles, Womens Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Skill Level Doubles events shall be determined by the age of the youngest partner. 
• Participants entering Skill Level Doubles must provide their skill level on their registration form. Those needing to determine their skill level should check the USA Pickleball Association website, https://www.usapa.org/player-skill-rating-definitions/  or see the Ratings Description Chart below. 
• The division for a Skill Level Doubles team will be determined by the rating of the higher rated player and the age of the youngest player (see skill levels and age divisions for Skill Level Doubles listed above).
• Tournament directors reserve the right to approve a player's appropriate skill level rating and the corresponding skill events in which the player will participate.
• Participants may enter one or all events, but only once in each event. 
• If you would like to play in a doubles event but do not have a partner check PartnerFinder for a listing, by sport, of individuals looking for partners.
• Pickleball participants may not enter other sports scheduled during their Pickleball event(s).

 FORMAT: 
• Tournament will NOT be USAPA sanctioned and USAPA rules will govern play. In age divison doubles and singles,  brackets will be broken into the a new format of four (4) skill levels -3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5+.
• The Yellow Franklin X-40 balls will be used.
• Format will be double elimination. If there are fewer than four entries in a group, groups may be combined or cancelled. In addition, larger divisions will be split into A, B, and possibly C groupings.
• Schedule will be posted in the Sports Lounge at the Dixie Center.
• Participants must check-in and present their Huntsman World Senior Games ID Badge at the venue check-in prior to play, each day they play in an event. 

MEDALS:
Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded to the top three players in each division in each event. Awards will be presented daily, at the conclusion of each event. 

KICK-OFF OPEN HOUSE SOCIAL: 
Registered players are invited to play at the Little Valley October 15,  starting at 10:00 am for open social play. This will be a “no frills” event, so plan on bringing your own supply of food and drinks sufficient to keep yourself well hydrated and energized. The courts will be busy, so expect to rotate four-on/four-off each game.

RATING DESCRIPTIONS:

Rating Rating Description
1.0 New and have only minimal knowledge of the game and the rules.
1.5 Limited to some rallies.
Learning how to serve.
Developing a forehand.
Fails to return easy balls frequently and occasionally misses the ball entirely.
Played a few games and is learning the court lines, scoring, and some basic rules of the game.
2.0 Sustains a short rally with players of equal ability.
Demonstrating the basic shot strokes – forehand, backhand, volley, overhead and the serve, but has obvious weaknesses in most strokes.
Familiar with court positioning in doubles play.
2.5 Makes longer lasting slow-paced rallies.
Makes most easy volleys and uses some backhands, but needs more work on developing shot strokes.
Beginning to approach the non-volley zone to hit volleys.Aware of the soft game.
Knowledge of the rules has improved.Court coverage is weak but improving.
3.0 More consistent on the serve and service return and when returning medium-paced balls.
Demonstrates improved skills with all the basic shot strokes and shot placement but lacks control when trying for direction, depth, or power on their shots.
Beginning to attempt lobs and dinks with little success and doesn't fully understand when and why they should be used.
3.5 Demonstrates improved stroke dependability with directional control on most medium-paced balls and some faster-paced balls.
Demonstrates improved control when trying for direction, depth and power on their shots.
Needs to develop variety with their shots.
Exhibits some aggressive net play.
Beginning to anticipate opponent’s shots.
Learning about the importance of strategy and teamwork in doubles.
4.0 Consistent and dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand shots.
Reliable serves, lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys and can use spin shots with some success.
Occasionally can force errors when serving.
Rallies may be lost due to impatience.
Uses the dink shot and drop shots to slow down or change the pace of the game.
Demonstrates 3rd shot strategies drop shots, lobs, and fast-paced ground strokes.
Aggressive net play and teamwork in doubles is evident.
Fully understands the rules of the game and can play by them.
4.5 Beginning to master the use of power and spin, can successfully execute all shots, can control the depth of their shots, and can handle pace.
Beginning to master the dink shots and drop shots and their importance to the game.
Beginning to master 3rd shot choices.
Displays sound footwork and moves well enough to get to the non-volley zone whenever required.
Understands strategy and can adjust style of play and game plan according to the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and court position.
Serves with power and accuracy and can also vary the speed and spin of the serve.
Understands the importance of “keeping the ball in play” and the effect of making errors.Making good choices in shot selection.
Anticipates the opponent’s shots resulting in good court positioning.
5.0 Mastered all the skills - all shot types, touch, spin, serves, with control and can use them as weapons.
Excellent shot anticipation, extremely accurate shot placement and regularly hit winning shots.
Forces opponents into making errors by “keeping the ball in play.”
Mastered the dink and drop shots.
Mastered the 3rd shot choices and strategies.
Uses soft shots, dinks and lobs to set up offensive situations.
Mastered pickleball strategies and can vary strategies and styles of play in competitive or tournament matches.
Dependable in stressful situations as in tournament match play.
Athletic ability, quickness, agility, and raw athleticism are also qualities that are sometimes what separates the top players from those near the top.