Pickleball advice you didn’t ask for, and how to handle it.

If you’ve played more than 3 points of pickleball in your life, odds are someone has offered you advice. Correction: cornered you with advice. Welcome to the unsolicited wisdom of the rec court know-it-all.

The Characters You’ll Meet

  • The YouTube Scholar: Has never taken a lesson but watches 12 hours of slow-motion paddle reviews weekly.
  • The Back-in-My-Dayer: “We didn’t even use paddles back then, we used spatulas… and we liked it.”
  • The Double Partner Critic: Will coach you from the net after missing every ball hit their way.

The Good News?

Some advice is solid. Like “don’t stand in the kitchen” (unless you’re making actual food). Or “watch their paddle, not the ball.” But when that advice is packaged with condescension, sarcasm, and the aroma of week-old sunscreen? That’s when we enter RP Mode™.

How to Survive the Advice Barrage

  1. Smile and Nod: Classic. Painless. Confuses the know-it-all just enough.
  2. Respond with Wild Exaggeration: “Oh I actually learned from a monk in Bali.”
  3. Bring Your Own Expert: Nothing defuses unwanted coaching like bringing an actual coach. Bonus if they have a whistle.

Why It’s Okay to Laugh

Everyone’s figuring it out. Including the guy who won’t stop telling you to “follow through.” You’re allowed to not know what you’re doing. That’s part of the game — and part of the fun.

Before You Go…

Yes, even *we* have a suggestion. If you’re tired of the “you know what you should do” crowd, distract them with how ridiculously good you look on the court. We recommend these head-turning pickleball sunglasses or this Amazon top-rated glove that screams “I came to dink and win.” (Affiliate links. You’re welcome.)

Follow Reluctant Pickle for more snark, sweat, and semi-solid advice. And remember, the only person who should be coaching you… is your therapist.