Pickleball – Safety

1. Number One Rule: Don’t backpedal or run backwards. Turn sideways to move back, making
    sure to pick up your feet; or turn and run.
2. The sport is about good footwork. Move to the ball and pause before hitting. Maintain safe
    balance. Move the feet so the head and torso are always centered. Try to hit the ball within your
    “comfort zone,” which is approximately one foot in front of the body and one foot on either side.
3. If you can’t avoid falling, attempt to tuck and roll rather than extending the hands to
    break the fall.
4. The kind of shoe you are wearing can be important to prevent ankle/knee injury. Tennis or
    pickleball shoes have the best design to avoid rolling your ankle or slipping.
5. Protective eyewear is recommended for both outdoor and indoor play. A strike in the
    eye by a ball can cause serious injury and potentially loss of eyesight. Balls can hit your eyes
    from a ball coming from your opponent as well as a sudden deflection off your or your partner’s
    paddle.
6. Individuals should choose a paddle that is right for them and has an appropriate grip
    size (i.e., one finger width between palm and fingers). Lighter paddles are less likely to cause
    wrist injury and are more maneuverable for those with slow swings; however, they generally
    require a more powerful swing. Heavier paddles, especially in the head, create more
    power with less swing energy, but can result in wrist injury if correct mechanics are
    not applied.
7. It is importance for players to call “Ball on Court!” or “Ball!” to stop
    play immediately if a ball from another court enters their playing surface. Point is
    replayed following this “hinder” call. Likewise, if a ball is hit into another court,
    players should immediately yell “Ball!” to warn those players. Do not follow a ball
    onto another court to return it or retrieve it until play on that court has ceased.
8. In doubles, partners need to communicate, especially when there is a question about
    who should hit the ball. Call “Yours” or “Mine” to avoid collisions or getting hit by the
    partner’s paddle.
9. Walking behind a court while a ball is in play is dangerous and distracting. Wait for play to
    stop.
10. Warm up muscles before play and stretch before and after play to avoid injury.
11. Stay hydrated: Drink water before feeling thirsty; preserve electrolytes through
      eating proper snacks and/or electrolyte drinks before and after play.

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Pickleball - Etiquette

Every sport develops a unique culture over time. For pickleball, it is friendliness and
camaraderie that are the defining characteristic of the sport. Despite sometimes fierce
competition, recreational players invariably end up friends on and off the court.

1. Players should introduce themselves before beginning a game and greet those they
    already know.
2. After a rally, the player closest to the ball should retrieve it and gently return it to the proper
    server, preferably by tossing by hand or hitting with the paddle in a controlled manner. It is often
    helpful for the server to raise his/her hand to indicate to whom the ball should be directed.
3. In a game with no referee, if partners disagree on whether a ball is “in” or “out”,
    the proper call is “in”. This is not only a rule, but also good sportsmanship. [IFP Rule 6.D.10]
    if a ball is so close it’s hard to call, the benefit of the doubt goes to the opponent.
    Avoid questioning an opponent’s line call. In most cases the opponents are closer and
    have a better angle to see where the ball hits the surface. If you are not sure of a call
    on your side of the net, you may ask the other team, but in that case their call should
    be accepted [IFP Rule 6.D.5].
4. When you are calling a ball out. Make the call immediately and loud. Hand signals are also
    helpful and encouraged.
5. In a game without a referee, players should call foot faults on themselves. While it is
    within the rules to call foot faults on your opponents, and hopefully this would be
    received as helping to improve their game, be sensitive before choosing to exercise this
    prerogative.
6. In open recreational play, when the players on the opposing team are unequal in skill, avoid
    always playing the weaker player just to score points. In addition, your game will improve by
    playing the better player. Exhibit patience and tolerance. As a stronger player, practice your shot
    accuracy. As a weaker player, use the opportunity to improve your game.
7. After the game, come to the net and touch paddles. Say something positive to acknowledge
    opponents and partner, that was fun, great game, you played great.
8. When others are waiting, relinquish the court or offer to rotate when finished with your game
    (two-out, two-in or four-out, four in) or follow local rules on court usage.
9. As frustrating as play can be, never use foul language or denigrate another player.
    Apologize immediately if something inappropriate slips out. Avoid anger and/or confrontation; it
    is only a game. Try and be encouraging.
10. Keep up with the correct score and if it is a 1 st or 2 nd server. This can be challenging. Call the
      score loud enough for all to hear every time you serve.