A ladder moves players between courts based on results. Publish the movement rule, partner rule, and tiebreak before the first game. “Ladder night” alone doesn’t tell players which version you’re running.
Here is one simple local format for 16 players on four courts. Court 1 is the highest court. This is a session format, not an official pickleball ranking system.
First round
Place four players on each court using your chosen starting order. Draw partners for the first game. Each court plays one doubles game under the same scoring rules and target.
After the game, separate the winning pair from the losing pair. Players move individually, even though that game had a team result.
Movement between rounds
| Starting court | Winning pair | Losing pair |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stay on 1 | Move to 2 |
| 2 | Move to 1 | Move to 3 |
| 3 | Move to 2 | Move to 4 |
| 4 | Move to 3 | Stay on 4 |
Every court receives four players again. At each court, split the two incoming or remaining pairs so each new team has one player from each pair. Agree on the pairing method in advance, such as a coin toss. Partners then change for the next game.
Record enough to check a result
Keep round number, players, score, and movement. Resolve a disputed score before releasing the next round. If you use timed games, publish how a tied score produces a movement decision.
For attendance below 16, rebuild the court plan instead of leaving one group playing three-person doubles. Use byes or a separately defined singles format and explain how it affects movement.
Weekly standings
This movement sheet describes one evening. It doesn’t automatically produce a fair season ranking when players attend different numbers of nights. Choose attendance requirements and a weekly points system separately, then keep those rules stable through the season.
If players want a recognized external rating, check the rating provider’s requirements before promising that these games qualify.
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