Pickleball players love to pretend we’re all positive, supportive, happy little dinking machines. But deep down? Every player has a toxic trait lurking beneath the surface. Some are harmless. Some are hilarious. Some should probably earn you a temporary suspension from open play.
At Pickle Tough, we believe honesty is healthy. So let’s talk about the big four.
Speeding Up EVERY Ball
You know the player.
The rally starts with soft dinks… everyone’s patient… everyone’s strategic… and then BOOM, they speed up a ball from three inches below the net directly into someone’s shoulder.
Again.
And again.
And honestly? We respect it.
Look, some players were simply not built for the slow, dink lifestyle. Pickle Tough players aren’t out there trying to reenact a chess match at the kitchen line. We came to compete. We came to attack. We came to see if reflexes still work under pressure.
Is speeding up every ball always the “correct” shot? Absolutely not.
Is it more fun? Also absolutely yes.
There’s something beautiful about a player who sees every dink as an opportunity instead of a waiting room.
Targeting the Weaker Player
Now this one gets people heated.
In rec play? Targeting the weaker player is lame. Everybody knows it. Open play is supposed to be social, competitive, and fun. Freezing out the stronger player because you’re hunting wins against beginners isn’t exactly earning respect around the courts.
But tournaments?
Different story.
Tournament pickleball is not group therapy. It’s competition. If one player is weaker, the smart teams will test them over and over until they prove they can handle the pressure. That’s not toxic. That’s strategy.
The best competitors understand the difference between recreational sportsmanship and competitive play. One environment is about building the community. The other is about surviving and advancing.
Know the setting.
Celebrating Way Too Hard
Here’s the official Pickle Tough ruling:
If your celebration is funny and includes some quality trash talk, you’re probably good.
A little swagger makes sports entertaining. Nobody remembers the team that politely whispered “good point” after every rally. They remember energy. Personality. Chaos.
Now, if you’re chest, thumping after every missed serve in a 2.5 rec game? That’s different. Calm down, Kobe.
But a perfectly timed celebration after an ATP? Acceptable.
Pointing at your partner after a firefight win? Acceptable.
Talking just enough trash to make everyone laugh? Elite behavior.
Pickleball needs personalities. Just keep it fun and don’t cross the line from entertaining into obnoxious.
Offering Unsolicited Coaching
This one may be the most dangerous toxic trait of all.
Nothing says “I never want to partner with you again” quite like giving unsolicited advice after every point.
“Try keeping your paddle up.”
“You need to move your feet more.”
“You should’ve let that bounce.”
Thank you, Coach. Truly life, changing information.
Here’s the reality: unsolicited coaching is usually passive, aggressive pickleball disguised as helpfulness. Most players aren’t trying to teach — they’re trying to separate themselves from the mistakes happening on the court.
And if you keep doing it? Congratulations. You’ve officially become “that person” everyone avoids during paddle stack rotations.
Now, if somebody asks for advice, help them out. Pickleball grows through community and learning. But unless someone requests coaching, maybe save the mid, game TED Talk for later.
Final Thoughts
The truth is, every pickleball player has a little toxicity in them. That competitive edge is part of what makes the sport addictive, hilarious, and ridiculously entertaining.
The key is knowing when to lean into it… and when to dial it back.
Until then:
Speed up the ball.
Talk a little trash.
Celebrate the ATP.
Just maybe don’t coach strangers at open play.