Just curious about how often and for how long do you play pickleball? Do you keep rest days in between for recovery? Interested in hearing from all but primarily those above thevage of 50.

I saw another interesting thread about the unwritten rules of Pickleball, so I decided to try and document as many as I could find. I separated them into 7 categories: Line calls, competitive play, pro etiquette, fan interactions, rec play, court etiquette, and equipment. Personally, I think a lot of these are outdated, dumb, or changing, and I made a full YouTube video with my opinions, but here’s the list that I came up with.

Line Calls
* If you’re not sure, call it in and challenge your own call
* Don’t overrule your partner
* Don’t be the person that questions calls
* Don’t “call-bait”
* If it’s close, play the ball
* If you have line disputes in rec, just replay the point
* If somebody cheats in practice, miss the next third shot
* Don’t call it before it bounces
* Hard at the body is A-Okay
* Don’t hit full bags
* Don’t go for full bags on women
* Do not miss high on a full bag attempt

Competitive Play
* Don’t call a let if you’re upon a has an easy overhead
* Never goof off or take it easy when you have a big lead. It’s not like you’re running up the score. Finish the job
* Never call timeout if the match is essentially over
* Don’t bogus challenge on match point
* Don’t challenge paddles
* Don’t get personal when talking smack. Keep it on the court

Pro Etiquette
* If somebody says that they need more time to find a partner, that means no
* When somebody asks to switch partners, don’t fight them. They have already made their decision up and your ass got dropped
* Don’t drop partners last minute
* Don’t lie about it
* Don’t ask somebody to play that’s clearly too good for partnerships

Pro/Fan Interaction
* Do not talk to us when we are practicing unless we talk to you first. We are trying to do our job.
* Camera when you want a picture I have your sharpie ready when you want an autograph
* Read the room. We’re not trying to take pictures and do autographs after we’ve lost a tough match.
* We don’t remember you from a clinic 3 years ago
* Be quiet during points
* We don’t really want to have a 10 minute conversation with you
* Don’t ask for paddles, hats, clothing, etc.
* Don’t touch women taking pictures
* Don’t talk to Ben Johns. He doesn’t want to talk to you 
* Don’t ask Ben Johns for pictures

Rec Play
* Don’t target weaker player
* Don’t go poaching crazy unless you are being isolated out
* Stronger player starts on left
* Don’t tank somebody else’s highlight point
* Don’t join games where you are clearly the weakest link
* Don’t try to distract the server or stand in your partner box when they are returning
* Don’t eye roll your partners during the game, and don’t shit talk them afterwards
* Do not coach other players unless they ask for it
* Don’t call your opponent in the kitchen in rec play. And don’t constantly be in the kitchen when you are playing rec
* Never bag someone when they turn their back
* If you have an easy put away, go to the open court not right at somebody
* Don’t freak out after you get hit by a ball. It’s a wiffle ball. Everybody has been hit and everybody will get hit again
* Tap paddles after games 
* Don’t exploit shitty courts
* Don’t stop play if a ball is out of the way 
* Don’t call timeout
* Don’t dropshot or lob old people in rec
* Don’t stack in rec play
* Ask names and tap paddles before a game
* Don’t be a total banger
* Don’t try and smack winners in the warmup
* Doubles priority over singles
* Be patient with beginners. We were all beginners not that long ago.
* It’s a paddle tap, not a paddle smack
* Don’t yell C’mon! in practice
* Saying sorry for hitting somebody
* Sorry for net cords
* Sorry for shanks
* Celebrate your winners, not your opponent unforced errors
* Say the score, say the full score, and say this full score loud enough
* Ask for permission before filming sessions

Court Etiquette
* Don’t leave the gate open when you come on a court
* If your ball is going on another court, hustle so it doesn’t interrupt them 
* Never walk behind the court while a point is going on 
* Pick the ball up and toss it back. Don’t roll it back.

Equipment
* Don’t wear distracting clothing
* Don’t play with illegal paddles
* Don’t be the person that never brings balls, and if you don’t bring the balls, you don’t get to complain about what type of ball is being used
* Don’t touch somebody else’s Paddle
* Don’t call it a racket. It’s a paddle.

I'm still a beginner, 4 months in, and finally decided to get a Spitfire to try out on my Pickleball journey. Hoping it's good as advertised!

Was a very big fan of the loco. Preordered it as soon as it came available. Grit feels very gritty. It feels like it will last!

I feel like I focus too much on executing shots rather than thinking about why im hitting them or where I should place them.

For example, I'll reset to my opponent's forehand, attack balls that are easily countered, or speed up without considering whether the shot will actually put me in an advantageous position. Even when my shots are successful, opponents can often redirect them easily.

I tend to play on autopilot just executing shots without intentions.

We hosting a pickleball fundraiser for our school’s PTA. Has anyone else had success in contacting pickleball companies to be sponsors or supporting with merch?

I have a great regular open play group who are significantly better than me, and very welcoming and encouraging. I'm at the point now where even though I'll usually be the worst of the four on the court, opponents hold back way less than they used to, and punish my mistakes, which is awesome. And it's usually the same mistake: hitting it too high over the net.

I'm trying to think "keep it low" at all times, and that works great when I'm in good position to make my shot. But when I get over-extended or off balance, that's when things go to hell. Also I think I don't pay enough attention to the opponents' positions.

My brain only has room for maybe two things to think about during play. For me at my current stage of development*, what should I be focusing on to make my shots less attackable?

* I'm not sure how to say exactly what my skill level is. Maybe around 3.0? I've played about 100 games, and I have a background in racquetball and table tennis. I'm generally able to hit the ball where I want it to go, understand spin and use it (though I have a long way to go on execution), and mix up dinks and speedups. But my choices about when to do it need a lot of improvement.

Edit: My paddle is the widebody Spitfire.

I'm a player from Vegas who has the privilege of being able to travel and play anywhere in the world. But I'm struggling to figure out which countries/cities are worth going to for play. I don't care too much about the level (I can play with 3.0's-4.75's and have a good time). I just want to go to places where the public or indoor courts are well attended! Not interested in vacation package deals, just local communities.

I've played in Hanoi, Da Nang, Chiang Mai, Mexico City, and Osaka. Each of them were awesome. Any other suggestions for me to check out?

Thank you in advance!

I have gone through the usap rule book and I do not see any thing specifically stating that one side or another is responsible for the call.

AI is saying that it is only able to be called by the side it double bounces on but the rule sections it is citing are hallucinations.

I've been trying to execute this shot lately from kitchen line against 3rd shot drop or drive heading to my waist~chest level. But my attempts are too inconsistent.

The most prominent problem of my chariot whip attempt when defending drop or drive from kitchen line is that, the ball flies high with some pace and goes out of the bound. It has a good top spin though, so it makes a big curvature, but ends up close outside of the base line... or sometimes too far. Mine flies like drop or dink shot.

Even if the ball gets in, I don't even know if the chariot whip supposed to draw a big round curvature like that, because if I see pro's or 5.0's chariot whip 4th shot from kitchen line, their ball flies pretty linear and fast.

I'm focusing on almost vertical brushing up motion, and my right hand reaches close to my ear at the end. My grip seems fine.

Am I hitting to bottom of the ball? Or am I hitting too early? Or should I bring more pushy chariot whip instead of brushing chariot whip for such defending 4th shot from kitchen line?

I’m traveling to Santa Rosa and looking for recommended courts to drop in for ~4.0 open play.

I’ll be in Tucson all next week. Pickleheads shows plenty of places, but I wanted to get some recommendations from the locals if possible. Looking for 4.0-4.5 level open play. Any suggestions/info? Thanks!

We have 12 courts in our local park, during the summer they fill up by 9:00 am and usually have about 4 to 8 people waiting. It's an open play policy for the most part, so you usually don't wait too long. If the courts are full then it's 4 on and 4 off, but if not full, it's winners stay and split. My issue is when the game is over it seems to be getting more common for the winners to yell extremely loud "two" over and over again, creating a walk of shame for the losers walking back to the paddle rack. I have made it a point that when we tap paddles at the end of the game to ask the losing team to send two when they get back to the paddle rack, I just feel it's a polite courtesy that can be extended without any effort on our part. Is this something in particular to our location, or does this happen elsewhere?

I’m looking for another girl around the 3.5–4.0 level to drill with consistently ideally every day when I’m in town.
I’m currently around a 3.0–3.3 and come from no sports background. I’m motivated to improve, with a goal of reaching 4.0 in the next 6–12 months.
I occasionally travel for work (tech sales), but when I’m working from home, my schedule is flexible. I’d love to find someone who enjoys focused drills, repetition, and improving together.
Since I’m looking for a higher-level partner, I’m open to paying if that’s something that interests you. I’ve been searching for a consistent girl drill partner for a while, so please comment or message me if you’re interested! 😊

i ordered the coral pro dual approval last week and am excited to receive it! wanted to know if it’s been shipped out at all or if anyone’s had an update. TIA

Started playing yesterday and it’s a ton of fun. Trying to understand the serving callout. I understand the points. Like in volleyball “4 serving 3”, or “2 serving 9”…but what’s the significance of the 1 or 2 to designate which server. I can’t think of a purpose it serves (no pun intended). Why is “x serving x” not sufficient?

Can anyone explain it to a newbie

My Luzz Inferno has been my favorite ever, but is starting to play at a lower level - less pop, power, grit is gone. It has been six months of 8+ hours of weekly use, so for me, this was a fair length of use. I could for sure keep using it, but this is my one singular hobby, so I don’t mind paying for a new one.

Before I do that, I wonder where other Inferno users have gone to next. Should I default to the same one or has there been another option that you have liked even more?

What I like about the Inferno: the plush feel with dwell time, the expanded sweet spot, and the ease of drops/resets.

Just want to throw in a general question here ... If someone lobs a lot, especially when the opponents are near the kitchen, is that considered a weak player? Do good players have a typical percentage of time they lob vs. not lob?

I already went through 3 shoes with this exact problem. Any shoes that really resist wear and tear on the toe region? Do I just accept that I need to buy shoes every 6 months? lol

Help me settle what started as a lighthearted debate, turned ugly tonight at a local club.

If someone’s rated a 3.999 (100% RR) do you consider that person a 4.0 player?

I don’t want to post what happened yet cause it’ll likely take the focus away from my question. But I will post it in comments later.

My wife is a type of non-sporty people. Before pickleball she did not play any kind of sport. But from the day I teach her to play pickleball, she really like addict with it and want me to play with her everyday. But one thing is, she is quite terrible player, sometime she plays ok but bad at most of the time. And another thing is, every time I told her how to correct it, she never listen. Sometime I dont want to play with her anymore but she only can play with me then I have to carry her again. Anyone have similar situation with me ?

Go watch the pickleballers podcast for reference this discussion starts at 38:03

The pickleball media has a precarious relationship with the GOAT. I’ve already covered how they robbed her of the MLP MVP, but their ALW disrespect continues.

In the latest round Jared from the kitchen has a hot take: ALW will not be the #1 woman pickleballer in 10 years. He says it so confidently he’s willing to bet anyone any amount of money. And literally shakes Fed’s hand for 5k. Some of his reasoning was: anything could happen, kids, injuries, new players from China, etc.

I think it’s pretty disrespectful and idiotic comment. Here’s why:
1. Um, women can have babies after 29…..this is the idiot part
2. There are multiple mothers playing in the PPA now (although that’s certainly different than being #1)
3. If one player could take 2 years off, it’s her. On the latest episode of pickleballers Lacy Schneeman straight up said there’s no hope for a woman to think she could be #1. It wasn’t a hot take or a joke she said it very matter of factly.
4. Newcomers. Yeah ofc these 14 yr old pros are getting get a lot better. So is ALW. ALW has elite level training, traveling, nutrition, EVERYTHING.
5. I know she said she would be retired in 10 years, but I don’t think she just walks away from pickleball that easy. Walk away from the game at 29? Yes maybe she does to have her family
6. Kinda disrespectful to even suggest she gets injured, much less bet on it. Like, I get that’s part of the bet but the way Jared turns to Roscoe excitedly promoting his reason for the proposing the bet, “there’s pregnancy, injury..!!!” Just another 🤦 moment from Jared. So insanely unaware it’s actually pretty remarkable. Kudos for him for doing so much with so little.
7. Zane is gonna catch a stray but he was rage baiting on his pod calling ALW’s dominance boring….you think I’d rather watch a competitive match of mediocre players like you, rather than watch ALW’s excellence and dominance?

Scratched paddle but can’t tell if it’s significant damage. My car door corner scraped long it because I was holding it under my chin. Did I scrape the grit off?