The ultimate goal of playing is Joy! and I want you to feel and spread it when you step on the court. I want you to be the player everyone looks forward to playing with.
To be that player you must learn the 32 unwritten rules of pickleball etiquette.
- Treat everyone with respect, I was fortunate enough to have a community that treated me respectfully. Come to the court with a smile, greet fellow players with respect, and remember names.
- Congratulate opponents on their good shot it shows your sportsmanlike behavior, make it a habit.
- Control your emotions, don’t let them overtake you, it’s ok to get excited or frustrated but never lose your calm.
- Be supportive of your partner and have patience for other players who are not at your level.
- Apologize sincerely. When you make a mistake or accidentally hurt someone have some courtesy and apologize.
- Shake hands with your opponents and partners before the game starts. It helps ease the pre-game tension. Try it.
- Be organized and carry a bag, keep your paddles, balls, and other accessories in it, and don’t litter the playing area.
- Don’t cross the boundaries of your court, avoid stepping into the opponent’s side always stay within your court’s boundaries.
- Pass the ball promptly. Most of the players hate (including myself) when the opponent takes too much time to pass you the ball.
- Keep your equipment in good condition and free from damage. This ensures safety and good gameplay.
- Use standard gears that are manufactured according to the rules and regulations.
- Ask to borrow politely, If you forgot then politely ask fellow players to share their gear. If they share then be very careful and return them with gratitude.
- Never smash or throw your paddle, this is highly disrespectful behavior.
- Bring your pickleball equipments don’t depend on other players have your stalk.
- Avoid Collision at all costs. Plan with your partner and cover court areas accordingly,I have seen players colliding just because they were not clear about who was going to take the ball.
- Communicate smartly with your partner so that you can complement each other rather than compete for the ball.
- Don’t be talkative nobody likes to be distracted during the points, it disturbs the focus so please keep communication to a bare minimum.
- Call the score loudly, and correctly, before serving, this is not only mandatory but also comes under common courtesies in pickleball.
- Make fair & Honest line calls and solve line call disputes smartly, give the benefit of the doubt to your opponent, and take the third person’s view if required.
- Don’t trash talk or curse to get into your opponent’s head this is a cheap behaviour and other players will start disliking you.
- Don’t argue, you are not here to win a legal case, it’s a game take it like a game.
- Learn Pickleball rules, it prevents unnecessary disputes and promotes fair play.
- Learn the correct serving technique, don’t try to use fancy techniques or act over-smart to win the point.
- Always keep track of your score, and clarify discrepancies in your score promptly but calmly.
- Don’t try to be brutal or over-competitive you are not playing for your life. Be tactical and use smart shots.
- Have proper attire on the court, and always follow the community guidelines for attire.
- Be mindful of your positions during rallies, If you are playing doubles please don’t block your partner’s vision or way.
- Don’t overshadow your partner, collaborate with them and let them have their chance to shine.
- Inform in advance about plan changes, If you are unable to come to the pre-scheduled game please inform as early as possible.
- Show concern and offer help if your fellow player is injured, always keep a small first-aid kit for use in an emergency.
- Don’t try to be a coach if you are good with the game, be patient and supportive with your partner, everyone is a beginner at some point.
- Keep the court clean and tidy, Don’t litter and if you see trash pick it up and put it in the dustbin.
- Be patient when waiting for your turn to play, and be focused and ready to play when it’s your time to play.
- Celebrate your wins humbly don’t boat or taunt your opponents, be professional every player has a day.
- Thank your opponent for the game shake hands and leave the court gracefully with joy.
- Try to watch the game with decency, If you are in a spectator arena control your excitement, and don’t disturb the players during rallies, your cheers can wait for the points to end.
Are you still reading?
That means you are a sincere and respectful person.
Keep it up, it may appear hard at first but in the end, people will appreciate your class and ethics. After all, we play pickleball because it makes us feel happy.
If I have missed any points and you want to add them tell me in the comment section, I’m more than happy to add them.
You can have a look at official pickleball sportsmanship guide here
See you on the court.