You’ve learned the game. Now, you’re ready to start playing.

But wait just a minute! There’s still more to learn about pickleball. If you’re lucky enough to have friends in the sport, you can tag along with them. However, if you’re starting alone (or just want to be informed before you play), you’ll need to learn all about the importance of etiquette.

Yes, etiquette.

Like any other sport, there are unspoken rules surrounding pickleball. It’s not enough to know the rules; you’ll also want to understand the culture.

Pickleball Players Are a Social Bunch!

A quick glance at the basics of the sport will immediately tell you something important about this game…

Pickleball is a very, very social game! Players are all about having fun, playing fair, and showing goodsportsmanship. In fact, fairness and sportsmanship are the core tenets of most pickleball clubs. You just can’t play pickleball and be a jerk. (Well… You can, but you won’t find many people willing to play with you.)

The five core principles of the sport are as follows:

• Courtesy
• Honesty
• Respect
• Safety
• Sportsmanship

It’s not only a game; it’s a lifestyle!

And, as you’d expect from a group that so values sportsmanship, everyone is expected to abide by the unspoken code of conduct — even the most experienced players.

General Pickleball Etiquette

Let’s start with some of the basics.

These rules aren’t necessarily about the game; instead, they focus on the courts and those who use them. Unless you’re lucky enough to have a private venue, you’ll likely be sharing the pickleball court with one or more teams.

This is great for the social aspect of the sport, but poor etiquette can lead to frayed nerves. These guidelines are meant to alleviate that tension.

Abide By All Pickleball Court Rules

It may seem silly to say such a thing, but it’s true!

Abide by any house rules on a pickleball court. Many of these rules — such as dress codes and crowd limits — are designed for your safety. Other regulations are common courtesies to nearby residents. As an example, some courts ban play after certain hours. Others request that players refrain from playing music.

You may not agree with these rules, but that doesn’t make you immune to them! Remember: Pickleball courts are a privilege, not a right. Failing to heed a court’s rules may result in a ban, leaving you without an active court to play on.

Care for Your Pickleball Courts

Here’s another common sense bit of court etiquette: Respect the pickleball court.

If you want a clean, well-maintained court, you must be part of the maintenance crew. Clean up after yourselves by removing trash and debris from the playing area when you’re done. It’s proper etiquette and the right thing to do.

Similarly, take note of the state of the court when you arrive. It’s good court etiquette to return the court to its original status when you’re done. For example, if an outdoor court has a gate, close it before you leave! Likewise, if an indoor court requests that you turn off the lights before leaving, be sure to do so. It may seem like small stuff, but the people waiting to play after you will appreciate the effort. (And the maintenance crew will, too!)

Be Mindful of Other Players

Furthermore, you’re not the only person on the court!

Be mindful of any other team playing nearby.

Don’t be a nuisance! Avoid interrupting existing games and annoying others.

Music is a common sore spot. As much as you may love your tunes, be aware that others may not be as interested. Keep the volume low, or use headphones when other players are nearby.

Again, be mindful that some courts ban music or loud noises. If a court requests that you leave the music at home, do so. If you must have some beats to listen to, you can probably find an accommodating court elsewhere.

Similarly, keep the atmosphere light! If the other team seems disinterested in cross-court discussion, leave them be. Sometimes, other players just want to enjoy the game, and that’s okay! Pushing the matter only creates an off-putting atmosphere, which ruins the game for everyone. (Yes, the summary of this paragraph is, essentially, “Don’t be a creep.”)

If courts are grouped in a single spot, be mindful of where you place your belongings. Bags and clothing become tripping hazards in the heat of the game! Moreover, your personal items may inadvertently prevent a player with physical limitations from entering the court.

Be Open to Playing With Others

If you’re on a public court, be aware that you may come across players with vastly different skill levels.

That’s okay!

Everyone starts somewhere, and it takes time to become a pro. Your status as an advanced player doesn’t make you any better than new players. Don’t be afraid to share a friendly game with someone new.

Who knows? The seemingly weakest players may surprise you.

Pickleball Court Etiquette

Now that we know the basics, let’s dig into the meat of the game.

For this portion of the blog post, I’ll focus on the unspoken rules of gameplay. While some of these tips are outright good sportsmanship, others serve to make the game safer.

The Paddle Rack

One of the first things you’ll need to master is the pickleball paddle rack. These devices serve two purposes. Obviously, they hold player’s paddles until it’s time to play. However, at many locations, they also serve as a right-of-way (or, shall I say, right of play) indicator.

What I’m about to explain is a general guideline. Every pickleball court has its own system. If you’re ever unsure of a particular court’s practices, ask someone for help! Pickleball players are a friendly and hospitable bunch; don’t be shy.

The simplest method involves placing paddles in the rack from left to right. The newest arrivals place paddles in the first available slots to the right, while waiting players (and those who are up next to play) have paddles on the left. As games progress, players take their paddles from the awaiting spots to begin a new game, moving the other paddles to the left as needed.

Fancier courts have baked-in court etiquette. These locations have pre-labeled paddle racks. Again, players place their paddles left-to-right; the newest arrivals go on the far right. However, these courts have either movable or pre-printed labels to indicate which team (or, in the case of solo matches, player) is up next. Many also have additional information for each rack, such as the corresponding court identifier.

Now, I cannot stress enough that these are guidelines. Every court has its own system. If you’re new to a court, I suggest waiting a few rounds and observing the process. Alternatively, ask some waiting players about the unspoken rules of the area.

Share the Court

Speaking of taking turns…

Be sure to do a bit of research before you head out to play pickleball.

In recreational play, each team usually gets one game (with varied scoring) before leaving the court. Some courts ask that both teams leave, while others allow the winning team to stay on the court. This gives everyone plenty of time to play, and you get time to rest between games.

After a game is finished, it’s customary to declare that the court is ready. The standard practice is to yell, “Court open.”

If there are more than two courts, be mindful of “crossing the court.” In other words, you may have to wait a few minutes to start playing. Universal pickleball etiquette abides by the following rules:

• Attempt to obtain eye contact or an affirmative nod before crossing the court
• Avoid crossing an active court
• Begin play promptly upon your turn
• Do not interrupt the play of others
• Leave the court quickly when your game is finished

Outside of the game, be mindful of others.

Stretch and rest in appropriate places. Many courts are conveniently located within public parks, so you’ll have plenty of room to spread out. That being said, don’t run too far away! You’ll still need to keep an eye on the paddle rack.

Consider Labeling Your Equipment

Many players will also label their paddles and balls.

This is not because pickleball players have sticky fingers! In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Most players will go out of their way to return lost equipment. Printing out a few name labels and sticking them to your paddles is just a friendly insurance policy. If you lose your paddle, you’re likely to get it back. Likewise, if you find someone else’s stray paddle, you’re expected to return it.

While we’re on the topic, it’s also a good idea to buy a few balls of your own. (I suggest having at least two balls, perhaps three!) In addition to giving you the means to practice at home, having some spare balls opens social doors during open play!

Don’t worry about losing your ball, either. It will be returned to you at the end of the game.

Know the Rules

Pickleball is like many other sports; the vast majority of games are friendly matches. You’re unlikely to stumble across tournament play unless you actively seek it out. You’re much more likely to encounter “open play,” which encourages mixed skill levels.

Of course, everyone will be expected to know the basics. You’ll need to know the basics before you play, especially on crowded public courts.

A good game may put you across the court from a team of extremely experienced players; or, maybe, you get to teach some newcomers your tricks. Thanks to the gentle nature of the sport, you’ll also find plenty of mixed abilities, so be mindful of a person’s physical limitations when playing. (And, yes, that includes yours!)

Regardless of who you play with — whether they’re advanced players or lower-level players — abusive language is never tolerated. That’s just common courtesy, and it’s a well-established rule in every sport. Your local court is not a soap opera set. Everyone is there to have fun, so don’t be that person.

What Is the “Paddle Tap?”

Finally, let’s clear the air about one of the most unique unwritten rules of the sport.

Experienced players have likely seen many of these, but newcomers may be baffled to see opposing teams tapping the handle of their paddles together. This move, known as the “paddle tap,” is a longstanding practice in the sport, although its usage varies.

For some, this pickleball equivalent of a handshake is done at the beginning and end of a match. Others reserve the practice for only the beginning or end of a great game. As some pickleball matches cover multiple games, players may end up tapping paddles multiple times in a single sitting.

The gesture is meant as a show of good sportsmanship, a sort of “thank you for the game” shorthand. As such, you don’t need to follow through if you’d prefer to do something else. Plenty of players prefer to say “thank you.” Fist bumps and handshakes are also acceptable alternatives. However, if someone offers a paddle tap, it’s good manners to return the gesture.

If you happen to find yourself in a tournament setting, be mindful of the rules. Some organizations ask that you refrain from this practice altogether, while others only ask you to wait until the end of a match.

The Unwritten Rules of the Game

Speaking of the game, it’s finally time to look at some of the hands-on elements of pickleball etiquette.

These “rules” revolve around the actual pickleball game. They keep courts safe, ensure fair play, and guarantee that everyone practices good sportsmanship. (And we’ll have a bit more about sportsmanship at the end of this post.)

It’s Only a Game

First and foremost, remember that pickleball is a friendly social game for many. The only place for aggressive dunking is a basketball court or an official tournament setting. (And you probably shouldn’t do any aggressive dunks on the basketball court, either!)

Even as a stronger player, it’s your responsibility to keep yourself in line. You’ll likely face several players, all of whom will be at different skill levels.

That’s not to say you have to let the weaker player win. You can be competitive; just don’t go overboard! Optics aside, aggressive play against an inexperienced opposing team is extremely dangerous. Newer players tend to be unaware of what constitutes good play, and forcing them to perform above their abilities is a surefire way to hurt someone.

During recreational play, advanced players should act as tutors to newer pickleball players. This makes open play more accessible and ensures that everyone has a great time! You may even find that those other players are great additions to your friend group.

Summarily: Former tennis players beware! Pickleball is not the place for high-stakes antics.

Give Everyone the Benefit of the Doubt

Continuing from that point, remember that every skill level is prone to making mistakes. Even the most advanced players can make a bad line call. That’s okay! There’s no need to stop play and argue. In fact, many players err on the side of caution and avoid calling faults unless they’re absolutely certain it’s happened.

This “benefit of the doubt” approach has multiple perks:

• Encourages diverse experiences in rec play
• Encourages generous line calls
• Helps newcomers build their skills and become better players
• Makes the game more accessible to lower-level players
• Reduces aggression and cuts down on arguments

Graceful faulting is also a key component of open play, as it gives every team a chance to play a sport they absolutely love!

Call Out a Stray Ball

Now, this section may as well be part of the official rules!

If you hit a stray ball, stop play and immediately alert anyone in its path. This is commonly done by yelling, “Ball!” Aside from being a nice thing to do, this is a safety measure! Stray balls have the potential to disrupt games or cause injuries to players on an adjacent court, especially if hit by a stronger player.

Similarly, if stray balls fall on the wrong side of the court or into another group’s area, wait to retrieve your equipment. Spot where the ball lands, then wait until the other team pauses. Usually, they’ll send the ball back to you. If not, you can retrieve it once you’re acknowledged.

Note that players should always alert others to stray balls, even if there are no nearby pickleball courts. Thanks to their texture and shape, pickleball balls are surprisingly slippery. An unaware passerby can easily trip or slide on a loose ball, and you don’t want that on your conscience.

Know How to Return a Stray Ball

Similarly, you should know how to return a stray ball.

There are multiple ways to do this, and your choice depends on your environment.

The safest and most widely accepted way to return a ball is to roll it back to the appropriate team. This should only be done when the pathway is clear. Furthermore, you must ensure that the ball will not interrupt another group’s game. Be sure to get their attention, too, so they notice the ball coming back!

If something is in the way, it’s also acceptable to gently toss the ball to the appropriate court. The same rules apply as before. The court should be clear, and the other team should be aware of the ball’s imminent return.

Of course, you can always walk the ball over to the right players! Don’t linger for too long, though. Everyone wants a chance to play, and an active game is no place for idle chatter.

The final method is the most controversial, as it can be extremely dangerous. Serving the ball back may be an instinctual reaction from tennis players, but it’s generally frowned upon in pickleball. In an open play setting, this tactic can cause injuries or distractions on the other court. It’s also a tad rude.

Practice Good Sportsmanship

Finally, we get to the unofficial rules of conduct.

Thanks to its roots in community fun and lighthearted competition, pickleball etiquette places heavy emphasis on good sportsmanship. You won’t meet many well-respected pickleball players with short fuses and massive egos, because that’s the exact antithesis of the game!

Be graceful, be grateful, and remember that you’re on the court to play pickleball! It’s not a competition, and even tournament-style play eschews poor conduct.

A few basic sportsmanship tips for the game include:

• Be Honest: Everyone makes mistakes! If you know you’ve committed a fault, call it!
• Celebrate Lightly: Short dances and fist pumps are fine, but save the minute-long battle cries for another game.
• Respect Others: Treat the opposing player with respect. Don’t let your frustration get the best of you.

Improve Your Pickleball Game

At the end of the day, it’s all about having fun!

Respect others, and they’ll respect you.

Remember that everyone is there to play pickleball, so join in the fun! If you want to learn even more about the sport, be sure to check the rest of the blog.