Are You Ready To Play Pickleball At A Public Court?

1. Public courts can feel intimidating at first, but players are often welcoming.

The first time I showed up at a public court, I was very nervous because I could tell that an established community of players knew each other, and they were there to play! Since I was there early (8 am), players were showing up, which meant I met some of the first few arrivals, and they needed someone to warm up with. Getting there early in the morning helped me get my foot in the door by meeting someone right away, and while we “dinked around,” they foreshadowed what to expect.

 

As more players showed up, they were ready to play a game but needed a fourth. This situation is when I learned that experienced players care more about having a foursome to play with than not having a full court. But, in the end, players wanted to play, so even though I was new, they were happy I was there to get a game going.

 

The courts filled up, and a line was forming by 9 am, and this is when I started to learn more about the community of players. I was introduced as the new guy, and people quickly gave me advice which was kind and appreciated. Only one or two players showed their annoyance when they got paired with me, and they had to teach me as we played.

 

If you find yourself in this situation, and you’re “The New Player,” the best thing you can do is be transparent that you’re new so that the community can help you find the proper court to play on and they know how to help you. The next best thing you can do is to listen because a LOT of advice is headed your way, and a LOT of direct communication about where you’re supposed to be, how you’re supposed to hit, and when you’re supposed to move.

 

Tip: Introduce yourself. Share that you are new, but you’re not “brand new,” you know the game, just looking to join in. Last, listen to their advice in a kind and appreciative way.

 

2. Public courts are often self-organized by level, beginner, and intermediate.

When you arrive, it may feel overwhelming if games are happening everywhere, and you may not know which court to play on. So my best suggestion is to ask someone how the courts are organized. Sometimes, courts are all mixed, but public courts often have a beginner and intermediate set of courts.

 

Beginner courts may be labeled with skill levels up to 3.0. Intermediate courts may be labeled as above 3.0 and can range between 4.0 and 5.0. You’ll learn the skill levels in time, but usually, new players start somewhere between 2.0 and 3.0.

 

You’ll also learn their line-keeping system. Often, players stack their paddles to keep track of who’s up next. It’s good to ask how to get in line so you know where to put your paddle.

 

We always suggest starting on the beginner courts, even if you’re athletically gifted. Why? Start on the beginner side, dial back your athleticism and competitiveness, and work on learning the game. You can always move up from there.

 

Tip: Ask someone how the courts are organized. If they have courts organized by level, we suggest starting on the beginner courts, usually up to 3.0 levels, and moving up from there. Make sure to know how to get in line by stacking your paddle or using the system they have at that facility.

 

3. If you’re serving, STAY BACK!

Staying back is one of the things I got coached on the most by experienced players the first time I played on a public court; both you and your partner need to stay behind the baseline after your team serves. DO. NOT. MOVE. UP!

 

Why? Why should we stay behind the baseline as the serving team? Remember the Two Bounce Rule? The ball must bounce once on each side before a team can volley it! If your team serves it and bounces on the return team’s side, that’s bounce number one. Then, they return it, and it needs to bounce on your team’s side before you can hit it. If you, as the service team, creep forward, the return team will drive their ball back toward the baseline, and you’ll find yourself back-peddling because you’re out of position since it needs to bounce.

 

Experienced pickleballers will very openly remind you to STAY BACK!

 

Tip: Stay behind the baseline with your partner if you are the serving team until the ball is returned to you and it bounces. Then, move forward!

 

4. If you’re the returning team, STAGGER your set up!

Here’s another strategic element I was coached on a lot by players the first time I was at a public court; stagger your setup if you are the return team! What does that mean? A staggered setup is when the player returning the serve starts behind the baseline, and the other player not returning the serve starts up toward the kitchen line.

 

Why? Why should the return team start staggered? Again, that two-bounce rule is why! As the return team, your first return happens after the first bounce, which means you don’t need to worry about the two-bounce rule anymore, and you have an advantage. Your non-return partner can start up at the kitchen line and hope the serving team returns their first shot high and at your forward player so they can hit down on it with power, earning a point since you don’t need to wait for it to bounce!

 

Tip: If you are the returning team, set up in a staggered formation where the returning partner is back behind the baseline and the non-return partner is forward toward the kitchen line.

 

5. Be confident in your calls!

Calling “In” or “out” is an important part of pickleball. It’s also a controversial part of the game that can cause tensions if people call them in a wishy-washy way. If the ball is out, call it out right away. You can even use a hand signal to indicate the ball is out by pointing your finger up into the air. If the ball is in, call it in. You could also use a hand motion for in by placing your hand palm down, level with your waist.

 

Remember, the guideline in pickleball is to be sure to call the ball “Out.” If you have any doubt, call the ball “In.”

 

Tip: Call the ball “In” or “Out” with confidence. Use hand motions to help communicate your call to players on the other side of the court. If you have any doubt, the ball is “In!”