Pickleball Communication: Mixed Doubles
Pickleball Communication: Mixed Doubles
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Hi Pickleballers -
I’m not sure if there’s any way to write a post about pickleball communication without getting in trouble, but here it goes...
Have you seen Wedding Crashers? If so, you know the first scene where Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn are trying to mediate a divorce settlement. The negotiation continues to deteriorate until they ask about the couple’s wedding. Did they have a band? What food was served? The couple relives some happy moments long enough to split the airline miles, and the negotiation ends.
What does this scene have to do with pickleball? Well, many of us (including myself) play a lot of mixed doubles with the same partner. In many cases, it’s also our significant other. Pickleball mixed doubles begins so innocently. We play for the first time, we get hooked, we can’t stop talking about it, we start a podcast, etc…
Fast forward two years later, and we need Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn to help us get through a match. Communication has completely broken down. We can’t win a point. It’s our partner’s fault. Lucky for me, my partner is an amazing pickleball player and communicator. She rarely makes a mistake and is beautiful, intelligent, and funny.
But, for OTHER pickleball players, communication can be challenging.
How to improve pickleball communication
Avoid eye-rolling, sulking, or other forms of contempt. It can be frustrating in a close game where your partner misses a seemingly effortless shot. You see the ball going out and yell “OUT,” but they still hit it (and their shot goes out). Replacing the eye-roll with a genuine “good try” will go a long way towards getting that shot right in the future.
Strategy, not coaching. Is there a difference? Unsolicited coaching is frowned upon during gameplay. That’s for practice sessions and drills. What about advice on strategy? I think that depends on the dynamic with your partner and the tone when offering suggestions. Maybe one of your opponents is standing too far inside the baseline after serving. Giving your partner a heads-up to aim for the feet is okay. However, I would advise against criticizing them for not aiming for their feet AFTER they lose a point.
Celebrate small victories. You’re down 0-7 and can’t win a point. Nothing is going right. On the next point, the ball hits the top of the net, pauses, and falls into your opponent’s kitchen. You win the point! It’s a good opportunity to replace “it’s about time” with “there we go!” Pickleball is a game of momentum. Capitalize when things go your way and use that momentum to win more points.
When to tap paddles. Do you paddle-tap after every point? Only after you win a point? Or never? Mixed doubles teams are all over the map on this one. Consistency is a good rule of thumb, even when you’re not playing your best. Let’s say you paddle tap after every point, but decide not to after your partner misses a shot. It’s probably not a good idea, even if you’re frustrated. Sticking with the paddle tap and a “let’s get ‘em” is a more productive approach.
Take responsibility. When we’re down in a match, I tend to press. I take low-percentage shots and poach a little more. When I take the aggressive line and miss the shot, I usually say, “My bad.” My partner knows I was trying to make something happen. If, instead, I said something like, “Well, what other choice do I have?” That sets an adversarial tone.
Keep in mind these suggestions are reminders for me more than anything else :) I am ultra-competitive, and losing puts me in a bad mood. However, it is a game, and you can be competitive and still have a great attitude!
This Week’s Simply Pickleball Podcast
Wondering why pickleball has taken off as the fastest-growing sport in America? Filmaker Machu Latoree was too! She is the producer of the upcoming film “The Game Changer,” where she tells the story of pickleball's amazing growth, what people love about it, and why it’s so special. Listen in as we hear some highlights from the film, how you can support it getting to the big screen, and why so many are addicted to playing pickleball.
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