The reputation you have as a pickleball player is defined by much more than simply how well you hit the ball or how often you win. It has just as much to do with how you act on the court. That reputation will follow you from court-to-court, game-to-game, partner-to-partner and you don’t want to become that person who nobody wants to play with – or against – regardless of how good a player you might be.
This is the first of a Four-Part primer to help you get on and stay on the right path to becoming the ideal pickleball partner as well as opponent:
Don’t be the player who is insistent about teaming with the best player to always give himself the best chance of winning. Most people try to be polite and just want to play and have fun, so they usually go along with that team-stacking ploy…but they probably don’t like it. If you are considered to be the best player in your foursome and you play regularly at places where you change partners from game to game, then you should probably partner yourself with the weakest player in the group. But don’t do it in a condescending manner. Just say something like, “Why don’t we play together. I think we’ll have fun.”
If two players are clearly better than the other two in a recreational game, those two should get together and decide who will play with whom and what shots they will hit toward the weaker players. That way everyone is assured of having a fun time. If you see your opponents can’t handle spin, for instance, give them a break and don’t spin the ball as much as you might normally. The better players can also use these games as a chance to work on their third shot drops or midcourt play, their backhand down-the-line and things that they feel they can be better at. Don’t be afraid to practice within the game.
Here’s an example of what I consider to be bullying on the court: One day, a player on the opposing team hit the ball near me that missed the sideline. Before I had time to say anything, the other of the opponents yelled “Nice shot!” and tapped paddles with his partner.
No, it wasn’t a nice shot! It was out of bounds, but that person was, in essence, daring me to call it out. He was trying to intimidate me into agreeing with him. Maybe it wasn’t on purpose, but it was a form of intimidation. I said, “The ball was out, and you making calls on my side before I even have time to make the call is not cool. It’s my call, let me make it.”
I have no problem with an opponent expressing an opinion about one of my calls, because I have missed calls before, but I do have a problem with them making the call for me.
There are many players in a similar situation who don’t feel comfortable standing up to someone like that, so they acquiesce. Stand up for yourself, and if your partner is a real partner she’ll back you up. Don’t let yourself be bullied and don’t be the bully.