In pickleball open play, many facilities offer an option called ladder play, which allows players of all skill levels to sign up for the same open play session.
Rather than hosting open play based on your DUPR ranking or specific skill levels, ladder play allows competitive open play for everyone.
Imagine a physical ladder: The best players start on the top rung, and beginning or developing players start at the bottom.
The goal of a ladder is to ensure that everyone plays against opponents of a similar ability. As you win matches, you climb up the ladder to face tougher competition. If you lose, you move down to a level that better matches your current performance.
How do you play in a ladder system?
Although specific club rules vary, most ladder play follows a standard round robin or switch-up format. Here is the general flow:
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Grouping: To begin, players are asked to start on the court that most aligns with their skill level. Typically, the courts are numbered, with beginners assigned to Court 1 and advanced players assigned to the highest-numbered court. Intermediate players fill in the courts in between.
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The game: Each court will then play a game, either to a set point or for a specific time.
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Movement: At the end of the session, the winning team will move up to the next court, and the losing team will head down a court. Then, the partners typically split up for the next match.
How to be a good ladder ball partner
In a ladder system, your partner changes frequently. Being a good partner is often more valuable than being the best athlete on the court.
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Communicate early and often: Before the first serve, agree on who takes shots down the middle and who covers lobs. During the point, call "yours" or "mine" clearly.
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Adapt to their style: If your partner prefers to dink, don't force them into a hands battle they aren't ready for. Meet them where they are.
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Take responsibility: If you miss a shot, own it. If they miss a shot, tell them "nice try" or "we'll get the next one."
Tips for success
Success in a ladder system isn't just about your gameplay — it’s about mental resilience.
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Focus on the process, not the rung: If you obsess over moving up the ladder, you’ll play tight and make errors. Focus on making one good shot at a time.
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Warm up properly: Ladders usually have tight schedules. Show up 15 minutes early to stretch and get dialed in.
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Be a student of the game: When you move up and face better players, don't get discouraged if you lose. Observe what they do differently and incorporate it into your own play.
Dealing with a difficult or mean partner
Because ladder sessions are often competitive, emotions can occasionally run high. You might eventually find yourself paired with someone who is overly critical.
Remember, you will switch partners after the match, but here is how to handle it:
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Stay polite: Do not engage in an argument. Maintain a neutral, professional demeanor until the game is over. "Got it, thanks" is a complete sentence.
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Play your game: If a partner is poaching every ball, don't get frustrated and stop trying. Stay in your position and be ready for the balls that do come your way.
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The goldfish rule: Have a short memory. A bad partner is only your partner for about 15 minutes. Once the game is over, you’ll likely rotate to someone else.
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Report unsportsmanlike behavior: Most ladder sessions have a facility coordinator. If someone is being genuinely abusive or breaking the spirit of the game, let the organizer know privately.
