“Don’t crowd me.” I heard my partner say on the pickleball court. That of course threw both of us off and the ball went flying by giving the opponents a point. Meanwhile I’m thinking…what does he mean? Don’t crowd me?
I was a novice player (thank you Ron for giving me the idea to call beginners NOVICE) and my game was all over the court. I was where I wasn’t suppose to be, unprepared for return of smashes, terrible at dinking, and anyone could lob over my head as I stood there. Pickleball is easy to learn but hard to master.
What did he mean?
Crowding your partner is when you get too close as he/she goes for a return shot and YOU become a distraction. The correct thing to do when a ball comes flying over the net and it is apparent that your partner has a better shot at it, is take a step away sending the subtle message that you know that they are going to take the shot. This may work better than saying, “I got this!” which can be a little distracting. Anything that takes your focus off the ball can cause a fault.
Usually, when you have someone crowding you on the court it is an indication that they don’t have confidence in your game, and are going to try to get to the ball before you do. In a tournament this could be a good thing as the opponents have targeted you as the weaker player and are hitting the ball consistently to you, but you keep missing the return. However, in recreational play, it is better to not hog the ball. (Yes, I know. People call me a ball hog.) Let your weaker partner have a try at returning the ball.
Tip number 2 – poaching
Players don’t poach enough. What is poaching? Poaching in doubles is the art of “anticipating” a weak return from your opponent or moving across the net after the ball is poorly struck and putting the ball away.
It is a aggressive offensive shot BUT make sure you get it over the net or you’ll get the evil eye from your opponet.
Here is a great video explaining POACHING
Tip number 3 – Don’t take your partner’s forehand
A forehand shot is more accurate than a backhand shot. In a good partnership the forehand takes most of the shots. As one of the more pro players on the Sarasota Pickleball courts told me, she calls the person with the forehand the TERMINATOR. I have heard novice players scold their partner when they cross the middle court line with their forehand and take the shot, “That was on my side of the court!” The correct play is to let him/her with the forehand take the shot.
Tip number 4 – Always be a supportive partner
You have played with that person. The master of eye rolling, chief of head shaker, and professional frowner. Ahhhh, the negativity that floats around the court when you play with them. When you miss a shot, God help you. They act like they are so disappointed with you that you personally have ruined their day. Ugh! And it is particularly crazy when it is only recreational pickleball.
Please don’t act like it is the end of the world when your partner misses a shot. We all have good days and bad days. I remember everyone that was/is nice to me on the courts. Be that person that people remember and smile about.
Be supportive! A game lasts around 20 minutes and is an opportunity to practice good sportsmanship.
Tip number 5 – Know your limits
Know your limits means know your level. Yes, we all believe we are better than we actually are (guilty), and want to play with the better players. I hear, “How am I going to get better if I don’t play with the better players?” Well, that used to work when pickleball was a new sport but the divide has become wider as the seasoned players have played for many years and practiced over and over again. The beginners have just picked up a paddle. That old saying saying doesn’t cut it anymore, and there are many places for beginners and novices to play with other people at their level. Once they have mastered keeping score, serving, dinking, and stopped hitting the ball out of bounds, then may start playing with intermediate players. A good way to know if you are ready is if you consistently win games. And if you lose every game when you move up to play with the intermediates, you might have to go back to the novices and sharpen your skills.
Are advanced players obligated to play with beginners? No, they are not, but the nice players will give you some tips and possibly play a game or two with you out of the kindness of their hearts.
Here is a skill determination list from the USAPA CLICK HERE
Have fun on the courts. If you have any pickleball questions, please let me know at dinkpickleball@gmail.com .
Pickleball Terry
USAPA Ambassador
Owner or SarasotaPickleball.com
