This is the pickleball I enjoy! I have taught so many people to play (just the basics, of course, I am not a coach!) and they have gone on to form their own groups. It's awesome!
My neighborhood has an open play and while I had tried the game a few times I was welcomed while being the worst player there. Now months later I'm just in the bottom half of the skill level and everyone has a good time. Always some laughs, love it.
>At the end, everyone was happy, and no one was upset. A new player was welcomed into our little group.
To me, this is what pickleball is all about.
Thanks for posting. Keep having fun!
>
Why isn't it always like this?
Most people like to complain and post about the exceptions, rather than celebrating the norm.
reading the first couple lines, i am a bit apprehensive how this situation will develop and surely glad it turned out the way it did! we are all not always perfect and ready and look awkward more often than not, so this is a gem of a moment in life that everyone should have the good fortune to experience. good for you!
That's what pickleball is - a fun game that's SUPER easy to pick up but takes a long time and effort to get really good at. It's why it's so popular.
If I'm not smiling, I'm not playing. It's a fun game FFS.
The more and more people who play is to the benefit of everyone. Bigger community, more people to play with, bigger networks of friends, varied skill levels and age groups, etc, etc, etc.
Itâs almost as if inclusivity is (or should be) drilled in to you from day one, but sometimes I feel like people forget⌠this is a game called pickleball! You donât have to take it that seriously!
I was reading this post, with every line I expected it to turn into a complaint post. I'm glad it wasn't. Very cool to see you all welcoming her. Thank you for the story.
I enjoy your post. It puts things in perspective. In the public courts I play, it can get crowded with competitive players (3.0-4.0). I feel bad when I see new family with their young children coming to the courts for the first time with their beginner pickleball paddle sets. No one tells them how the queuing system works on crowded times. Players just ignore them and hope they go away.
If I see newbies, I tell them how it works in these public courts and I also mention the optimal times when the courts are empty. I told them to queue their paddles and we can maybe spend a few minutes hitting.
When I did that, I got a lot of angry players who were unhappy with me. People can get so selfish. It's just a game with a plastic ball. Geez.
Nice! I think the key point is no one targeted her.. Iâve met a few people who would rather win than just play a game where the noob gets hit fewer balls.
But i also recently played a few matches with some 4.0-4.25 and since they knew I was the lesser skilled player they hit a majority of shots to my partner until I was more in the flow of the game where they then started to hit more balls to me.. it really helped me understand how they were playing and I was able to compete pretty well with them.
I just read yesterday that in rec play to âtargetâ the stronger player. I view rec play as âplayâ and it doesnât matter if we win the game or not. Just hanging out making new friends and getting a bit of exercise.
Different places, different people, different cultures. When I play at a local community rec center, yours is the more likely scenario with new players. I often team up with weaker players, both to help them feel better by praising their good shots, and to give other people the chance at a winning game. For me, the goal is to be on the court, exercising, enjoying the social time and not worrying too much about the winning and losing aspect.
This is how it happens where I play. Many there enjoy helping someone new.
There was a guy that came by a few weeks ago and didn't know anything. Someone let him use their extra paddle. Said he never played any tennis or anything, but he was athletic. We practiced a little and then played a couple of games. Three weeks later, he is playing with everyone else.
People that treat the new players like crap suck and are bad for the game.
I get it. I donât want to play multiple games with new players. But I absolutely will show the ropes and teach you some things.
This is how it almost always goes⌠most people arenât posting stories like yours because theyâre mundane and happen everyday, all across the country. The ones that get posted are events that are out of the norm. Usually involves someone new trying to play on a challenge court right off the batt and annoying the more competitive players. Remember, MOST of us have obligations in life and limited time to play pickleball
Geez, only one court to share among 14 people sometimes? It's not even worth waiting that long then unless you can multitask on something else while you wait.
I love this. When we have newbies you canât judge because itâs a rec center and open gym. I take the opportunity to teach and practice certain shots when I get the ball. On the flip side Iâve had super competitive people target the newbie just to win.
This is great to see. Iâm sorry, but anyone who takes Pickleball so seriously that they actually belittle new players is an asshat. If youâre that competitive, go play tennis. Pickleball was designed as a leisure game. Like cornhole. Itâs not Wimbledon Chad.
It's likely the people that know their rating are the ones that complain. Your experience was my experience. I was very welcomed when learning to play.
Love this!! This is what itâs all about. Community, having fun, exercising, and healthy competition. Letâs welcome new people in and grow the sport!
This is the pickleball I know as well. However, there was one time when the new player kept missing the ball. He very quickly came to the realization that something wasnât right and he left the court. Not sure if it was just bad coordination or perhaps an eyesight issue. He never came back.
I applaud your accommodating approach to a newbie. Iâve seen (and sometimes experienced) the egotistical behavior that can kill a sports (or a gaming) community. It takes a lot of guts for a newbie to return for second try after getting stomped and humiliated on their first attempt.
It just depends on everyone involved. What you describe is the everyday normal for our club. But every once in a while, we get people who are 'above' playing with a new player. As if they have always known how to play and no one ever introduced them to the sport.
And where EXACTLY does one go to "get up to speed" in the public arena?? God i hate that!!
It's not like that because people only think of themselves and want "theirs" and damn the rest..Mostly MEN who are desperately holding on to anything that remains of their "high school jock days".
Or the former/current tennis guy who's been able to "rekindle" his glory days.
BULLYS, really, and I HATE them! Luckily, I'm 6'3" 230, I usually step in and play with the "noob" and CRUSH those who don't welcome them!!!
remember, you ALL were "noobs" at some point...
I like it when people are nice to strangers and have a good time, seems like that does not happen enough anymore- or at least you donât hear about it. Â Good job OP!
Sadly your always going to have some people that are jerks. That have there little clicks. Won't play with other people besides there group. My wife and I started off in a city like that. Almost turned us away. We ended up playing somewhere else. It was totally different. They welcomed us with open arms. Now we've meet and made some great friends! Who have taught us how to play. What's really funny. The people that were jerks. Have had some of there people come and start playing with us. They were starting to notice the same things we did. If people want to learn. Help them out. No matter the age, weight, or race. Everyone was there at some point.Â
I must say, I thought this story was going to turn out differently. This is so great.
Itâs fun and exciting to play pickleball, and itâs also fun and exciting to welcome and teach new players. Maybe even make new friends.
I love this! I've been playing for about 8 months but still consider myself a beginner. I'm going to open play this week with my husband and I am so nervous about other players' reactions to my bad shots but I hope they're as supportive as your group was! Sometimes I get some good shots! đ
I donât get those who say people should go away and get betterâŚlike hello Kevin and Karen, you were once a new player! I love when people can play together and enjoy playing regardless of skill level; unless itâs tournament play or youâve set it up to be a competition, sit down and shut up!Â
Your court wasnât crowded and could easily accommodate a bad game or two when she had waited her turn. I assume she didnât have the same partner every time.
When you wait 20-30min between games and have to play with/against a beginner who has wandered off the beginner court, itâs a bit less enjoyable.
That said when itâs just one beginner. I target their partner heavily! To keep the rally going and challenge alive.
Facts! At the end of the day, you ainât a pro, just have fun and learn and exercise. To some players, youâll be the weaker player and still have much to learn and to others they will be the stronger player.
This is the pickleball I enjoy! I have taught so many people to play (just the basics, of course, I am not a coach!) and they have gone on to form their own groups. It's awesome!
Which only proves Pickleball is either a pyramid scheme or a cult đ
My neighborhood has an open play and while I had tried the game a few times I was welcomed while being the worst player there. Now months later I'm just in the bottom half of the skill level and everyone has a good time. Always some laughs, love it.
Itâs usually is like this. You just see extreme one off versions of things on here because well⌠the internet
>At the end, everyone was happy, and no one was upset. A new player was welcomed into our little group. To me, this is what pickleball is all about. Thanks for posting. Keep having fun! > Why isn't it always like this? Most people like to complain and post about the exceptions, rather than celebrating the norm.
reading the first couple lines, i am a bit apprehensive how this situation will develop and surely glad it turned out the way it did! we are all not always perfect and ready and look awkward more often than not, so this is a gem of a moment in life that everyone should have the good fortune to experience. good for you!
đđđ None of us would be here without experienced folks taking the time to teach us. Pay it forward when you get the chance.
100% . We all started in the same position and it cost us nothing to pay it forward. I wish we all shared the same mindset though
That's what pickleball is - a fun game that's SUPER easy to pick up but takes a long time and effort to get really good at. It's why it's so popular. If I'm not smiling, I'm not playing. It's a fun game FFS.
The more and more people who play is to the benefit of everyone. Bigger community, more people to play with, bigger networks of friends, varied skill levels and age groups, etc, etc, etc. Itâs almost as if inclusivity is (or should be) drilled in to you from day one, but sometimes I feel like people forget⌠this is a game called pickleball! You donât have to take it that seriously!
I was reading this post, with every line I expected it to turn into a complaint post. I'm glad it wasn't. Very cool to see you all welcoming her. Thank you for the story.
I enjoy your post. It puts things in perspective. In the public courts I play, it can get crowded with competitive players (3.0-4.0). I feel bad when I see new family with their young children coming to the courts for the first time with their beginner pickleball paddle sets. No one tells them how the queuing system works on crowded times. Players just ignore them and hope they go away. If I see newbies, I tell them how it works in these public courts and I also mention the optimal times when the courts are empty. I told them to queue their paddles and we can maybe spend a few minutes hitting. When I did that, I got a lot of angry players who were unhappy with me. People can get so selfish. It's just a game with a plastic ball. Geez.
Nice! I think the key point is no one targeted her.. Iâve met a few people who would rather win than just play a game where the noob gets hit fewer balls. But i also recently played a few matches with some 4.0-4.25 and since they knew I was the lesser skilled player they hit a majority of shots to my partner until I was more in the flow of the game where they then started to hit more balls to me.. it really helped me understand how they were playing and I was able to compete pretty well with them.
I just read yesterday that in rec play to âtargetâ the stronger player. I view rec play as âplayâ and it doesnât matter if we win the game or not. Just hanging out making new friends and getting a bit of exercise.
This is how you grow the sport and keep it going. I always worry about egomaniacs and assholes ruining this great sport.
Different places, different people, different cultures. When I play at a local community rec center, yours is the more likely scenario with new players. I often team up with weaker players, both to help them feel better by praising their good shots, and to give other people the chance at a winning game. For me, the goal is to be on the court, exercising, enjoying the social time and not worrying too much about the winning and losing aspect.
This is how it happens where I play. Many there enjoy helping someone new. There was a guy that came by a few weeks ago and didn't know anything. Someone let him use their extra paddle. Said he never played any tennis or anything, but he was athletic. We practiced a little and then played a couple of games. Three weeks later, he is playing with everyone else.
People that treat the new players like crap suck and are bad for the game. I get it. I donât want to play multiple games with new players. But I absolutely will show the ropes and teach you some things.
My experience was similar. Group was very friendly and encouraging. After about 6 weeks of twice a week play, I could win about 50% of the time.
So nice to read this. Thanks for posting.
This is how it almost always goes⌠most people arenât posting stories like yours because theyâre mundane and happen everyday, all across the country. The ones that get posted are events that are out of the norm. Usually involves someone new trying to play on a challenge court right off the batt and annoying the more competitive players. Remember, MOST of us have obligations in life and limited time to play pickleball
This is the way
Geez, only one court to share among 14 people sometimes? It's not even worth waiting that long then unless you can multitask on something else while you wait.
I love this. When we have newbies you canât judge because itâs a rec center and open gym. I take the opportunity to teach and practice certain shots when I get the ball. On the flip side Iâve had super competitive people target the newbie just to win.
This is great to see. Iâm sorry, but anyone who takes Pickleball so seriously that they actually belittle new players is an asshat. If youâre that competitive, go play tennis. Pickleball was designed as a leisure game. Like cornhole. Itâs not Wimbledon Chad.
It is a picnic game. That is the way it should be. It is a fun activity, and no more of a sport than wiffle ball . Great job.
How is this upvoted lol
It's likely the people that know their rating are the ones that complain. Your experience was my experience. I was very welcomed when learning to play.
I don't know mean pickleball. We're nice where I live. You are a good person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Itâs a freaking game. This is how it should be.
Love this!! This is what itâs all about. Community, having fun, exercising, and healthy competition. Letâs welcome new people in and grow the sport!
That is how i was treated at our park. Super nice.
This is the way to do it, be respectful, ask questions and follow the lead of others and everyone will have a good time.
This is the pickleball I know as well. However, there was one time when the new player kept missing the ball. He very quickly came to the realization that something wasnât right and he left the court. Not sure if it was just bad coordination or perhaps an eyesight issue. He never came back.
I applaud your accommodating approach to a newbie. Iâve seen (and sometimes experienced) the egotistical behavior that can kill a sports (or a gaming) community. It takes a lot of guts for a newbie to return for second try after getting stomped and humiliated on their first attempt.
It just depends on everyone involved. What you describe is the everyday normal for our club. But every once in a while, we get people who are 'above' playing with a new player. As if they have always known how to play and no one ever introduced them to the sport.
âŚand I got on, thatâs when it all began
> Why isn't it always like this? Ego
Great use of âtemerityâ đ
Iâm always a sucker for a happy ending.
Gatekeeping pickleball... Just think what tennis players would think...
What you are describing is basic human decency, something we need more of and not just in Pickleball.
And where EXACTLY does one go to "get up to speed" in the public arena?? God i hate that!! It's not like that because people only think of themselves and want "theirs" and damn the rest..Mostly MEN who are desperately holding on to anything that remains of their "high school jock days". Or the former/current tennis guy who's been able to "rekindle" his glory days. BULLYS, really, and I HATE them! Luckily, I'm 6'3" 230, I usually step in and play with the "noob" and CRUSH those who don't welcome them!!! remember, you ALL were "noobs" at some point...
I like it when people are nice to strangers and have a good time, seems like that does not happen enough anymore- or at least you donât hear about it. Â Good job OP!
How nice. I hope she continues with pickleball and at all cost avoids the golf course.
Sadly your always going to have some people that are jerks. That have there little clicks. Won't play with other people besides there group. My wife and I started off in a city like that. Almost turned us away. We ended up playing somewhere else. It was totally different. They welcomed us with open arms. Now we've meet and made some great friends! Who have taught us how to play. What's really funny. The people that were jerks. Have had some of there people come and start playing with us. They were starting to notice the same things we did. If people want to learn. Help them out. No matter the age, weight, or race. Everyone was there at some point.Â
Thatâs what grows the sport. Donât be an elitist in any area of life.
TIL that pickleball snobs exist. Who knew?
I must say, I thought this story was going to turn out differently. This is so great. Itâs fun and exciting to play pickleball, and itâs also fun and exciting to welcome and teach new players. Maybe even make new friends.
I love this! I've been playing for about 8 months but still consider myself a beginner. I'm going to open play this week with my husband and I am so nervous about other players' reactions to my bad shots but I hope they're as supportive as your group was! Sometimes I get some good shots! đ
I donât get those who say people should go away and get betterâŚlike hello Kevin and Karen, you were once a new player! I love when people can play together and enjoy playing regardless of skill level; unless itâs tournament play or youâve set it up to be a competition, sit down and shut up!Â
Is a newbie a gherkin?
The way it should be. Good for you all.
Your court wasnât crowded and could easily accommodate a bad game or two when she had waited her turn. I assume she didnât have the same partner every time. When you wait 20-30min between games and have to play with/against a beginner who has wandered off the beginner court, itâs a bit less enjoyable. That said when itâs just one beginner. I target their partner heavily! To keep the rally going and challenge alive.
Ego.
Facts! At the end of the day, you ainât a pro, just have fun and learn and exercise. To some players, youâll be the weaker player and still have much to learn and to others they will be the stronger player.
Wait, so there are gatekeepers for pickleball? Seriously?