Let's Talk - Communication!

Communication: Your Most Underrated Weapon on Court

These days, many of us have settled into a non-confrontational way of getting our needs across — usually through a phone screen — leaving the actual voice box on the sideline while the rest of the pickleball world chats away. But communication is vital to what happens on the court, and just as important during any coaching or strategy talk between games. Unless you're playing singles, your doubles partner should know what you see, hear, feel, want, or need throughout the match.

In any sport, when multiple players share the field, we call that a team. Teams communicate — before, during, and after every play. It's crucial to how the game unfolds and to how success is built. Watch any team, amateur or professional, two players or eleven, and you'll always hear someone talking.

So — are you communicating with your partner?

Pickleball, like any team sport, runs on communication with your partner. "Mine," "yours," "me," "you," "out," "bounce," "watch out," "play it" — these are the quick calls you should be making to share what you're seeing in real time. And it's not just during the point. Before the match even starts, you and your partner should have a plan — a strategy you're both working toward for a successful outcome.

Without a plan or a path, where exactly are you going?

This doesn't just apply to tournament play, either. Most pickleball happens at the recreational level, and you likely already know the people you're playing with, along with their tendencies. Use that. As I always stress in Pickleball CPR Drills — play with purpose, both in your shot selection and in what you're setting out to do.

Communication doesn't need to be a long, detailed breakdown. A quick comment or a simple strategy is often enough to get your team moving as one. A basic game plan puts you both on the same page, with a clear target to work toward.

Here's what that communication might sound like in practice.

Pregame:

• "Hey, let's play Ben's backhand on the serve."

• "I'm going slow and easy on returns today — I'm a little stiff."

• "I've got the middle on my forehand side."

• "Cover the line on Jane — she likes to drive it when the forehand sideline's open."

During the game:

• "Jack's poaching the middle — let's set them up and catch him out of position."

• "Bob's all over the place today — let's keep him off balance."

• "Rhonda lobs a lot — be ready to cover the back door."

Using the Pickleball CPR grid system makes this kind of communication even faster and more precise. Get familiar with the basic PB9 Grid, and a quick exchange might sound like:

• "Jon's weak at zone 3 at the NVZ — keep working him to the sideline."

• "Emily's overplaying zone 8 — look for a zone 7 shot."

• "Serve to zone 9, backhand."

Once you're both speaking the same language, the possibilities are endless.

Post-game (or between games in a best-of series):

• "They're slow getting to the NVZ after we push them back — let's work the angles and keep it deep."

• "Jack's crossing over in his footwork and losing his balance — work him there."

• "Sue's drop shot is hanging high — look for the chance to drive it back."

• "Watch for Mary poaching the middle when she's on the even court."

There are thousands of situations out there, and just as many ways to talk through them — but the underlying point is the same: talk to your partner, all the time. Information is powerful. Knowing what to do with it gives you the edge.

You don't need to be a play-by-play announcer out there, but the right comment at the right moment makes your team stronger.

Let's be honest — most of us play to win. Not at any cost, but there will be a winner and a loser, and winning is a lot more fun. You won't get there in silence. Talking — actually using your voice — will get you there faster. Texting mid-point isn't an option. Even hand signals count, if that's your style; plenty of regular partnerships use signals to set up serves, plan a poach, or exploit an opponent's weak spot. When both players are working from the same playbook, the outcome tends to follow.

I've heard plenty of players say, "I can't talk while I'm playing," or "why are you yelling at me?" That last one always gets me — I play with energy and excitement, and I know it can come across as loud, but I promise, it's enthusiasm, not aggression. My usual response: "I'm not yelling at you, I'm telling you what I see. You'll know when I'm yelling at you." (Ha!)

I won't pretend to fully understand the players who prefer silence — that's just not been my experience — but I try to encourage everyone to find their voice on the court. If you want to succeed as a team, you need to talk. Every good relationship runs on good communication, and this one's no different.

So next time you step onto the court, add communication to your arsenal. You might just find that talking with your partner is the start of something more — a stronger team, and maybe even a stronger friendship.