Pickleball Safety and Play Etiquette
Court Safety
- Wear proper court shoes
- Do NOT backup on the court; turn and move sideways
- Do NOT run into other active courts when playing your ball
- Do NOT chase your ball through other active courts – wait for others to return your ball to you
- When retrieving a loose ball, look for players waving at you, when possible return ball behind courts
- STOP play immediately if a loose ball comes on your court or behind it – shout BALL. Then replay your rally
- When going to and from a court be aware and stay well clear of other active players and courts
- Keep yourself well hydrated
Court Etiquette
- At the beginning of the game introduce yourself, if not familiar with your partner or players
- Call yourself, if you or your partner land in the NVZ (kitchen) on a volley. Be cautious to call kitchen or foot faults on your opponents – let them call their own faults
- When you are playing in a non competitive situation take time once in a while to play with weaker players – they will be thrilled to have the experience
- Remember if a stronger player is on the court with you, hit to them and often – it will make you a better player plus keep the game interesting for all who are playing. If you are playing with weaker players work on shots that they can return and learn from
- If playing against mixed partners be courteous and not slam directly at weaker opponents
- If the play type is Open Play – you do not get to play with your buddies 100% of the time, share the fun
- If the play type is Play Rotation (bench positions, paddle in box, board sign-up) or by Skill Level, understand and follow the group process laid down
- Unsolicited coaching on the court is not to be done. If someone is new or asks for your input, do so briefly being mindful of the flow of the game
- When a ball is out of bounds, call “out” loudly
- When courts are busy and you are on deck, have your foursome ready to move quickly to an open court
- You must call out the score, so your opponents can hear, before serving the ball
- The server must wait for the receiver to be ready before serving
- You do line calls on your side of the net and NOT the other side
- You may ask the opposition to help with a call, and then their decision is FINAL
- If you did not see where a ball bounced – in or out on your side of the net – it is IN