scene on the court
Spotlight on Sportsmanship
By Craig Laughlin
A . K . A . “ THE PICKLEBALL CURMUDGEON ”
KNOW THE RULES
Pickleball is a highly social game — valued by many as much for the relationships and fun as the exercise and competition the sport offers . Good sportsmanship is essential to developing and maintaining these relationships , and avoiding conflicts that can undermine them .
When USA Pickleball ’ s director of officiating and rules committee chair , Mark Peifer , recognized the need for a document to define specific behaviors not covered by the Official Rulebook to promote mutual respect , courtesy , consideration , and fair play among pickleball players ( i . e ., good sportsmanship ), he formed a team of USA Pickleball Ambassadors , and your faithful Pickleball Curmudgeon , to develop the “ USA Pickleball Sportsmanship Guide .”
Among the more powerful peacekeeping behaviors listed in the guide is this : “ Know the Official Rules of Pickleball , apply them fairly , and cooperate in any situation that is not expressly covered by the rules .”
Curiously , not everyone sees the importance of reading the rules when learning a new sport . Even more curiously , many of these people are most vociferous when expressing their opinion on a situation covered by a rule they ’ ve obviously never read . For example , the rules on player communication are very clear . They read as follows : 6 . D . 11 . While the ball is in the air , if a player yells “ out ,” “ no ,” “ bounce it ,” or any other words to communicate to their partner that the ball may be out , it shall be considered player communication only and not considered a line call .
6 . D . 12 . An “ out ” call made after the ball bounces is a line call . The ball is dead , and play shall stop . If , upon appeal , the referee overrules any type of “ out ” call , it is a fault against the player or team that made the “ out ” call .
The rules are unambiguous : Yelling “ out ” is specifically mentioned as a permissible way to communicate to your partner that a ball “ may ” be heading out . Nevertheless , I ’ ve had players get red in the face while insisting they had just won a rally because my partner played a ball after I yelled “ out ” while it was in the air — and that the ball was dead at that moment .
Likewise , I had a similar exchange on the Pickleball Forum , after someone posted that “ Bounce it ” should be used to communicate to your partner when you think a ball is going out . When I replied I that don ’ t find “ Bounce it ” to be particularly helpful when a ball is headed for the back fence at warp speed , I was told — in no uncertain terms — that “ out is out , not in ” and that to speak the word
“ out ” to my partner while the ball is in the air is a hinder . Conversations like these , when one party argues their position ( as my dearly departed father liked to say ) with both feet firmly planted in mid-air , invite conflict . Such conflict could be easily avoided if everyone would simply learn the rules . This , of course , is why the Sportsmanship Guide admonishes us to do so . I understand how hearing your opponent yell “ out ” while the ball is in the air might confuse someone who hasn ’ t read the rules . When such player communication causes a beginner to stop playing , I believe the sportsmanlike thing to do is to explain the rule and give them a replay — so I do . Rather than argue , they usually say , “ Thank you ” and remember the rule going forward . That too is the sportsmanlike thing to do .
Always remember , good sportsmanship is in your court . •