A blog | Pickleball- A simple game, simple rules, complex unwritten rules.

Pickleball is a sport that offers recreation, exercise, socializing, and community formation. It’s not Zumba, yoga, or aerobics… not anymore. It is a sport; like every sport, there are written and unwritten rules. I often joke that the unwritten rules of pickleball are much more complicated than the written rules. 

While the sport has been around since the 1960s, its popularity has grown immensely in recent years. The fastest-growing demographic playing pickleball is the 19-24 age group, so it’s no longer a recreational exercise for a specific demographic. It’s a professional sport (like hockey, basketball, etc.) now. As a professional sport (MLP, APP, PPA, IFP, USAPPA, etc..), it is nascent and will undergo a normal evolution and organization.

There’s speculation it may be in the Olympics by 2030. If Paris could push breakdancing in its 2024 games, another host nation might include pickleball. Why not, eh? 

My personal experience: I started playing pickleball in the summer of 2023. I invested time in clinics, beginner sessions, watching YouTube, and playing different-level players. I invest time, effort, and money in my interests. I still think like a beginner with a learning mindset. When I started playing a few months ago, I approached advanced-level players, and I would let them know I was a beginner, take their tips, and act on them. It was well appreciated, and I was often accepted into the gameplay. I still make mistakes but recognize them and try to work on them. I treat it as a sport and respect players who are serious about their game and progress. I rarely faced severe or unfriendly players, which may not always be a pleasant experience. However, I didn’t take it personally or run around complaining. It's just a game. Instead, I took it as a challenge to improve my game and beat them on the courts. 

My time is precious, and I respect your time, too.

I play with beginners/novices sometimes and offer tips if they are willing to accept them. However, I want to progress my game, so I play specific sessions and certain players in some sessions. That’s my choice; similarly, every player makes their own choices. I cannot be compelled to play a different way. I respect it if a few players feel I won’t be a good matchup and do not have me in the foursome on the court. I don’t take it personally and complain. I will prove them wrong through my gameplay. I love that challenge.

It’s a sport accessible to learn, quick to progress in, and challenging to master. This throws up situations in community centers and pickleball communities, primarily from court and player availability. 

“Player X refused to play with me.”

“Player Y is a beginner who doesn’t know the rules and basic gameplay.” 

“They are playing among themselves. “ 

“How do I improve if I do not play advanced players?” 

“Isn’t this recreational play? Why are you tagging, smashing, and targeting?”

“I was targeted with a Nasty Nelson. Is that acceptable?” 

 These and many more are often heard on pickleball courts around the world. There’s no rule or formula to resolve this.  

However, I am borrowing text from the NOTL Pickleball Club and the USA Pickleball Sportsmanship Guide to help with a common perspective.

1. You don’t need to read the rules for Zumba, Aerobics, Yoga, or other exercises. This is Pickleball, a sport, so know the Official rules of Pickleball, apply them fairly, and cooperate in any situation not expressly covered by the rules.
2. Understanding the facility: Each facility is different. For pickleball, the ideal ratio of players to courts for a 2-hour session is 18 players to 3 courts. A community center is meant for open and public play. So, if you are the 25th person to turn up at a community center that does not limit the number of attendees, do not expect a lot of playing time. Understand the practices and constraints of the facility you go to and play accordingly. In social play, rotate on and off courts fairly and courteously and follow the local practice. A Pickleball club facility is managed very differently with pre-booking, limited players per session, sessions by playing level, etc.
3. Playing Down: It's essential to be open to playing with less-skilled players and avoid aggressively targeting weaker opponents. Avoid forcefully hitting the ball directly at others. Occasionally, players may play with friends or partners at a lower skill level, which is acceptable. However, those playing down should moderate their intensity to ensure that players at lower skill levels enjoy the game. Prioritize safety and use common sense.
4. Playing Up: Instead of demanding to play with more skilled players, politely ask if you can join them. Playing at a higher level can be challenging, and including a weaker player may disrupt the overall gameplay. Caution is advised when participating in sessions beyond your skill level. Some players may aspire to play above their level to identify weaknesses and improve, which can be done in all-level sessions via polite requests or fun scrambles. Respect and adherence to a code of conduct are crucial in these situations.
5. Play Levels: Support the learning and development of all players, whether they play for fun, seek a competitive setting, or aim for tournament-level play. Every player deserves equal respect and access to sessions at their current or emerging skill level. There is no obligation for players of different levels to play each other. Play at your level, even if it means using separate courts for different skill levels in the same session.
6. Conduct: Avoid telling another player they don't belong in a particular session. Respect the intent and effort of every player (Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, or Advanced), recognizing their commitment of time, effort, and money to achieve their goals on the court. No player (Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, or Advanced) can be forced to play with others in a specific session, whether in all-level or competitive sessions, especially in a community center where sessions are not structured by playing levels.
7. Tournament Preparation Etiquette: When preparing for a tournament with a specific partner, respect other participants in any session. Refraining from engaging in play below the tournament level being practiced is crucial. The partners may split and play with others during a session while aiming to achieve a certain level of gameplay. Other players should respect the choice of players prepping for a tournament to practice with their partner and encourage it.

Ved