Open Play works because players show up for each other — on the app and on the court. These guidelines help keep the community welcoming, safe, and focused on what we're here for: finding games and playing pickleball.
Be respectful
Treat everyone like you'd want to be treated. That means no harassment, bullying, or discrimination based on skill level, age, background, or identity. Disagreements happen; keep them civil. We're all here to play.
Be honest and reliable
Your profile (skill level, availability, location) helps others decide whether to join a game or invite you. Keep it accurate. If you say you're coming, show up — or update the group so someone else can fill in. No-shows and fake check-ins undermine trust.
Keep it about pickleball
Open Play is for coordinating games and community around the sport. Don't use it for unsolicited commercial promotion, spam, or off-topic drama. Sponsored content is clearly labeled; personal promotion (coaching, gear sales, etc.) is fine when it's relevant and not overwhelming.
Safety and meetups
You may arrange to meet other players in person. Use the same judgment you would anywhere else: meet in public places (courts, parks), tell someone where you're going if that's your habit, and if something feels off, leave or report it. We can't monitor off-app conduct, but we take reports of abuse or safety concerns seriously and may remove accounts or contact authorities when appropriate.
Reporting and enforcement
If you see something that violates these guidelines or our terms — harassment, spam, fake profiles, or anything that makes the community less safe or less fun — report it in the app or email us. We'll review and take action, which can include warnings, content removal, or account suspension. We don't share details of enforcement with other users, but we do enforce consistently.
Our commitment
We're building Open Play to make it easier to find games and connect with other players. That only works if the community feels inclusive and trustworthy. We'll keep updating these guidelines as the product and community grow, and we'll listen to feedback. Thanks for being part of it.
Contact
Questions or need to report something? Email jordan@takingheed.com. Open Play is operated by HEED.