Tips on Partner Communication

Sometimes you can play a game with a complete stranger and it just clicks. You’re moving up to the non-volley line together, you know who’s taking the middle ball and who’s taking that third shot of the rally.

Then, there are some players who you feel the complete opposite with, you can’t seem to get a rally going, you both hit to take the put-away shot and you’re somehow ending up in a staggered formation.

Whether there’s natural synergy or not, it is useful to incorporate consistent communication tactics into your game...

Photo credit: Angela Wilhelm/Asheville Citizen Times

Recently, I’ve given a few lessons solely focused on tournament preparation. For these lessons it’s not about delivering new information or practicing new strategies, it’s more about fine tuning the skills they’re confident with.

I also really emphasize the practice of diligent teamwork. Even if the two players have opposite styles (ie. one dinker and one banger) there’s no reason why they can’t get on the same page when it comes to communication.

During a Point

It’s important to understand that talking during a point and communicating between partners are two different things.

Some players have a tendency to react to the play with sounds or words which can distract the other team.

USA Pickleball clearly defines a physical distraction (including vocal) as an infraction of the game, so defined, in fact, that “distraction” appears twice in the rulebook.

'3.A.6. Distraction – Physical actions by a player that are ‘not common to the game’ that, in the judgment of the referee, may interfere with the opponent’s ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to, making loud noises, stomping feet, waving the paddle in a distracting manner or otherwise interfering with the opponent’s concentration or ability to hit the ball.'

'11. J Distractions. Players may not distract an opponent when the opponent is about to play the ball. If in the judgment of the referee a distraction has occurred, the referee shall immediately call a fault on the offending team.'

By these rules, the time to communicate with your partner is once the other team has made their shot and the ball is in the air.

For anyone who’s played tournaments or competitive games, you know there’s a lot you can say to your partner during a rally.

For example: calling one another off of an out ball. In this situation it’s best to say something like “leave it” or “no”; rather than saying “out” before the ball has gone beyond the court dimensions, saying “out” can cause confusion for the other side, as they might think you’re making a line call, which you cannot do before the ball has landed.

Claiming the middle ball is important in order to avoid confusion in the middle. Calling “mine” or stating “yours” or “you go” is a clear way of expressing who should take the shot.

Many players like to have the forehand player take the middle ball. However, what if you’re right handed playing with a left handed teammate and both your forehands are in the middle?

The next go-to would be that the person who is standing in the natural flight path of the ball should take the shot; this can be best described as the ball is travelling diagonally across the net, the person on that diagonal should take the ball versus their teammate cutting off the natural flight path.

Photo credit: Colorado Springs Gazette/MCT via Getty Images

A great time to use clear communication is during a moment when you and your partner switch sides of the court.

Before the rally has begun, players will signal one another with their hand to show they want to switch sides (this is also known as stacking, keep your eye out for a future article on the breakdown of how to stack), however, switching sides also happens during a rally.

When a team lobs their opponent someone has to run back to retrieve the ball. It’s up to either player (the person retrieving the lob or the one covering the front half of the court) to call “stay” or “switch”. Without this communication, both players may end up on the same side of the court.

When playing with a fixed partner (aka regular partner), you should be building consistent lingo so you can stay on the same page. I have a habit of saying “ok” when I’m taking the third shot.

Well, I’m constantly playing with new players and “ok” is confusing, it doesn’t really explain what is going to happen next. I think it’s just one of my quirks that players get used to with me.

Between Rallies

There are many players who talk between points and there are some who barely say a word the entire match.

I’ve played against teams who talk so much it almost feels like they are intentionally slowing the game down, for whatever reason, maybe to make the other team impatient.

Some choose to do it to exchange words of positivity, share strategies and generally check in with one another. But on the other hand, some require minimal talking in order to stay focused or to maintain momentum.

If you take a look at some pro matches, someone like Riley Newman very rarely talks between rallies, especially when he and Catherine Parenteau pair up and the same between Collin and Ben Johns. However, Anna-Leigh and Leigh Waters are pretty consistent at chatting between points.

All that said, communication doesn’t have to always be vocal. Something small such as a paddle tap or high five and conveys teamwork and positivity and ultimately creates camaraderie.

Before a Match

Prior to a match, teams should discuss as much as they feel is necessary. A less competitive match will more than likely mean less pre-discussion. I’ve walked into games and the exchange of words pretty much is “nice to meet you, forehand takes middle?” and that’s about it.

But in a more competitive environment, here’s where not having the same communication style can really hinder a team. One player might like or need to strategize but their teammate needs to stay loose and calm by not listening to music talking and strategizing will often tighten them up.

Finding that compatibility within a partner is great but oftentimes teams need to work towards solid communication.

Make time to practice together to get to know one another on court - and play games against one another to observe the player from a different perspective; this is a very effective way to get to know another player when you’re in a new partnership.

After a Match

Again, not every player is going to need or want to talk after a match. There are benefits of doing so, however, that can help players grow individually and as a team. For one, some may take a loss heavier than others.

A brief talk may help put that match behind a team so they can look forward to the rest of the day. On the flip side, taking a win (often an easy win) can make a team ease off their focus and may walk into the next match feeling overly confident.

Communication after a day of competition is particularly useful when teams want to go back to the drawing board and spend more time strategizing together.

Putting in this type of work will most definitely improve your game. The changes might be subtle and hard to notice right away, but just believe that it will pay off eventually.

Ultimately, think of communication this way: pickleball is a team sport and both teammates should feel supported. The best way to support someone is through effective communication.

And, if you’re ever curious to know how much talking occurs during a point between partners, watch some footage of the inaugural Major League Pickleball event. The players were mic’d up and full of chatter.

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