Dear members, Thought you might enjoy this article regarding pickleball play. Please take a few minutes to read. Thanks, Tom Pickleball Etiquette and Suggestions You may be a 2.0 player or a 5.0 player, but in open non-tournament, social play, are you a 1 or a 2? What?? Ones and twos are defined by an important question they quietly ask themselves before playing a game… One: “What player can I partner with who will give me the best chance of winning?” Two: “What combination of the four of us will create the most competitive and most equal game?” Everyone wants to win, ones and twos alike. Most people are ones. As a result, there is an endless, subtle (or not so subtle) manipulation towards getting the best partner. It may be a choice before you walk onto the court, (“Let’s you and I be partners”), or something more indirect, like which side of the net you walk to. While this is less likely to occur when four players are relatively close in ability, as soon as one or two are seen as weaker, the partner dance begins. Sadly, I have seen time after time, this understated shuffling going on, acting as if everything is spontaneous, when in fact, it is far from it. Yet to call someone out about it is almost always met with derision. People don’t like to have it pointed out to them. But it’s there, and it seems like the only way to avoid being on the short end of the exchange, is to play the same shuffle-dance like others. That’s a shame. While there is certainly nothing wrong with wanting to play with a certain partner, there should also be a consideration for your opponents. If you want to play with a partner, you should try to team up with evenly matched opponents. If, for any reason, that’s not possible, you should be willing to split up in order to make the match fairer. If not, then be willing to sit out until you get evenly matched opponents. Or… Playing opponents with one clearly weaker partner: Here is a common situation that provides an opportunity to be selfish, or to be considerate of your opponents. So many players target the clearly weaker opponent and simply run away with the score. There are two effects from this action, both negative. One, the weaker opponent feels bad because he or she is the cause of losing most of the points. No one likes to be in that situation, and also have their confidence undermined with that. Two, it frustrates the better player, as they stand there and watch their partner being constantly attacked. Maybe the rare time the better players gets a ball to hit, is when their own partner hits a weak return, and a put-away shot is fired at them. I have seen players continue to attack my weaker partner, not just at the beginning of a game, but even after the score is 8-0. If you are in a game with one weaker player on the other side of the court, remember what it’s like when you have been paired with a weaker teammate. There are adjustments you can make, without giving up the game or without ruining your own enjoyment, and at the same time make the game more fun for everyone. Don’t target the weaker player all the time. If you have a strong serve, back it off a bit for the weaker opponent. Same with your serve return. If you are at the kitchen in the middle of a firefight, make it with the better opponent. If you are a strong driver with hard shots, aim for the stronger opponent. Maybe work on your drop shots and soft game with the weaker opponent. OTHER SUGGESTIONS BELOW: What kind of line caller are you? There are three kinds of line callers: gracious, debaters, and ‘downright blind’. I bet you can easily recognize all three categories within your own pickleball crowd. Gracious: unless you are completely sure of a call, you give the benefit of the doubt to your opponent. (I know it’s the rule. I’ll get to that.) If there is mutual doubt, you offer to replay the point. You never call a line on your opponent’s side of the court. But if your opponent chooses debate a call on your side, you allow for that, not because you have to, but because you are gracious. If you think your opponent made a mistake on their side, there’s nothing wrong with asking if they are sure about their call. But beyond that, you just let it go. I personally have never met a person where I knew for sure that they were making bad calls on purpose, in order to gain an advantage. They believe they are completely correct in their calls. They could be way off, but because they want a ball to be in (or out) so badly, they convince themselves of a call. Debaters and ‘downright blind’ we all know. There’s not much to be gained by arguing with them. You may choose not to play with them in the future. People like that tend to have a reputation anyway. I have found, in general, that the better the player gets, the more likely it is that they grow into a Gracious line caller. I am fully aware that the rulebook is clear about calls where both team members do not agree. And In tournament play I totally agree. But in social/friendly play, things like replaying a point or giving the benefit of the doubt, make for a better day for everyone. Calling lines from different parts of the court Calling lines on your opponent’s side of the court: Don’t, unless asked. Likewise… Calling lines on your opponent’s end line: Don’t. It’s ok to ask if they are sure, though. Helping your opponent with a line call, and vice versa: Some may disagree with this, but if I am not 100% sure, sometimes I ask my opponent, their opinion on a line call. This promotes goodwill in a friendly game. I have often done this with line calls on the opposite (from me) sideline. I am several feet away looking across the court, but my opponent, directly across from my partner, is looking straight down the line across the net. He or she has a better view-line to make the call than me. Again, in tournament play, if either player is unsure, the call goes to the opponent. Some may feel that friendly matches should abide by this rule. If my opponents feel that way, I respect it. But in friendly play, especially with people you see regularly, an attitude of cooperation and collaboration encourages a much more positive pickleball experience for everyone. Your opponent calling lines on your side of the court: In a friendly game I would seek a consensus. And if not possible, suggest replaying the point. In tournament play the rule is clear. It’s not allowed. But only if I feel my opponent has been contentious or argumentative, will I tactfully remind them that we make the calls on our side of the court. Locking in to 4 players and only playing with them. This occurs more often when there are players of different skill levels. The stronger players only play with each other. They want to keep their game competitive, However, sometimes there are a few other strong players who are selfishly not permitted to rotate in when they ask. This leaves them to play with intermediate or beginners for the rest of the day. This is one of the most offensive and self-centered actions in social pickleball when players of differing skill levels are present. A suggestion for intermediate players who get angry when advanced players are reluctant to play with you. Everyone at some point was where you are, developmentally. Obviously, people are at different skill levels. Playing with, and against people of your own skill level produces more evenly matched games. To ask advanced players to play with one or more intermediate players dramatically changes the game. (When I was a new player and occasionally able to get into a game with experienced players, it was helpful to get a feel for what an advanced game was like. When the advanced players permitted me to join them, I returned the favor by going back, after one game, to the less experienced group. As an advanced player, I do not mind playing with less experienced players, mainly because of how I was treated when I first began playing. But after a game, I want to go back to players of my skill level.) It’s unfair for beginners to ask that advanced players play with them repeatedly. If you are an advanced player, play with an intermediate or beginner. But then feel free to move back to your own lane. If you are a beginner or intermediate, if you want to experience more advanced play, don’t treat it like it’s your right. Consider it a privilege. Once you do play, return to your own skill level. Rick Bond (954.802.1005) I welcome feedback, suggestions, criticism, approval, and snide remarks. If you would like a copy of this email me, at: jhu2522@gmail.com <mailto:jhu2522@gmail.com>

1. Don’t target the weaker player all the time.
2. If you have a strong serve, back it off a bit for the weaker
opponent.
3. Same with your serve return.
4. If you are at the kitchen in the middle of a firefight, make it
with the better opponent.
5. If you are a strong driver with hard shots, aim for the stronger
opponent. Maybe work on your drop shots and soft game with the weaker
opponent.

1. Calling lines on your opponent’s side of the court: Don’t, unless
asked. Likewise…
2. Calling lines on your opponent’s end line: Don’t. It’s ok to ask if
they are sure, though.
3. Helping your opponent with a line call, and vice versa: Some may
disagree with this, but if I am not 100% sure, sometimes I ask my opponent,
their opinion on a line call. *This promotes goodwill in a friendly
game.* I have often done this with line calls on the opposite (from
me) sideline. I am several feet away looking across the court, but my
opponent, directly across from my partner, is looking straight down the
line across the net. He or she has a better view-line to make the call than
me. Again, in tournament play, if either player is unsure, the call goes to
the opponent. Some may feel that friendly matches should abide by this
rule. If my opponents feel that way, I respect it. But in friendly play,
especially with people you see regularly, *an attitude of cooperation
and collaboration encourages a much more positive pickleball experience for
everyone. *
4. Your opponent calling lines on your side of the court: In a
friendly game I would seek a consensus. And if not possible, suggest
replaying the point. In tournament play the rule is clear. It’s not
allowed. But only if I feel my opponent has been contentious or
argumentative, will I tactfully remind them that we make the calls on our
side of the court.

Tom, thank you for sharing. This is so true and a reminder of true sportsmanship especially in Pickleball. Christina Andrianopoulos, MBA MIT Certification-Digital Marketing Analytics University of Massachusetts Medical School Certificate -Bilingual Medical Interpreter Strategic Marketing * Business Operations * Corporate Communications * Public Relations Digital Marketing-Marketing Technology 774.420.4600 <https://www.linkedin.com/in/omegaproductions/> On Mon, Jul 14, 2025 at 9:53 PM Tom Gillooly <tgillooly1@gmail.com> wrote: > Dear members, > Thought you might enjoy this article regarding pickleball play. > Please take a few minutes to read. > Thanks, > Tom > > > > > *Pickleball Etiquette and Suggestions* > > You may be a 2.0 player or a 5.0 player, but in open non-tournament, > social play, *are you a 1 or a 2?* What?? Ones and twos are defined by an > important question they quietly ask themselves before playing a game… > > *One*: “What player can I partner with who will give me the best chance > of winning?” > > *Two:* “What combination of the four of us will create the most > competitive and most equal game?” > > Everyone wants to win, ones and twos alike. Most people are ones. As a > result, there is an endless, subtle (or not so subtle) manipulation towards > getting the best partner. It may be a choice before you walk onto the > court, (“Let’s you and I be partners”), or something more indirect, like > which side of the net you walk to. While this is less likely to occur when > four players are relatively close in ability, as soon as one or two are > seen as weaker, the partner dance begins. > > Sadly, I have seen time after time, this understated shuffling going on, > acting as if everything is spontaneous, when in fact, it is far from it. > Yet to call someone out about it is almost always met with derision. People > don’t like to have it pointed out to them. But it’s there, and it seems > like the only way to avoid being on the short end of the exchange, is to > play the same shuffle-dance like others. That’s a shame. *While there is > certainly nothing wrong with wanting to play with a certain partner, there > should also be a consideration for your opponents.* > > If you want to play with a partner, you should try to team up with evenly > matched opponents. If, for any reason, that’s not possible, you should be > willing to split up in order to make the match fairer. If not, then be > willing to sit out until you get evenly matched opponents. *Or…* > > *Playing opponents with one clearly weaker partner:* Here is a common > situation that provides an opportunity to be selfish, or to be considerate > of your opponents. So many players target the clearly weaker opponent and > simply run away with the score. There are two effects from this action, > both negative. One, the weaker opponent feels bad because he or she is the > cause of losing most of the points. No one likes to be in that situation, > and also have their confidence undermined with that. Two, it frustrates the > better player, as they stand there and watch their partner being constantly > attacked. Maybe the rare time the better players gets a ball to hit, is > when their own partner hits a weak return, and a put-away shot is fired at > them. I have seen players continue to attack my weaker partner, not just at > the beginning of a game, but even after the score is 8-0. > > If you are in a game with one weaker player on the other side of the > court, remember what it’s like when you have been paired with a weaker > teammate. *There are adjustments you can make, without giving up the game > or without ruining your own enjoyment, and at the same time make the game > more fun for everyone. * > > 1. Don’t target the weaker player all the time. > 2. If you have a strong serve, back it off a bit for the weaker > opponent. > 3. Same with your serve return. > 4. If you are at the kitchen in the middle of a firefight, make it > with the better opponent. > 5. If you are a strong driver with hard shots, aim for the stronger > opponent. Maybe work on your drop shots and soft game with the weaker > opponent. > > *OTHER* *SUGGESTIONS* *BELOW:* > > *What kind of line caller are you?* > > There are *three kinds of line callers:* gracious, debaters, and > ‘downright blind’. I bet you can easily recognize all three categories > within your own pickleball crowd. > > *Gracious:* unless you are completely sure of a call, you give the > benefit of the doubt to your opponent. (I know it’s the rule. I’ll get to > that.) If there is mutual doubt, you offer to replay the point. You never > call a line on your opponent’s side of the court. But if your opponent > chooses debate a call on your side, you allow for that, not because you > have to, but because you are gracious. If you think your opponent made a > mistake on their side, there’s nothing wrong with asking if they are sure > about their call. But beyond that, you just let it go. > > I personally have never met a person where I knew for sure that they were > making bad calls on purpose, in order to gain an advantage. They believe > they are completely correct in their calls. They could be way off, but > because they want a ball to be in (or out) so badly, they convince > themselves of a call. > > *Debaters and ‘downright blind’ *we all know. There’s not much to be > gained by arguing with them. You may choose not to play with them in the > future. People like that tend to have a reputation anyway. I have found, in > general, that the better the player gets, the more likely it is that they > grow into a Gracious line caller. > > I am fully aware that the rulebook is clear about calls where both team > members do not agree. And In tournament play I totally agree. But in > social/friendly play, things like replaying a point or giving the benefit > of the doubt, make for a better day for everyone. > > *Calling lines from different parts of the court* > > 1. Calling lines on your opponent’s side of the court: Don’t, unless > asked. Likewise… > 2. Calling lines on your opponent’s end line: Don’t. It’s ok to ask if > they are sure, though. > 3. Helping your opponent with a line call, and vice versa: Some may > disagree with this, but if I am not 100% sure, sometimes I ask my opponent, > their opinion on a line call. *This promotes goodwill in a friendly > game.* I have often done this with line calls on the opposite (from > me) sideline. I am several feet away looking across the court, but my > opponent, directly across from my partner, is looking straight down the > line across the net. He or she has a better view-line to make the call than > me. Again, in tournament play, if either player is unsure, the call goes to > the opponent. Some may feel that friendly matches should abide by this > rule. If my opponents feel that way, I respect it. But in friendly play, > especially with people you see regularly, *an attitude of cooperation > and collaboration encourages a much more positive pickleball experience for > everyone. * > 4. Your opponent calling lines on your side of the court: In a > friendly game I would seek a consensus. And if not possible, suggest > replaying the point. In tournament play the rule is clear. It’s not > allowed. But only if I feel my opponent has been contentious or > argumentative, will I tactfully remind them that we make the calls on our > side of the court. > > *Locking in to 4 players and only playing with them.* This occurs more > often when there are players of different skill levels. The stronger > players only play with each other. They want to keep their game > competitive, However, sometimes there are a few other strong players who > are selfishly not permitted to rotate in when they ask. This leaves them to > play with intermediate or beginners for the rest of the day. This is one of > the most offensive and self-centered actions in social pickleball when > players of differing skill levels are present. > > *A suggestion for intermediate players who get angry when advanced players > are reluctant to play with you. *Everyone at some point was where you > are, developmentally. Obviously, people are at different skill levels. > Playing with, and against people of your own skill level produces more > evenly matched games. To ask advanced players to play with one or more > intermediate players dramatically changes the game. *(When I was a new > player and occasionally able to get into a game with experienced players, > it was helpful to get a feel for what an advanced game was like. When the > advanced players permitted me to join them, I returned the favor by going > back, after one game, to the less experienced group. As an advanced player, > I do not mind playing with less experienced players, mainly because of how > I was treated when I first began playing. But after a game, I want to go > back to players of my skill level.) * > > It’s unfair for beginners to ask that advanced players play with them > repeatedly. If you are an advanced player, play with an intermediate or > beginner. But then feel free to move back to your own lane. If you are a > beginner or intermediate, if you want to experience more advanced play, > don’t treat it like it’s your right. Consider it a privilege. Once you do > play, return to your own skill level. > > Rick Bond (954.802.1005) I welcome feedback, suggestions, criticism, > approval, and snide remarks. If you would like a copy of this email me, at: > jhu2522@gmail.com > _______________________________________________ > Barnstablepickleball mailing list -- > barnstablepickleball@list.barnstablepickleball.com > To unsubscribe send an email to > barnstablepickleball-leave@list.barnstablepickleball.com >