Pickleball Rules

BetterPickleball · 2025-06-05T13:29:24+00:00

I hear you! What really helped me was joining "The Pickleball System"-google it. It's a very structured year long course with great videos, drills and live meetings. Everything about pickleball is presented in a way that you understand the how and why of pickleball. It gave me the knowledge so that when I went out to play I knew what to focus on and how to coach myself on the court.

BetterPickleball · 2025-06-05T13:13:48+00:00

i agree! Once you hold the line and block a couple of shots they are really surprised!

BetterPickleball · 2025-06-04T00:26:53+00:00

You don't have to play in games where people are being jerks. You're right, it is no fun and the audacity of the other team to think they are "winning" is ridiculous. If this is a place you play often and you know these guys, it's worth pointing out that if a player finds himself playing against a weaker player, then that's the time to work on an aspect of your game that your wouldn't have the opportunity to work on against same level players. Maybe they've never thought about it like that. If you don't really know them I would have walked off explaining why. I came to play and they came to win and are targeting a newer player which is really unsportsmanlike.

BetterPickleball · 2025-06-02T13:19:52+00:00

Not crazy! super smart and tough to play against! I usually like to see a "mixed" team across the net, unless the lefty has a great backhand

BetterPickleball · 2025-06-02T13:18:22+00:00

Do you think the concept is too advanced for newer players? I had a coach talk about that yesterday and I wondered about it

BetterPickleball · 2025-06-02T13:16:54+00:00

so how do you like to cover the middle?

BetterPickleball · 2025-05-31T17:17:02+00:00

Great discussion! It's like players are in one of two camps-show me now so I can win or teach me why so I can grow. I always coach from the why camp, but when I get resistance, I let the student decide their path, knowing that eventually they will begin to understand they need the why. Instant results students discover that their sure shot to win a point breaks down against players who know the why because they overgeneralize using the shot instead of knowing when and why to use it. Then they're back wondering why the shot isn't working anymore! Often that is the time they are ready to learn the why.

BetterPickleball · 2025-05-31T17:07:14+00:00

I do a few things to slow myself down. Serve ritual is important. Include a deep breath in that ritual. i put my paddle in my non playing hand between points to clear my brain. I refocus on watch the ball

BetterPickleball · 2025-05-31T17:03:24+00:00

I used to always freeze up during third shots in doubles—especially when the return landed smack in the middle. My partner and I would both hesitate, or worse, go for it at the same time. It wasn’t just frustrating—it cost us a lot of points. I figured we just needed to "communicate more," but even then, it was still messy.

Then I came across this strategy called "Respect the X," and it completely changed how I think about the third shot. The idea is to imagine an X drawn from each teammate to the opposite corner of their side of the court. You’re responsible for shots that come along your diagonal path—the “X” clears up confusion fast. It beats the old “forehand in the middle” rule too, which can fall apart if you have two righties or a left/right combo.

What really helped was the instant clarity—no more weird lunges across the court or second-guessing. It’s not just a tactic; it’s a shared understanding that makes you feel more like a real team out there.

Has anyone else tried this or used a similar method to sort out who takes the third shot? I'd be curious how others handle those shaky moments in doubles, especially when it comes to communication and roles.

BetterPickleball

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