While You Play: Play Smart, Not Scared
Pickleball is supposed to be fun.
But once the game gets moving, it's easy to get caught up in the rally and forget about where you're moving, how fast you're moving, and what's happening around you.
The goal isn't to play timidly. The goal is to play aware.
I'm Coach Linda, and I'm known for making pickleball simple, approachable, and less intimidating—especially for beginners and adults 50+.
Here are the habits I want you to take onto the court.
Important: This article provides general educational information, not individualized medical advice. If you have an injury, concerning symptoms, or a health condition that affects your ability to exercise, talk with your healthcare professional.
1. Watch the Court, Not Just the Ball
Of course you need to watch the ball. But you also need to know: Where is your partner? Where are your opponents? Where is the sideline? Is another ball rolling onto the court? What is happening on the neighboring court?
Good court awareness helps you make better decisions and reduces unnecessary collisions and surprises.
Coach Linda's rule: See the ball. Know the court. Know your people.
2. Move Under Control
Pickleball rewards movement, but more movement isn't automatically better movement. You may need to move quickly. You also need to be able to stop.
Keep your feet active, take controlled steps, stay balanced, keep your eyes up when possible, and give yourself room to stop.
Smart movement is not slow movement. It's controlled movement.
3. Don't Backpedal Without Looking
If a ball sends you backward, don't automatically run backward without knowing what's behind you.
Whenever possible, turn, shuffle or use controlled steps rather than blindly backpedaling.
4. Don't Chase Every Ball
Sometimes the ball is simply too far away. Sometimes another player has a better angle. Sometimes trying to save one ball creates a bigger problem than letting it go.
Before you take off, ask: Can I get there safely?
One point is not worth a reckless sprint.
5. Give Yourself Room to Stop
When you move forward, sideways or toward the kitchen, don't think only about getting to the ball. Think about getting there under control.
A balanced player can: Move → stop → recover → play the next ball.
6. Keep Your Eyes Up Around Other Courts
If you're playing at a busy facility, there may be several games happening inches away from you.
USA Pickleball's sportsmanship guidance says that if a ball enters your court and creates a safety concern, players should warn others with "ball" or another clear warning; when crossing behind an active court, wait until play stops and cross quickly.
Safety habit: Don't walk behind an active rally just because the path looks clear. Wait. Let the point finish. Then move.
7. What Should You Do When a Ball Rolls Onto Your Court?
Don't automatically stop everything and chase it. Look first.
If the ball presents a danger to someone, warn the players. If it is safely behind the court and isn't a hazard, wait until play stops to retrieve it or return it.
Remember: People first. Ball second.
8. Pace Yourself
You don't have to play every rally at maximum effort.
Think about how long you've already been playing, how hot it is, how hard you're breathing, whether your movement is still controlled, and how much energy you have left.
The goal is to finish your session feeling like you could have made better decisions—not that you had to prove something.
9. Pay Attention to Heat
Outdoor pickleball in hot weather deserves extra attention.
The CDC says people who exercise in the heat are more likely to become dehydrated and develop heat-related illness, and recommends pacing activity, drinking more water than usual, and stopping activity if you feel faint or weak. Older adults can also be more vulnerable to heat-related problems.
On a hot day: Play earlier or later when possible. Drink regularly. Take breaks. Look for shade or air conditioning. Don't ignore unusual weakness or dizziness.
If you feel faint or weak: STOP. Get to a cooler place and take the situation seriously.
10. Keep Your Water Close
This is where a simple piece of gear can make life easier. You don't want to finish a long rally and realize your water is sitting halfway across the facility.
Coach Linda's pick: JOOLA Water Bottle
11. Protect Your Eyes
Pickleballs can move quickly and unpredictably. Some players choose dedicated protective eyewear for an added layer of eye protection during play.
Coach Linda's Trusted Gear recommendation: JOOLA RJX Lite Eyewear
This is a product recommendation, not medical advice.
12. Wear Shoes That Help You Move
Your shoes aren't going to play the point for you. But the right footwear can support comfortable movement.
Look for good fit, comfort, lateral stability, and a sole suited to the court surface.
13. Communicate With Your Partner
Good doubles teams communicate. You don't need a complicated vocabulary.
Sometimes it is simply: "Mine." "Yours." "Out." "Switch." "Got it."
And remember: Avoid blaming. USA Pickleball's sportsmanship guidance encourages players to be respectful and supportive partners and to avoid criticism and negative non-verbal communication.
14. Don't Give Unwanted Coaching
You may see something your partner could improve. Unless they ask: Don't turn the game into a lesson.
USA Pickleball's sportsmanship guidance recommends providing coaching and advice only when requested.
Try: "Nice try. Next point." That's often more useful.
15. Respect the Other Players
Good court awareness includes social awareness.
Don't criticize opponents. Don't complain about every close call. Don't intentionally blast balls at weaker social-play opponents. Don't use frustration as an excuse for poor behavior.
USA Pickleball encourages stronger players in social play to be considerate of less-skilled players and avoid excessively targeting or slamming balls at them.
Competitive doesn't have to mean inconsiderate.
16. Make Honest Line Calls
In recreational play, line calls are often made by the players.
The current USA Pickleball rules state that players should strive for accuracy and resolve questionable calls in favor of the opponent.
If you're sure it's out: Call it. If you're not sure: Give the benefit of the doubt.
17. Know When to Slow Down
There is nothing wrong with taking a moment.
If you're unusually tired, losing your footing, struggling to control your movement, getting overheated, or feeling dizzy or weak, don't pretend nothing is happening.
Adjust. Take a break. Get water. Move somewhere cooler if needed.
The CDC specifically advises stopping activity and moving to a cool place if you feel faint or weak in hot conditions.
18. Play Your Game—Not Somebody Else's
One of the easiest ways to make pickleball harder than it needs to be is trying to play at someone else's speed.
You don't need to hit every ball hard. You don't need to chase every ball. You don't need to prove your fitness.
You need to make good decisions.
Smart pickleball is about choices, not just effort.
The While-You-Play Safety Checklist
- WATCH — Know where the ball, players and court boundaries are.
- MOVE — Use controlled movement and give yourself room to stop.
- PACE — Don't make every rally a maximum-effort event.
- HYDRATE — Keep water available.
- COMMUNICATE — Talk to your partner.
- PROTECT — Use appropriate gear and court awareness.
- LISTEN — Pay attention when your body tells you something is wrong.
Coach Linda's Simple Court Formula
SEE → MOVE → PACE → PLAY
SEE what is happening around you.
MOVE under control.
PACE yourself.
PLAY smart.
That's the goal. Not perfect pickleball. Smart pickleball.
Want to Learn More?
You now know what to do while you're on the court. The next question is what to do when the game ends.
Learn practical ways to recover, rehydrate, rest and get ready for your next session.
Need Trusted Gear?
A few pieces of equipment can support a more comfortable playing experience.
Keep Learning With Coach Linda
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The Pickleball Essentials: Navigating the Game, the Courts, and the Culture helps you understand the game, the courts and the social side of pickleball.
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