Billy Pickles
Pickleball etiquette encompasses the unwritten rules and courtesies that ensure the game is enjoyable and respectful for everyone involved. Key aspects include serving honestly and calling lines fairly, keeping noise to a minimum to avoid disturbing adjacent courts, and not walking across other courts during a game.
For beginners and seasoned pickleball players alike, understanding and implementing these etiquettes can significantly impact the quality of the game. For instance, effective court positioning, clear communication with your partner, and respecting the boundaries of your side of the court are foundational to successful pickleball doubles strategies.
Additionally, the non-volley zone, or “the kitchen,” requires special attention, as players must navigate these rules carefully to avoid faults and foster fair play.
9 Etiquette Tips for Playing Doubles in Pickleball
Pickleball doubles play requires skill, strategy, and a good understanding of pickleball rules and etiquette to ensure a positive and respectful game environment.
Here are some common etiquette tips for playing doubles on a pickleball court:
1. Communicate Clearly with Your Partner
- Discuss strategies and signals before the game: Decide who will take middle shots or how to signal a switch.
- Use clear verbal cues: Call out “mine,” “yours,” or “switch” to avoid confusion over who should take the shot.
2. Serve and Doubles Scoring
- Announce the score clearly before each serve: Follow the sequence of the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, and the server number (1 or 2).
3. Ball Retrieval
- Handle stray balls safely: If a ball from another court rolls onto yours, call a let and safely return the ball. Never run across another court to retrieve a ball during their play.
- Wait for play to stop: When your ball goes into another court, wait for their play to stop before retrieving it or politely ask them to send the ball back.
4. Respect Boundaries
- Avoid encroaching on another court’s space: Be mindful of your surroundings and the game in progress next to you.
5. Maintain a Positive Attitude
- Encourage your partner: Positive reinforcement can improve morale and performance.
- Show sportsmanship: Congratulate the opposing team on good shots and maintain a respectful demeanor regardless of the game’s outcome.
6. Be Ready to Play
- Stay prepared and attentive: When it’s your turn to serve or receive, be ready to keep the game moving smoothly.
7. Keep the Game Moving
- Pick up balls quickly between points: Serve within a reasonable time frame to maintain the game’s flow.
8. Acknowledge Close Calls
- Give the benefit of the doubt to your opponents: If a ball lands near a line and you’re unsure if it was in or out, it’s good sportsmanship to give the benefit of the doubt to your opponents.
- Consider replaying the point: In cases of disagreement, replaying the point can be a fair solution.
9. End with Good Sportsmanship
- Offer a paddle tap or handshake: Regardless of the match outcome, thank your opponents for the game.
See what pro pickleball player and coach Gina Cilento has to say about communication and sportsmanship in pickleball doubles.
Remember, the essence of pickleball etiquette lies in respect, communication, and sportsmanship.
Common Etiquette Mistakes to Avoid When Playing Doubles in Pickleball
Here are some common etiquette mistakes we keep seeing among people playing doubles in pickleball:
1. Failing to Communicate the Score
- Announce the score loudly and clearly before serving: This prevents confusion and disputes.
2. Hogging the Court
- Share the gameplay equally with your partner: Doubles pickleball is a team effort, and both players should be involved.
3. Crossing Into Another Court Without Permission
- Wait for play to stop before retrieving a ball: Walking across or retrieving a ball from another court while a point is in play is disruptive and disrespectful.
4. Arguing Over Line Calls
- Avoid disputes over line calls: If there’s uncertainty, give the benefit of the doubt to the opponent or consider replaying the point.
5. Not Being Ready
- Stay attentive and in position: Taking too long between points or not paying attention can frustrate other players and disrupt the game’s rhythm.
6. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
- Maintain a positive demeanor: Celebrating opponents’ mistakes, making negative comments, or showing frustration in a way that affects others’ enjoyment of the game goes against the ethos of pickleball.
7. Poor Ball Etiquette
- Return balls properly: Roll them back under the net instead of tossing them or failing to pick up stray balls promptly. This can slow down the game and pose safety risks.
8. Forgetting to Shake Hands or Acknowledge Opponents
- Acknowledge your opponents and partner: Skipping the post-game handshake (or paddle tap) and not acknowledging your opponents and partner’s efforts is considered rude and contrary to the sport’s social nature.
Avoiding these common etiquette mistakes will help ensure a positive, respectful, and enjoyable game experience for everyone involved in doubles pickleball.
How to Become a Good Doubles Partner in Pickleball
Becoming a good doubles partner in pickleball involves more than just having solid playing skills; it requires effective communication, mutual respect, and a strategic mindset.
Communication
- Open and frequent communication: Discuss court positioning and strategies before the game and provide clear, supportive cues during play. This includes calling shots, discussing who will cover the middle, and signaling when to switch positions.
Support and Encouragement
- Be supportive: Encourage your teammate through both successes and mistakes, fostering a positive and motivating environment. This positivity can significantly impact team morale and performance.
Sportsmanship
- Practice good sportsmanship: Respect opponents and follow pickleball etiquette, which reflects well on the team and contributes to a respectful and enjoyable game atmosphere.
Why Should Pickleball Etiquette Be Important to You?
Pickleball etiquette is vital because it fosters a respectful, enjoyable, and fair environment for all players. Adhering to these basic rules of pickleball ensures smooth gameplay, minimizes conflicts, and promotes positive interactions among participants.
- Reflects sportsmanship and respect: Good etiquette fundamentals reflect sportsmanship and respect for opponents and partners alike.
- Contributes to the overall health and growth of the pickleball community: Following etiquette helps maintain a positive atmosphere, encouraging more people to participate and enjoy the game.
FAQ
Q. What should I do if a ball from another court rolls onto mine?
If a ball from another court rolls onto yours, call a let and safely return the ball. Never run across another court to retrieve a ball during their play.
Q. How should I handle close line calls in pickleball?
If a ball lands near a line and you’re unsure if it was in or out, it’s good sportsmanship to give the benefit of the doubt to your opponents. In cases of disagreement, consider replaying the point.
Q. What is the proper way to return a ball to the server?
Return balls properly by rolling them back under the net instead of tossing them. This helps maintain the flow of the game and ensures safety.
Q. How can I improve communication with my doubles partner?
Discuss strategies and signals before the game, and use clear verbal cues like “mine,” “yours,” or “switch” during play to avoid confusion over who should take the shot.
Q. Why is it important to maintain a positive attitude during a game?
Maintaining a positive attitude encourages your partner, improves morale, and enhances overall performance. It also reflects good sportsmanship and contributes to a respectful and enjoyable game atmosphere.
By following these guidelines and understanding the importance of pickleball etiquette, you can ensure a respectful, enjoyable, and fair environment for all players.
