Court Etiquette
Pickleball is a "social" sport. This generally means that pickleball is as much about interacting and socializing with people as it is about physical activity and competition. This "social" culture around pickleball is one defining characteristic of the sport itself. In connection with that unique culture, it is important to understand some "pickleball etiquette" tips before hitting the pickleball court. These include:
Introduce Yourself to New Players - Before starting a pickleball game with new people, be sure to introduce yourself to others.
Do Not Cross a Pickleball Court During a Point - Avoid crossing over a pickleball court when a point is ongoing. This includes avoiding entering the baseline area or the sideline area.
If a ball comes onto your court from an adjacent court, stop play by calling “ball” and pick up the loose ball. Ask the people on the adjacent court who gets the ball, and then hit or throw it back to that person as best you can.
Conversely, if you are the person on the adjacent court who wants the ball back, please raise your hand or your paddle so they know to whom to return the ball.
Before serving the ball to your opponents, make sure the receiver is ready.
Call the Score Loudly - When you are serving, be sure to call the score loudly so that your opponents can hear you.
Line calls are the responsibility of the receiving side.
You should not call faults or other line calls on the other side of the net unless asked to do so.
If you are on the receiving team and your partner calls a ball out that you think may have been in, tell your partner you disagree and attempt to resolve the disagreement between you.
If your team cannot agree on the line call, then the call goes in favour of your opponents. If an erroneous line call interferes with a player’s play, then the point should be replayed.
At the end of a game, players who just finished their game must exit the court so that the waiting players can come onto to your vacated court. We must insist on this and appreciate your cooperation.
Know the Rules - Do your best to know and understand the rules of pickleball. This will help avoid disputes on the pickleball court and ensure that everyone is playing by the same set of rules.
"Paddle Tap" After Every Game - After every game, players meet at the pickleball net to tap pickleball paddles - either with the head or butt of the pickleball paddle. When paddle tapping, also consider giving your opponents a compliment - for instance, "great game", “thanks for the game”, “you played well.”
Advice & Instruction - Many players appreciate advice and tuition from players who are more advanced. Many will actively seek such advice. However, please DO NOT give advice or instruction to another player during or after a game unless it is asked for.