The Unwritten Rules of Pickleball (That Everyone Breaks Anyway)
If there’s one thing you learn quickly on a pickleball court, it’s this - there are rules on the books and then there are rules everyone knows but pretends don’t exist. And unlike the official rulebook (which is definitely longer than the sport needs for a game played with a wiffle ball), these unwritten rules are whispered, assumed, misunderstood, and gleefully violated every single night of open play.
Let’s walk through a few of the biggies.
Rule #1 - Call the score loudly enough that humans can hear you.
We all know this one. And we all ignore it. Nobody actually wants to announce “4 - 3 - 2!” in a bold, broadcast-worthy voice. Instead, we whisper it like a CIA passcode and then get confused when nobody knows who’s serving. Bonus sin: calling the score confidently… and still being wrong.
Rule #2 - Let beginners play. Don’t just hunt for the best four players and freeze everyone else out.
Pickleball says it’s inclusive. And most days, it is. But let’s be real - you’ve seen the wolves scan the crowd for potential “weak links”. You’ve probably done it yourself, if you’re honest. If we’re going to keep the sport inclusive, it means creating space for everyone, even if that means you have to play a game or two with a 3.0 player. Gasp!
Rule #3 - Don’t be the partner who coaches every point.
Everyone knows that guy or girl. He/She explains where you should stand, what shot you should have taken, and how they used to be 4.5 before knee surgery. You’ve got two options - nod politely or fake an injury and limp to the bench. Whatever you do, don’t become this person!
Rule #4 - Don’t smash the ball at the novice who very clearly just started today.
This rule is widely believed and rarely enforced. There’s always that one player who gets a high floater and forgets it’s rec play and not center court at Indian Wells. We forgive them because, deep down, we’ve all fantasized about that overhead kill shot at least once.
Rule #5 - Apologize when you win on a terrible shot.
We all know the ritual. You drive a ball you had no business swinging at, it trickles over the net cord like it lost its will to live, and your opponents watch helplessly. You shrug, hold up a paddle, and say the sacred words - “Sorry!”
(You’re not sorry. Nobody is sorry. But you should say it anyway.)
Rule #6 - Don’t celebrate like you just won Wimbledon.
Unless you’re playing for money or defending national pride, winning 11 - 6 doesn’t require an end zone dance, fist pump, and primal scream. Make sure your victory celebration matches the expectations.
The beauty of these unwritten rules isn’t that everyone follows them. It’s that they make the sport feel like a neighborhood hangout disguised as competition. We’re out here for the laughs, the people, and the “Did you SEE that shot?” moments.
And speaking of laughter - all these quirks, contradictions, and gentle hypocrisies are exactly what inspired me to write Who Just Served?. The book lives in that sweet spot where pickleball is part sport, part sociology lab, and part comedy club. If you’ve ever broken one of these unwritten rules (or had someone break them on you), the stories inside will feel like your last open-play session - just with more chuckles, less line calling drama, and guaranteed correct scoring.
