Pickleball ETIQUETTE: 7 Unspoken Rules of the Pickleball Court

[@CareyFan]

Other DON'TS for more casual REC play. -Don't Lob relentlessly in rec games, especially if you know the opponent has sun in their eyes. Yes, I know lobs are part of the game. But save it for a tournament -Don't constantly target the weaker player and ice out the other player. Does the win really mean THAT much to you in rec play? -Don't hit drop volleys against players who clearly have mobility issues. I find this to be mean spirited. -Don't criticize your own teammate when they make mistakes or make a bad decision, especially if you don't know him/her -Don't give unsolicited advice to your teammate. Unless they've asked for it, keep it to yourself. LIFT your teammate up. Don't put them down. -Don't be that guy/gal who calls out the opponent for hitting serves illegally. Unless you're absolutely sure that it's illegal, just play it out -Don't laugh at your opponent if they miss an easy shot. Yes, I've actually seen this happen. (Note: if you're with friends and know it's all in good fun, then by all means, laugh!) -Don't be a jerk on the court. Even if you're competitive, there's a way to be nice and competitive at the same time. The above are etiquette rules I live by for myself. And I find that they're a bit more applicable to newer or weaker players. If it's tournament or highly competitive play, all bets are off! :)

[@dickydaydream]

Yes, this.

[@annemariecoen3851]

Always be encouraging and kind. Smile and have fun. Dont be the douchebag no one wants to play with..no matter how skilled you are.

[@playpickleball-com]

@CareyFan these are great! Thank you so much for these helpful additions!

[@robertw4196]

I play with a guy who celebrates way too hard when an opponent makes a mistake. He's a real nice guy too. When I play him, it makes me want to plunk him.

[@Joseph-eh4rs]

Pretty common sense court etiquettes for adults playing friendly recreational games.

[@chrisbull7676]

And the link to giveaway would be listed where? Nothing in the description!

[@playpickleball-com]

Our apologies! The link is now in the description. It is also here: Selkirk.com/PPB-1 GOOD LUCK!

[@ronjones1360]

8th unspoken rule. Don’t say your giving away products and not provide the link.

[@playpickleball-com]

We are working on getting the link issue resolved! It should be updated within 24 hours.

[@playpickleball-com]

Our apologies! The link is now in the description. It is also here: Selkirk.com/PPB-1 GOOD LUCK!

[@Aesthetic_koalaian]

Really good explanation thank you so much 😊

[@Schoe1600-e1e]

When returning a ball to another player, don’t just roll it, or kick it, pick it up and toss or hit it to them!! Be nice!

[@playpickleball-com]

Absolutely! That’s a GOOD one!

[@kvernon1]

What I do is HAND the ball to the person I want to give it to. That seems the most courteous thing to do, and the response I get is very positive.

[@Bergarita]

One of my pet peeves. I always pick up the ball and toss it to them. Never hit it to them on the ground.

[@kvernon1]

One point of etiquette I wish was addressed: how should we respond if (a) I or (b) someone else messes up and makes a bad mistake? I'm a new player, but from what I've learned so far: (1) if an opponent messes up, do not laugh or put them down; staying silent is never wrong, (2) if a teammate messes up, simple light encouragement or verbal refocusing on the next point (one sentence is all you need), (3) If I mess up, resist the urge to overreact -- don't get angry or put yourself down. Number 3 is what I struggle with sometimes. Would appreciate feedback on how you've learned to react or think after mistakes. Thanks.

[@lwest306]

I think another important do is when a players ball comes on your court pick it up and get it back to the right person.

[@playpickleball-com]

LOVE THIS ONE! Thanks!

[@eileenhamilton8605]

Great reminders. Thank you

[@playpickleball-com]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@michaelfinny7538]

I am sooooo sharing this video in a chat with the group I play with. Hopefully they watch it to the end and see the part about when to call a ball out. 😂😂

[@acarter2072]

Good job!

[@playpickleball-com]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lydiablaakman2965]

Gr8 video!!! Thanks 🙌🏻🏓🥳

[@playpickleball-com]

Thank you for watching :)

[@jamesgarza5269]

Link is working Ty

[@playpickleball-com]

Great, thank you!!! Winners should be announced in a few weeks :)

[@eileenhamilton8605]

Not finding any link to giveaway

[@playpickleball-com]

We are working on getting the link issue resolved! It should be updated within 24 hours.

[@playpickleball-com]

Our apologies! The link is now in the description. It is also here: Selkirk.com/PPB-1 GOOD LUCK!

[@pickleballer1729]

Most important thing no one mentions: If an errant ball rolls across your court from another court- 1) STOP the ball from rolling across the next court as well 2) Pick up the ball and throw or hit it back to the court it belongs on. DO NOT just randomly whack the ball across the floor so it interrupts multiple games. 3) If you're on the court the errant ball came from, hold up your hand, preferably pointing to the person serving, so the person in #2 knows _where_ to throw or hit the ball.

[@jeffhoebelheinrich7858]

Help me with other etiquette rules. I am an old tennis player. I am not good at dinks. I know, I need to practice. But when playing "competitive" rec games, I resort to banging. Obviously, I only really bang with experienced and semi-experience players. I truly do not try to hit players, but I do bang. I try to hit closer to my opponent to catch them off guard as it is harder to hit near your body than with an extended arm. More times than not, the player will try and hit the ball, it will bounce off their racket and hit themselves, compared to one of my shots actually hitting the opponent straight on. I am concerned that maybe this could be seen as unprofessional. Again, I play at the level of my opponents' skill. Are there any unspoken rules for us banger? We are generally in our 60's and play around 3.5 to 4. thanks.

[@michaelmatteson1396]

No link. And I agree about calling the ball out. Too many players who are "across" from the ball horizontally on the court call close balls out. They do not have the best angle to see if it is in or out, and should not be making a call unless they can clearly see space between the ball and the line.

[@playpickleball-com]

The link is in the description. It is also here: Selkirk.com/PPB-1 And yes, totally agree! Thanks for watching.

[@IRWE905]

The Players (Rec Play) receiving the Ball make the call for in or out of Court. The video will now be mandatory for our Drop In Group :)

[@playpickleball-com]

Thank you for your positive feedback! Hope it is a helpful resource for your group!

[@leerahr7397]

Wait until the opponent is ready before you serve

[@magillagolf]

One more "Don't" and "Do": Don't hold a pickle ball paddle in your hand when talking if it has nothing to do with your talking point as it just becomes a distraction and a blatant billboard for the paddle manufacturer. Instead, DO use the paddle to demonstrate a few of your comments as if your were on the court playing with it when a ball from the other court comes across etc. That way you can get your Selkirk paddle ad in and demonstrate your points more naturally

[@playpickleball-com]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@williamnichols5606]

Help me get in your show to teach the deaf players more like your show. Just the three of us!

[@Brbrutfdcssf]

I disagree slightly with do #3; if a ball rolls on, say in the back of the court, but doesn't interfere with play, I wouldn't call it.

[@playpickleball-com]

Yes, if it doesn’t distract the point play it out! The point we are trying to make is to not call it AFTER the point.

[@r8zercrest]

I’m a new player and picking things up quickly but one thing I’m a little confused about is how to give myself a ranking number I’m not sure if I’m a or 2.5 or a 3 etc.. What’s the general rule of thumb here and how do I know when it’s appropriate to challenge myself against a 3 or 4?

[@robertrhine2402]

If you're a fairly new player then it is best, in my opinion, to tell folks how long you've been playing and ask them if you can be in one of their games. If you're playing against a 4.0 and they are kind, they'll take it easy on you and not smash it too hard at you. Not all 4.0s are so kind, unfortunately. And some people are pressed for playing time so they might not let you into one of their games that day but hopefully they will in the future. Another thing you could do is ask someone you know is a good, experienced player what they think your level of play is. Ask them to be honest and don't take it personally if your rating is only a 2.5. We were all beginners once. It can be a good motivator to practice and play and in the future you can ask them again what level they think you're at. Good luck!

[@bigdog343]

Join a club that has DUPR days. This is the rating system for pballers. One thing you don’t want to do is play with a group that’s way better than you, or that you’re way better than them. Frustrating for all parties.

[@HaroldGuthrie-qc3xb]

I only play with the advanced players when invited. After beating them I thank them and leave. Just kidding about the last part. 😊

[@derrick031072]

If you come from tennis, and been playing forever? You’re most likely a 4 already. Footwork is king. Obsrve PB players, look at their footwork? ur right u dont see it… LOL.

[@playpickleball-com]

usapickleball.org/tournaments/tournament-player-ratings/player-skill-rating-definitions/ Here is a great resource!…another great way is to go challenge someone else who knows their rating and see how you stack up.

[@derarzt5546]

I'll never play in another tournament. There's a world of difference between a 3.0 player in their 70s & a 3.0 rated player in their 30s. Be ware of tournaments that don't take that into account.

[@PelosiStockPortfolio]

Apparently when your opponent says "great shot" you shouldnt reply "thats why I hit it".... Some people get angry over anything

[@wayne6674]

I can't stop cussing at my oppoments. Any suggestions?

[@rj.tv.007]

Question: If you know the ball is going out and you want to call off your partner to not hit it, what is the right thing to yell out And you forgot an unspoken rule: When a ball comes on your court, pick it up and toss it to the correct court. Do not just putt it in the direction it came from because it could have came from a court farther away

[@richbruso4183]

i would also recommend you don't go on an adjacent court to retrieve your ball without asking permission. Otherwise, let them help retrieve it and return it to the next server on your court.

[@playpickleball-com]

Great point! Thank you for providing feedback 👍

[@jimtoneyNoBaloney]

DONT #4 Don't tease players into listening to you for a chance at FREE swag unless you are really going to give them that chance

[@playpickleball-com]

Apologies! We are working on getting the link issue resolved! It should be updated within 24 hours. Everyone will have a chance to enter!

[@playpickleball-com]

@jimtoneyNoBaloney, the link is now in the description. It is also here: Selkirk.com/PPB-1 GOOD LUCK!

[@kay2four]

No link

[@playpickleball-com]

The link is now in the description. It is also here: Selkirk.com/PPB-1 GOOD LUCK!

[@golfmanfl]

ummmm, what link?

[@playpickleball-com]

We are working on getting the link issue resolved! It should be updated within 24 hours.

[@playpickleball-com]

We are working on getting the link issue resolved! It should be updated within 24 hours.

[@golfmanfl]

Great video BTW. Should be required viewing for novice and experienced

[@playpickleball-com]

@@golfmanfl Thank you! The link is now in the description. It is also here: Selkirk.com/PPB-1 GOOD LUCK!

[@markwegner9712]

no link....wtf

[@playpickleball-com]

We are working on getting the link issue resolved! It should be updated within 24 hours.

[@playpickleball-com]

The link is now in the description. It is also here: Selkirk.com/PPB-1 GOOD LUCK!

[@jamesgarza5269]

Please let me/ us know Tia

[@playpickleball-com]

The link is now in the description. It is also here: Selkirk.com/PPB-1 GOOD LUCK!

[@moortojo99]

So no smack talk or celebrating? Sound very equitable.

[@playpickleball-com]

I prefer a little smack talk here and there. Just KIND smack talk😅

[@stratelyze2095]

How about refraining from foul language on public open play. Not everyone wants to hear constantly from same person over and over.

[@playpickleball-com]

Great one!!!

[@johnkaplan7553]

The last don't is a written rule.

[@playpickleball-com]

Thank you!

[@sunnythumbnails]

why does her face look green?

[@Robkpickle]

If the ball from your court rolls onto another court, call BALL! or BALL ON COURT! Goal is to interrupt their game...you do not want them stepping on your ball. They simply and safely replay the point.

[@agsjnsks4538]

How about if you cross the court, do so PROMPTLY! This is not your walk in a park

[@playpickleball-com]

This is a great one!!! Thank you!

[@FredCMitchell]

Your comment about calling a hindrance is 100% wrong. "Hindrance" is not even a pickleball term. Please read the rules to understand what a "hinder" is. It is not something that a player can do! Read also the definition of "distraction." Understand who can call a "distraction." When you get stuff about the rules wrong, hundreds of people who won't ever read the rules assume that what you said was accurate. Read the rules and be correct when you make a video.

[@playpickleball-com]

Thank you for your feedback. If you watch the video again we made a graphic that said *distraction to clarify the speaking error.

[@patricklalyopal]

Lame