Ever find yourself apologizing for poaching a ball that you knew you could get only to worry afterward that maybe it was your partner’s? Or worse–not hitting a ball at all because you weren’t sure if it was yours?

As it turns out, there are a few “rules of engagement” that can help with those awkward middle-of-the-court moments.

My go-to guideline is the Forehand Rule. Typically, when both players are right-handed, the player on the left has the forehand in the middle and will often take balls down the centre, along with anything on the left side of the court. Sometimes they may even edge into the right side–or poach–if they feel they can get the ball and trust their partner has them covered for the next shot.

But what happens if you’re playing with a leftie? 

That’s where the next rule comes into play: communication. Talk to your partner and find out what they prefer. Some teams like the stronger player to take more middle balls, while others stick to forehands or specific court zones. 

The last option is the “Respect the X”. This tends to show up more at higher levels of play. It’s exactly what it sounds like–imagine an X across the court, and you’re responsible for the balls coming diagonally to you.

Ultimately, these are just guidelines to help prevent those awkward “your ball…no, your ball!” moments. Good communication can make a huge difference, and your pickleball partner will definitely thank you.

In the moment, it can be hard to remember all of this, especially as a beginner. But like anything in pickleball, it comes down to practice, practice, practice. And you know what that means….pickleball, pickleball, pickleball. 😉

Until next time… play fair, play hard, and stay out of the kitchen!

#pickleballaddiction #pickleballforbeginners #stayingoutofthekitchen