Junior Format
The NCPA Junior Format is designed to maximize player growth while providing a seamless pathway from junior to collegiate pickleball.
Match Play & Dreambreaker
2 doubles games and 2 singles games per matchup
All games to 11, win by 2
Sudden Death Dreambreaker if tied
Scoring & Rules
Standard side-out scoring to 11, win by 2
Coin toss determines doubles or singles first
Teams switch at 6 points (not a timeout)
Player Ratings
Every match counts toward a player's national rating
Ratings carry over into collegiate competition
View ratings and top performers by state/country (coming soon)
Alternative Collegiate Format
Teams with both men and women can opt to play the official NCPA Collegiate Format.
This is NCPA's Division 1 Team Format, giving players the chance to gain experience and get comfortable with the structure before competing at the collegiate level.
Junior Team Format
Note: This is exclusive for teams with only boys or only girls.
Team Sizes
2–3 players of the same gender
Match Structure
2 doubles games and 2 singles games per matchup, all games to 11, win by 2
Coin Toss
Determines whether doubles or singles are played first
Doubles Play
If Doubles is chosen first, the opposing team chooses serve or side.
Singles Play
If Singles is chosen first, the opponent decides whether to react or select serve/side. If they choose to react, the first team must place their player on the court. For the second game, the roles switch, and the team that didn't react in the first game gets to react.
Sudden Death Dreambreaker – 3-Point Segments
Starting Category: The team with the better point differential chooses whether the first 6 points will be doubles or singles.
First 6 Points:
- Example: If singles is chosen, the selecting team puts out their player first for the first 3 points, and the opposing team reacts.
- For the next 3 points, roles switch — the reacting team now puts out their player first.
Next 6 Points (Doubles):
- Doubles is played in the same 3-point rotation format.
- Teams may substitute a player after each 3-point segment.
Rotation: Categories (singles or doubles) rotate every 6 points until a winner is determined.