Pickleball Etiquette: Keeping the Game Fun, Fair, and Friendly
A practical guide to pickleball etiquette with tips on calling scores, handling disputes, and keeping games fun for everyone.
As pickleball continues to grow, one thing has become clear to us at Storq Labs: the game thrives not just because it's fun and accessible - but because of the community around it.
This post exists for a simple reason.
We kept hearing the same questions, comments, and frustrations from friends, family, and a growing group of users who play regularly: "We love pickleball… but it can be tough to get up to speed on rules and etiquette"
Missed scores. Confusion about serving. Small disagreements that interrupt a great game.
So we listened - and just like with our app - we wrote this to help.
👉 Download Pickleball Score Counter: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pickleball-score-counter/id6757720005
Below is a practical, real-world guide to pickleball etiquette, with special attention to scoring, because that's where things most often go sideways.
1. Always Call the Score Clearly (Before Every Serve)
This is one of the most important - and most overlooked - parts of pickleball etiquette.
Before serving:
- Call your score
- Then your opponent's score
- Then the server number (in doubles)
Calling the score out loud:
- Keeps everyone aligned
- Prevents mid-rally confusion
- Avoids unnecessary disputes later
If no one clearly remembers the score, etiquette says replay the point - not argue it.
This exact moment is something we heard about repeatedly, and it's why many players now use a simple scorekeeping app on the court. When the score is visible and shared, the game stays smooth.
2. If There's Confusion, Pause - Don't Push Through
Pickleball is fast and social, which makes it easy to accidentally keep playing when something feels "off."
Good etiquette means:
- Stop play if the score isn't clear
- Reset calmly
- Confirm before serving again
Trying to rush past confusion usually leads to frustration later. Taking 10 seconds to reset keeps the match friendly and fair.
3. Be Patient With New Players (We All Started Somewhere)
Pickleball attracts players of all ages - which is part of what makes it special.
If someone:
- Calls the wrong score
- Serves out of turn
- Forgets the server number
That's okay.
A quick, friendly reminder goes a long way. The culture of pickleball works best when experienced players help newer ones feel welcome - not embarrassed.
4. Avoid "Score Arguing" (It's Not Worth It)
Every pickleball court has seen it: Two players, same rally, two different memories.
Proper etiquette says:
- If the score can't be agreed on quickly, replay the point
- Don't let pride turn into tension
- Remember why you're there - to play, not officiate
This is another reason players asked us for a better way to track score. When everyone can see it, arguments disappear.
5. Respect the Flow of the Game
Simple habits help everyone enjoy the match:
- Don't serve until everyone is ready
- Retrieve balls quickly
- Keep side conversations off the court during play
- Acknowledge good shots - even from opponents
Pickleball etiquette is less about strict rules and more about shared respect and good vibes.
6. Technology Should Help - Not Get in the Way
We heard this directly from players in our own circle: They didn't want anything fancy. They just wanted a clear, reliable way to keep score.
That's why we built Pickleball Score Counter the way we did:
- Big, easy-to-read scores
- Simple taps
- No clutter
- No learning curve
It's there to support the game - not distract from it.
Built From Real Conversations, Not Assumptions
This article - like our app - exists because people asked for it.
Friends. Family members. Players who love pickleball but wanted fewer interruptions and more flow.
Our user base is growing every day, and the feedback has stayed consistent: keep it simple, keep it friendly, keep it fun.
That's the heart of pickleball etiquette - and the heart of what we build at Storq Labs.
If something small keeps interrupting a game you love, it's worth fixing.
Play pickleball. Enjoy the moment. Let the score take care of itself.
Building in Public
We're actively building, shipping, and experimenting. If you want to follow along, see what's coming next, or give feedback, you can find us here:
👉 Website: https://www.storqlabs.com/ 👉 X (Twitter): https://x.com/StorqLabs
