Pickleball is all about fun, fitness, and friendly competition. But let’s be real—there are certain things that can seriously grind our gears on the court.
Here’s a lighthearted look at some of the biggest pickleball “icks” that we all love to hate, along with why we totally agree they’re the worst.
1. Balls Everywhere: The Court is Not a Minefield!
Pro player Callie Smith hits the nail on the head with this one: “My biggest ick is when people train or practice with balls laying all over the court. It drives me nuts, not to mention it’s an injury just waiting to happen.”
Picture this—you’re about to execute the perfect dink, only to trip over a rogue ball and faceplant. Not exactly what you had in mind, right?
We agree, keep the court clear, folks!
2. The Wild Slammer: Aim, Please!
One player shared their frustration with those who just love to slam high balls without any consideration: “My biggest ick is when a player slams a high ball without aiming, and it flies by someone’s face—or into it. And the hitter doesn’t apologize.”
Nothing says “I don’t care” quite like a ball whizzing past your nose. A little courtesy and aim wouldn’t hurt, would it?
3. Grunting Overload: Save It for the Gym
Here’s a fun one: “I don’t like those who think they have to grunt every time their paddle hits the ball. Some folks do it even when they dink.”
We get it, pickleball can be intense, but unless you’re lifting weights with that paddle, maybe tone down the grunting. Especially on those gentle dinks—it’s just awkward!
4. The Scorekeeper from Hell: Let’s Just Play
Another big ick: “My biggest pet peeve is when someone calls the wrong score, serves anyway, and then we all end up arguing about it during the game.” We’re here to play, not to have a math debate!
Getting the score wrong not only slows down the game but also sparks unnecessary drama. Let’s agree to focus on the game, not the digits.
5. The Serial Slicer: Every. Single. Ball.
Someone vented: “When someone slices Every. Single. Ball!!!” We’re all for mixing up shots, but if all you’ve got is a slice, it gets predictable—and annoying.
How about spicing things up with a little variety? It might just make the game more fun for everyone.
6. The Watch Caller: Really? Right Now?
This one’s just plain rude: “It really bugs me when someone answers their Apple Watch in the middle of a game, leaving the rest of us just standing there waiting for them to finish their call.”
Seriously, we’re in the middle of a game, and you’re taking a call? Unless it’s an emergency, maybe let the watch go to voicemail. We’ve got a match to win!
7. The “Drama Queen” Over a Missed Shot
A shared ick: “That player who throws a mini tantrum every time they mess up a shot.” We get it, you’re passionate about the game, but acting like the world is ending after every mistake?
Let’s keep it fun and remember, we’re all here to enjoy the game—even when we’re not playing perfectly.
8. The Cheap Gear Lover: Get with the Times
One player shared this frustration: “People who are overly cheap drive me nuts. They don’t see the value in quality gear and always go for the cheapest option possible.” We all love a good deal, but there’s a difference between thrifty and downright cheap.
Investing in decent gear isn’t just about status—it’s about playing your best and respecting the game. So, let’s upgrade those paddles, shall we?
9. The “Line Caller” Who Sees Everything
We’ve all met this player: “The person who calls the ball out when it’s clearly in, just because they’re not willing to give up a point.” Come on, we’re here to have fun, not to debate every line call.
Being overly strict with line calls doesn’t just slow down the game—it kills the vibe.
10. The Unnecessary Coach: Let Me Play My Game
Here’s a classic: “It’s annoying when someone offers unsolicited advice after every single point.”
While we all appreciate a good tip now and then, having someone constantly coach you during a casual game can be a real buzzkill. Sometimes, we just want to enjoy the game without a play-by-play analysis.
11. The Never-Ending Warm-Up: Let’s Get to the Game
And finally: “That one player who spends way too long warming up, turning what should be a quick stretch into a full-on practice session.” We love warming up as much as the next player, but when it drags on, it eats into actual game time.
Let’s save the extended practice for another day and jump into the fun!
12. Bonus Ick: Aim When Returning the Ball
Our Pickleball Union newsletter subscriber, Elise, shared an ick that we fully agree with: when sending a ball over the net to the opposing team’s server, actually aim in their direction instead of making them chase it down. Major pet peeve!
We’re All in This Together—Sort of
At the end of the day, these icks remind us that while pickleball is a blast, it’s not without its quirks. Whether it’s balls scattered across the court, wild slams, or grunting fits, we all have those little things that get under our skin. But hey, that’s what makes the game interesting, right?
Be sure to check out our article on the tough truths every pickleball beginner needs to know.
Just remember, the next time you’re on the court, try not to be someone else’s pickleball ick!
