ISS. #3 | Unpacking Pickleball Pet Peeves: The Good, the Bad, and the Annoying

Pickleball, the beloved sport that combines the best of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, is not without its quirks and occasional frustrations. While most players embrace the fast-paced action and friendly competition, there are certain pet peeves that can ruffle some feathers on the court. Let's take a lighthearted look at some of these common annoyances that might make you want to lob your paddle in frustration. 

Constant Lobs: Ah, the dreaded lob – the shot that sails high into the air, seemingly taking forever to come back down. While lobs have their time and place in pickleball strategy, constantly bombarding your opponent with high-flying shots can quickly become a pet peeve. It disrupts the rhythm of the game and can feel like a never-ending game of catch-up for the player stuck constantly retrieving those pesky lobs. 

Can't Hear the Score: Picture this: you're in the middle of an intense rally, sweat dripping down your forehead, and suddenly, your opponent calls out the score. Except, you can't hear a word they're saying over the sound of your own heavy breathing and the bouncing pickleball. It's a common frustration on the court – communication is key in pickleball, and not being able to hear the score can throw off your game and lead to unnecessary confusion. 

Kicking the Ball Back: You've just hit a killer shot that sends the ball flying out of bounds, and your opponent is left scrambling to retrieve it. Instead of gracefully picking up the ball with their paddle, they opt for the less conventional method – kicking it back to you with their foot. It's a minor annoyance, but one that can make you wonder if you're playing pickleball or soccer. 

Constant Slamming: We've all encountered that one player who seems to think every shot requires maximum power and force. Whether it's a gentle dink or a delicate drop shot, they approach each shot with the same intensity, resulting in a cacophony of loud, echoing slams that reverberate across the court. It's like playing against a human jackhammer, and it can be more than a little grating on the nerves. 

Body Bagging: Last but not least, we have the infamous "body bag" shot – the one that's aimed directly at your midsection, leaving you scrambling to dodge out of the way or risk getting hit square in the gut. It's a move that's equal parts frustrating and borderline aggressive, and it can quickly turn a friendly game of pickleball into a tense standoff. 

While these pet peeves may occasionally rear their heads on the pickleball court, it's important to remember that they're all part of the game – the good, the bad, and the occasionally annoying. So next time you find yourself face to face with a constant lobber or a serial slammer, take a deep breath, laugh it off, and remember that at the end of the day, it's all just part of the pickleball experience.