17 Pickleball Court Etiquettes You Should Follow in 2023

If you’re new to pickleball, or just need a refresher on the do’s and don’ts, then this blog post is for you! Here are 17 court etiquette tips that will help make your experience at the pickleball courts more enjoyable for everyone. Follow these tips and you’ll be the MVP of the courts in no time!

Are There Any Etiquettes for Playing Pickleball?

Of course, there are! Just like any other sport or game, certain guidelines should be followed to make the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Who Should Follow Them?

These guidelines, or etiquette, should be followed by anyone who wants to play pickleball – whether they are a beginner or a seasoned pro. After all, no one likes it when someone isn’t playing by the rules!

What Are Some of These Etiquettes?

Some of the most important 17 etiquettes to follow when playing pickleball include:

1. Wait Your Turn

This one should be pretty self-explanatory – don’t just run onto the court without waiting your turn. If there are already people playing, wait until they are finished before you start your game.

2. Don’t Run on the Court

This etiquette is closely related to the first one. Once it is your turn to play, don’t run onto the court – take your time and walk on instead. Running can be dangerous, not only for you but also for the other players on the court.

3. Respect Other Players’ Space

When you are playing, be aware of the other players around you and respect their space. Don’t crowd them or get too close to them – give them their personal space so that they can enjoy the game as well.

4. Keep Your Equipment Organized and Clean

This etiquette is twofold – first, make sure that your equipment is organized and not all over the place. This means putting your pickleball paddle away when you’re not using it and keeping your water bottle in one spot instead of moving it around the court.

The second part of this etiquette is to keep your equipment clean. This means wiping down your paddle after each use and making sure that your shoes are clean before stepping on the court.

5. Be a Good Sport

No one likes a sore loser, so make sure that you are always being a good sport when playing pickleball. This means congratulating your opponents when they win and being a good sport even when you lose.

6. Follow the Rules

This one should go without saying, but it’s important to follow the rules of pickleball (or any game for that matter). Not only will this make the game fairer, but it will also make it more enjoyable for everyone involved.

7. Be Respectful of the Court and Equipment

This etiquette is similar to the one about being a good sport. It’s important to respect the court and the equipment that you are using. This means not hitting the ball too hard, not breaking any of the pickleball paddles, and not damaging the court in any way.

8. Use Proper Pickleball Terminology

When you are playing pickleball, it’s important to use the proper terminology. This means using terms like “serve” and “volley” instead of saying “hit the ball” or “smash the ball.” Using the proper terminology will make the game more enjoyable for everyone involved.

9. Observe the Dress Code

Most pickleball courts have a dress code that players must follow. This usually means wearing sneakers and comfortable clothing that won’t restrict your movement. Make sure to check the dress code before heading to the court so that you are prepared.

10. Be on Time for Your Match

This etiquette is important both for you and your opponents. Make sure that you are on time for your match so that everyone can start playing on time. This will make the game more enjoyable for everyone involved.

11. Warm Up Before Playing

This etiquette is important for your safety. Make sure to warm up before playing pickleball (or any sport for that matter). This means doing some light stretching and maybe even hitting a few balls around before starting your game.

12. Take Breaks as Needed

This etiquette is important for your own health. Make sure to take breaks as needed so that you don’t overwork yourself. This means taking a break after every game or set and maybe even taking a break in the middle of a game if you are feeling fatigued.

13. Don’t Distract Other Players

When you are playing, make sure to focus on your own game and not distract the other players. This means not talking to them while they are serving or hitting the ball and not making any sudden movements that could startle them.

14. Be Mindful of Your Volume

It’s important to be aware of the volume of your voice when you are playing pickleball. You don’t want to shout or be too loud, but you also don’t want to be so quiet that the other players can’t hear you. Find a happy medium so that everyone can enjoy the game.

15. Play at a Reasonable Pace

This etiquette is important for the sake of the other players. Make sure to play at a reasonable pace so that everyone can keep up. This means not taking too long between shots and not rushing through the game.

16. Don’t Use Obscene Language

This one should go without saying, but it’s important to be respectful of the other players and not use any obscene language. This means not using swear words or any other language that could be offensive to someone.

17. Don’t Hesitate to Call a Foul

If you think that a player is breaking one of the rules, don’t hesitate to call a foul. This will make the game more fair and enjoyable for everyone involved.

These are the most important etiquette tips to follow when playing pickleball. By following these tips, you will make the game more enjoyable for yourself and the other players.