The Pickleball Partner Paradox: How to Communicate without Speaking (Or Losing Your Mind)

Communication with your partner in pickleball is crucial. It’s the difference between hitting a winning shot and hitting your partner in the head with the ball (ouch!).

But seriously, the importance of communication with your partner cannot be overstated. It’s the foundation of a good partnership on the court. Sometimes, it’s just instinctive – you and your partner are in sync and can anticipate each other’s moves without saying a word. But other times, some unspoken communication becomes important.

For example, let’s say there’s a ball in the middle of the court, and both you and your partner are the same-handed. Who takes it? Do you both run for it and risk colliding with each other, or do you have a plan in place for situations like this?

Another area where communication is key is at the kitchen line. It’s important to coordinate your movements with your partner to avoid leaving any gaps in your coverage. A missed ball could be the difference between winning and losing the point.

But how do you improve your communication with your partner? It starts with simply talking to each other. Discuss your strengths and weaknesses, and develop a game plan that plays to those strengths.

It’s also important to be vocal during the game. Let your partner know if you’re covering a certain area or if you’re switching sides. And if there’s a miscommunication, don’t be afraid to laugh it off and move on.

At the end of the day, pickleball is a game – a fun one at that. Don’t take it too seriously, but do take the time to communicate with your partner. It could be the difference between a win and a loss.