Pickleball Etiquette & Safety Guidelines

It’s all about having fun! And, the best way to have fun is to play it safe.

Below are the safety guidelines published by USA Pickleball. You can see the guidelines on their website at: https://usapickleball.org/play/health-safety/

Pickleball Court Etiquette

Remember: Pickleball is only a game.
Begin each game by acknowledging the other players and introducing yourself if you don’t know them.
If the ball is out and it’s on your side, call it out. If it’s close, give the benefit to your opponent. This is hard to do when the game is close, but do it anyway. If your opponent does not do it, you do the right thing anyway when it’s your turn. Never make calls for your opponent’s side of the court.
Never ask for (nor accept) line calls from spectators.
Play with all skill levels. Good sportsmanship is the rule.
If you want a stronger/more competitive game, stack your paddles together as a group and wait your turn.
When the players on the opposing team are unequal in skill, avoid always playing the weaker player just to score points. Also, play the stronger player equally or he/she may get bored and not want to play with you in the future. Your game will improve by challenging the better player.
If you are the strongest player of the four, play the weakest players in a way they can handle and learn from you.
Before the game starts, tell your partner if you are working on a particular skill in that game so they understand you may not necessarily put every shot away. Saying this beforehand manages expectations.
Avoid taking advantage of a person’s physical limitations when you play them socially. If someone cannot go back for a lob (due to physical limitations), don’t take advantage.
At the end of each game, meet at the net (clink paddles) and say “good game.” NEVER leave a game without acknowledging the other team.
Never criticize opponents nor your partner’s play.
Abusive language is not allowed. Verbal comments of any detrimental nature during a game is unacceptable. Do not discuss politics!
Compliment people on outstanding “hero” shots or on a really great game.
At the end of a game, if you believe another player would benefit from an observation about their play, DON’T OFFER IT! Most people don’t want critiques about their play. If they want your advice, they will ask.
We are all excited about new players! If you bring a guest to open play that doesn’t know how to play pickleball, remember you are their teacher and stay with them until they are comfortable.
Teaching takes time. When teaching during peak hours, we have limited space. Spend no more than 20 mins on the court if players are waiting and rotate back in when it’s your turn.

The above guidelines do not account for every situation. You are requested to adhere to the spirit of these rules as well. Our overriding concern is for the safety and enjoyment of all our members. Please see any of our committee members with any issues or concerns you may have. One or two committee members are usually at the courts.

How to Play Pickleball Safely

Pickleball is not only fun, but is great exercise too. Like any other sport, care must be taken to avoid overexertion and injury. Below are some of the things you should do to stay healthy and have more fun.

Getting Ready to Play

Be sure to have the proper shoes, ones that support your feet and are designed for court sports.
Give any existing injury plenty of time and rest to heal before you resume play.
Know how to get help quickly if you or a co-player are hurt or develop a medical problem. Is there a telephone, a first-aid kit and an automatic external defibrillator (AED) nearby? Do you have the phone number available of someone to call in case of emergency?
Be aware of any obstacles in the area that you might run into or trip over, such as benches or gym equipment.
Never play on a wet court; they are extremely dangerous. One way to check a damp court surface is to press your toe down firmly and make a twisting motion. If you leave an obvious “wet” spot it’s too wet to play.
Check with your doctor regarding exercise and any physical conditions that exist or may have previously existed.

Before Play

Injury Prevention is Key

Warm-up: The main purpose of a warmup period is to raise the general body temperature prior to playing. When the body temperature is raised it will increase your ability to perform the stretching exercises. The warmup period should be approximately 5 minutes. Try a fast walk to the pickleball courts, riding a bike or treadmill. These are just a few examples for a total body warmup.
Stretching: Following the warmup period, begin a stretching program. This will increase your flexibility, which allows for better performance and decreases the possibility of injuries. The muscles/joints that need to be stretched are: ankles, Achilles tendon, calf muscle, quadriceps (front of upper leg), hamstrings (back of upper leg), groin, low back, shoulder and arms. Start with the ankle stretch and work up toward the shoulder/neck area. For each muscle group, place that group “on stretch,” the point a which you feel the stretch, and hold it for 10-15 seconds. Relax and repeat 3-5 times.
Eye Protection: While hollow and lightweight, the ball used in pickleball is a hard polymer and can travel at a very high rate of speed. The use of proper eye protection is highly recommended for all players.
Proper Footwear: Comfortable court shoes are a must; sneakers or running shoes do not supply the right kind of support for the side-to-side action inherent in pickleball. From FootCareMD:
- Walk or run a few steps in your shoes. They should be comfortable.
  The shoes should be comfortable as soon as you try them on. There is no break-in period.
- When the shoe is on your foot, you should be able to freely wiggle all of your toes.
- Wear the same type of sock that you will wear for that sport.
- Try on athletic shoes after a workout or run and at the end of the day. Your feet will be at their largest.
- Most court sports require the body to move forward, backward and side-to-side. As a result, most athletic shoes used for court sports are subjected to heavy abuse. The key to finding a good court shoe is its sole. Tennis [pickleball] players need a shoe that supports the foot during quick side-to-side movements or shifts in weight. A shoe that provides stability on the inside and outside of the foot is an important choice. Flexibility in the sole beneath the ball of the foot allows repeated, quick forward movements for a fast reaction at the net.
- If possible, purchase athletic shoes from a specialty store. The staff will provide valuable input on the type of shoe needed for your sport as well as help with proper fitting. This may cost a premium in price but is worthwhile, particularly for shoes that are used often.

During Play

Learn to return lobs correctly. Never back up on your heels. Instead, turn around and go back to get to the ball. Serious head injuries can occur if you fall backwards.
During play, if pain occurs stop playing and ice the area of pain. Continuing to play will likely aggravate your problem.
Age, experience, physical condition and athletic ability will impact the level of your game. Don’t try to make plays beyond your abilities.
Be sure to drink water, replenish electrolytes and eat appropriate snacks. You need a balance of electrolytes and food to prevent dehydration. Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, fatigue, an irregular heartbeat and fainting.

After Play

Cool Down. After playing, you may want to do a little stretching or take a slow walk home. This will help lower your body temperature and bring your heart rate slowly back to normal.