STL TOP Padel

Winter 2026 STL TOP Padel

Ladder League Rules & OPERATION

1. League Overview

The Winter 2026 STL TOP Padel Ladder League consists of eighteen (18) teams competing in a weekly ladder-based format. Teams move up or down the ladder each week based on match results to ensure competitive balance.

LINKS TO BOOKMARK
Rules & Operation:
https://stltoppadel.com/top-padel-winter-26-rules/
Schedule & Scores:
https://stltoppadel.com/winter-26-schedule/
Subs:
https://stltoppadel.com/winter-26-subs/

2. Player Eligibility

  • Player must be in good standing with the League Dues.
  • All players must maintain an active USPA membership.
  • USPA membership is required for:
    • Match eligibility
    • Official score reporting
    • League standings and records
  • This requirement also applies to all substitute players.

3. Match Schedule

  • League matches are played on Saturday mornings at:
    • 9:00 AM
    • 10:30 AM
    • 12:00 PM
  • Match time and court assignment are determined by a team’s current ladder position.
  • Teams are expected to arrive at least 10 minutes early.

4. Equipment

  • Match balls are supplied for all league matches.
  • Teams may warm up using league-provided balls only.

5. Match Format & Scoring

  • Matches use standard tennis scoring with the following rules:

Golden Point

  • At first deuce after (40–40), a single deciding (golden point) is played.
  • The receiving team chooses the side on which the serve is received.

Sets

  • First to 6 games, win by 2 games.
  • At 6–6, a 7-point tiebreak (win by 2) determines the set.

Match

  • Matches are best two out of three sets.
  • A third set is played only if teams split the first two sets.

6. Ladder Movement

  • A winning team moves up one court for the following week.
  • A losing team moves down one court for the following week.
  • Ladder movement determines both court assignment and match time.

7. Substitutes (Subs)

General Sub Rules

  • Teams are responsible for securing their own substitutes.
  • An approved sub list is published at: (Winter 26 Subs).
  • The sub list includes a dark dividing line:
    • Subs above the line may be used for 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM matches
    • Subs below the line may be used for 9:00 AM matches

Sub Communication Requirement

  • All substitute usage must be communicated to Brandon Harris or Matt Brobeck no later than Tuesday afternoon of a league week.
  • This communication is required so P&P can update the official court sheet.
  • Failure to communicate by this deadline may result in the substitute being ruled ineligible.

Both Players Unavailable (Reschedule Option)

  • If both rostered players are unavailable for a given league match:
    • The match may be rescheduled, provided:
      • The match is completed before the originally scheduled league match date, and
      • Brandon Harris, Oscar, or Matt Brobeck are notified prior to the rescheduled match being played
  • If the match cannot be completed prior to the scheduled league date, the team must proceed using substitutes and will be subject to the Two-Sub Rule.

Two-Sub Rule

  • If a team uses two substitutes in a league match:
    • The team will automatically drop down one court the following week
    • The team will receive the points associated with the lower court and match time
    • This applies regardless of match result

8. Standings & Points System

Points Allocation

  • League standings are determined by a weekly points system.
  • Teams receive points based on the court and match time they will play the following week.
  • Lower total points indicate a higher league standing.

Court & Time Points Table

Match TimeCourtPoints
12:00 PMCourt 11
Court 22
Court 33
10:30 AMCourt 14
Court 25
Court 36
9:00 AMCourt 17
Court 28
Court 39

How Points Are Earned

  • Win → move up one court → receive points for the new court/time
  • Loss → move down one court → receive points for the new court/time

If a team moves between time slots, points are awarded based on the new assignment.

Standings Tie-Breakers

If teams are tied in total points at season end, tie-breakers apply in this order:

  1. Head-to-head result (if applicable)
  2. Higher ladder position in the final week
  3. Total matches won
  4. Set percentage
  5. Game percentage
  6. Coin flip or random draw (administered by the STL TOP Padel Board)

9. Score Reporting, Ball Return & Weekly Schedule

  • Immediately after match completion, the winning team must:
    • Record the match score on the official score sheet posted on Court #1
    • Return the used match ball to the ball bag located near the score sheet
  • STL TOP Padel Board will enter scoresinto the USPA database.
  • Prior to each league weekend, the STL TOP Padel Board will publish the official schedule on the league website (Winter 26 Schedule).
  • Teams are responsible for confirming match time and court assignment.

10. League Dates

Jan 3, 2026

Jan 10, 2026

Jan 17, 2026

Jan 24, 2026

Jan 31, 2026

Feb 7, 2026

Feb 14, 2026 – SKIP (Valentine’s Day)

Feb 21, 2026

Feb 28, 2026 – SKIP (Missouri State Padel Championships)

Mar 7, 2026

Mar 14, 2026 – TBD / SKIP (NPL Nationals – Miami)

Mar 21, 2026

Mar 28, 2026 – Winter ’26 TOP Padel League Tournament

11. Sportsmanship & League Administration

  • All players are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and respect opponents, partners, and officials.
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct or repeated rule violations may result in disciplinary action at the discretion of the STL TOP Padel Board.
  • The STL TOP Padel Board reserves the right to clarify, interpret, or amend these rules as necessary to ensure fair competition and smooth league operation.