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By Jennifer Lucore & Alex Hamner
Yep , It ’ s Time to Recap Some Rules
Here are nine pickleball rules that are mustdo — except these rules are unwritten . They also double as etiquette . And , most likely , some people ’ s pet peeves ! It doesn ’ t matter whether a teen or a super senior — we ’ ve seen all ages with very bad etiquette . And to be transparent , our list surely doesn ’ t cover it all , but there ’ s only so much room on this page . 1 . If you don ’ t know the other players on the court , introduce yourself . Then tap paddles both before the match starts ( good luck / have fun ) and after every game ends ( good game / thanks for playing ). Make sure to tap paddles before the game every time there ’ s a new foursome !
2 . If you ’ re not playing , don ’ t call lines or faults unless you are specifically asked about it . And for sure don ’ t make disparaging remarks — all those things could be disruptive at best , and illegal ( if a tournament ) at worst !
3 . If a ball rolls onto your court , pick it up and return it to the court from where it came . Try to get it to the server when possible . And return only the ball that came over ; don ’ t give them a different ball .
4 . When entering or exiting a court that isn ’ t yours , wait until the play has subsided before crossing a court . It ’ s distracting ( and disrespectful ) to trespass on a court that ’ s not yours . And don ’ t casually saunter across the court — give it a little hustle so the game ’ s disruption is kept to a minimum .
5 . Close the gate after you go through it . It ’ s safer for the players and helps keep the balls inside the enclosure .
6 . Follow the rules about court usage for the facility where you are currently playing ; they may be different than where you usually play .
7 . Don ’ t be a court hog , and don ’ t be a ball hog either ! Everyone came to play , and that means getting their turn on the court as well as getting to hit the ball .
8 . The most fun games occur when the foursome is of similar skill . But advanced players should still play the occasional game with lesser skilled players .
9 . The most important rule of all ? Have fun every time you are on the court . Life ’ s too short to be a funsucker . •
Alex Hamner and Jennifer Lucore began playing and competing in pickleball in 2010 and have both been inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame . They are on the Board of Directors at Naples Pickleball Center , the Pickleball Capital of the World . They are best known for winning Women ’ s Open Doubles at Nationals for four consecutive years ( 2011-2014 ). For more pickleball fun , visit Jennifer ’ s blog at
allpickleball . com .