17 Pickleball Court Etiquettes You Should Follow in 2023

With pickleball’s rising popularity comes an influx of new players who may be unaware of court etiquette guidelines. As the sport continues gaining traction globally, it’s important for all players, regardless of skill level, to understand and implement the proper pickleball etiquettes.

Following these simple yet essential rules of conduct makes the game more enjoyable for everyone involved while reducing conflicts.

This article will overview the top 17 pickleball court etiquettes you should familiarize yourself with for fair cooperation in 2023 as either a beginner or experienced player. Adhering to these pickleball manners will ensure you play the game the way it was meant to be played!

Do you think pickleball crowd etiquette is in a good spot right now on the PPA Tour? Let me know your thoughts #pickleball pic.twitter.com/RuyMNVSGSQ

— TysonMcGuffin (@TysonMcGuffin) June 5, 2023

17 Pickleball Court Etiquettes You Should Follow in 2024

1. Avoid Wearing Clothing Matching Ball Color

This is an important etiquette to prevent any visibility issues during play. Wearing clothes that blend with the ball makes it much harder for your opponents to track and can lead to disputed calls. Stick to contrasting colors for fair play.

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2. Respect Opponents’ Line Calls

Even if you feel your opponent made an incorrect “out” call, don’t vocally doubt them without being 100% certain yourself. Give them the benefit of doubt as per proper etiquette. You can politely discuss or ask for clarification after the point concludes but avoid heated debates.

3. Respect All Players and Courts

Having good sportsmanship, attitude and manners is crucial regardless of your skill level or whether you’re winning/losing. Respect all fellow players and refrain from foul language or inappropriate conduct. Also be mindful of other adjacent courts during play.

4. Acknowledge Other Players

If playing with strangers, introduce yourself beforehand and thank them afterward – basic politeness goes a long way. Even simple post-game handshake or paddle tap shows good spirit.

5. Safe Ball Retrieval

Yell “ball on” loudly before entering a court to return an errant ball, so rallying players aware and can stop to avoid collision. Never enter neighboring court spaces without express permission.

6. Safe Movement Between Courts

When transiting around other occupied courts, ensure you don’t disrupt active games. Walk around the outside cautiously without interfering in others’ play.

7. Rotate On/Off Court in Groups

To allow waiting players a fair chance to play, rotate on and off the court in complete foursome units rather than as individuals or pairs.

8. Use Designated Paddle Racks

When people are waiting for an open court, use public paddle holders by the entrance rather than keeping your paddles on-court between games. This signals your intent to rotate off after finishing.

9. Spectator Involvement Etiquette

If observing a game as a spectator, avoid making calls for either team or joining discussions around disputed shots. Only provide input if specifically requested by both sides to weigh in on a line call.

10. Call Balls “On” During Play

Making “on” calls helps speed up pace of play so opponents need not wait to see if the ball bounces twice before returning. Proactively signaling fair balls avoids unnecessary stoppages.

11. Question Opponent’s Calls Respectfully

Unless completely certain your opponent made an incorrect line call, avoid direct challenges which may come off as rude or unsportsmanlike. Politely ask for clarification and provide your perspective only after the rally ends.

12. Congratulate Opponents Post-Game

At the conclusion of any match, proactively approach the net to touch paddles and congratulate opponents on a game well played as a show of good spirit, whether you won or lost.

13. Understand Equipment Timeouts

Paddle or clothing adjustments between rallies now constitute equipment timeouts separate from regular timeouts. Know the differences well.

14. Avoid Matching Colors with Ball

Another rule addition requires players to contrast clearly with ball colors. Wear brightly non-matching shades so the ball pops against paddles/bodies.

15. Correct Score Discrepancies Fast

If the wrong score gets called before serve, immediately intervene to get it corrected – otherwise wait until that rally completes to address the mistake.

16. Avoid Conflicts with Referees

The 2023 rulebook further clarifies definitions to reduce potential referee arguments. Accept close calls graciously without debating judgements.

17. Stay Updated on Rule Changes

Familiarize yourself with any modifications made to the official rules each year by the USA Pickleball Association to avoid inadvertent violations.

Do you think pickleball crowd etiquette is in a good spot right now on the PPA Tour? Let me know your thoughts #pickleball pic.twitter.com/RuyMNVSGSQ

— TysonMcGuffin (@TysonMcGuffin) June 5, 2023

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some other examples of pickleball etiquette?

Some other pickleball etiquettes include letting faster groups play ahead if your games are slower paced, limiting warm-up shots if people are waiting, avoiding foot faults on serves, keeping chatter friendly and avoiding profanity, filling ball containers when empty, and being timely for arranged match meetups.

How should issues with line calls be handled?

If repeated line call disputes arise with an opponent despite polite clarifications, you can request mediation from a referee or neutral observer. Never vocally question an opponent’s eyesight, honesty or demand ball markings as proof without official mediation.

Can I enter an adjacent court to retrieve a ball?

You should never enter any court that is still in play. Yell “ball on!” loudly from outside the court perimeter and wait for rallying to completely stop before crossing over even briefly to grab a ball. Always ask permission before stepping on strangers’ courts.

What are key areas of etiquette for pickleball spectators?

As spectators, refrain from movement or noise during active points that can distract players. Stay off courtside unless chasing errant balls. Avoid involvement in score discussions or line call disputes. Politely allow referees space to conduct their duties without interference when called on court.

Conclusion:

Cooperation and good conduct are vital pillars of any successful sport, enabling fair play and fun competition for all. By adhering to pickleball’s essential court etiquettes around line calls, player interactions, spectating protocols and equipment use, we help preserve the welcoming community spirit this fast-growing game was built upon. Whether an amateur or pro, committing these rules of etiquette to memory will make you a more thoughtful ambassador of the sport in 2023. So equip yourself with paddle in hand and courtesies in mind as you stride on court – play passionately but behave appropriately!