Code of Conduct & Match Dispute Policy
A fair skill rating depends on accurate match records and respectful conduct. This page explains the standards PADL members agree to and how administration reviews challenged scores or reported messages.
Community Guidelines & Code of Conduct
PADL Chat® lets eligible members arrange matches and communicate inside the app. Everyone using it must follow these standards so conversations remain respectful and safe:
Zero tolerance for harassment & toxicity
Personal attacks, hate speech, bullying, slurs, or targeted harassment of any member will result in an immediate chat ban and potential revocation of your Digital Tour Card.
Fair play & sportsmanship
PADL Chat is designed to coordinate matches, discuss strategy and build the pickleball community. Using chat to threaten, mock match results, or pressure opponents regarding disputed scores is strictly prohibited.
No spam or commercial solicitation
Unsolicited advertising, external cryptocurrency promotions, link spam, or unauthorized commercial pitching will be automatically filtered and penalized.
Respect privacy
Do not share private contact details, real names, or personal information of other members without their explicit consent.
Enforcement & reporting
Violations can be flagged instantly using the built-in Report tool. Administration reviews all flagged logs. Accounts found in violation face immediate muting, temporary suspension, or permanent ejection from the PADL USA ecosystem.
Match Dispute Policy & Moderation Framework
The pending state & grace period
When a match score is submitted and the opponent disputes it — or fails to confirm within a 24-hour window — the match locks in a DISPUTED_PENDING state. No rating points move until resolution.
First-line resolution (peer evidence)
Both players are prompted to upload a brief note, an optional screenshot of a smartwatch scorekeeper, or a timestamped frame from their PADL Vision® match replay.
The moderation authority
Disputes are reviewed and ruled upon by PADL USA Administration / Circuit Referees. Decentralized community voting is not used for match scores, to prevent collusion or clan-voting bias; administration holds final binding authority.
Resolution — agreement reached
The correct score is manually forced through the PPI engine pipeline and the match locks as verified.
Resolution — unresolvable or insufficient evidence
The match is voided entirely with zero rating changes applied to either player's profile, protecting both parties from unfair point shifts.
Malicious disputing
Habitual false disputes result in temporary suspension of match-logging privileges.
Questions about a ruling? Open the match in your dashboard ledger and add evidence — administration reviews every filing.