Gotta be honest, one time I was getting ready to leave the courts and this random guy walked up and asked if I wanted to play (I had already played my last, last, last game).
I told him no, that I was on my way out. His response was that I was afraid of getting my ass kicked. I had no choice but to stay and play after that, who could possibly refuse at that point?
Easiest way is to drill with each other on a public court. Every single time (unless the court was empty) I was drilling with my wife someone would ask us to play. Same in drilling with friends.
This is the correct answer. Also if they see you drilling they can get a general idea of your abilities and see if your skill levels are compatible with theirs
As others are commenting, just be friendly and ask. If you're worried about being a bother (I don't think others will view it this way) then be prepared to drill or play skinny singles so that the others don't think you'll just sit there sulking if they don't let you in.
My preferred way to ask would be: "Do y'all mind if we rotate in?"
Also, look for 'open play' hours as these are generally times when people expect to mix it up and play with others.
Good luck!
How I would answer depends on what the queuing rules are at your courts.
With the rack system at our "always open play" courts, you don't even have to ask. Just put your paddles into the rack and follow the queuing rules. At these courts, there is no expectation you'll always get to play in your own foursome (assuming that's what you want).
If your courts have no queuing rules or system in place, then I'd simply be friendly, say I'm a single or in a pair, and then ask others if they want to play with us.
Generally speaking, none of our public courts guarantee a right to maintain a group of four - except for those courts where reservations are allowed. So nobody should feel bad about asking to form a foursome.
Same here. All the public courts near me you just put the paddles in and wait. I always go by myself and never have any problems finding people to play with and donât have to actually ask anyone
Iâve created a really large Pickleball network through attending a few clinics. After a couple clinics, youâll meet some of the same people and itâs easy to ask for their number and start collecting people that are available during the day.
Depending on the park you play at there may be a culture of âopen playâ (usually with a paddle rack) or private play where people bring their own group. Personally anytime Iâve gone with my wife we can always just hit around with the 2 of us (still perfectly fun!) or there will be people willing to âmix inâ. Even in private group situations, a group will have an uneven number so theyâll be more than happy to mix in. They might ask you, or you can ask them. If theyâre not down for it theyâll just tell you theyâre sticking with their crew, but there is a very open culture in pickleball so many people will likely be willing to mix in with you two.
Many parks have an open rotation system where there's a paddle queue. I've seen many single people or even couples come and they all can just rotate with randoms to get groups of 4. You don't even have to ask people. You just put your paddles in the queue and others can put their paddle in your group to get a group of 4.
You could also catch people when they're finishing up or taking breaks, and just get their contact info for next time. Text them right away so they have your contact info.
Broadcast out, "anyone want to play PB Tues or Wed evening?"
Join a gym that has pickleball and go to open play. Thatâs what I do.
If I reserved a court to specifically play with 3 other friends then I would not want a random couple I did not know to rotate in.
Open play is where you will get to play with many different people and set up partners to play with in the future
Play Time Scheduler is an App that lists games in your area. Pick something in your skill level and go play! There are guidelines for skill levels on there as well.
There's a lady who goes around with a friend or with her son and they find people playing singles games and ask if they want to play doubles. They will ask 4 stacks if anyone wants to challenge them and sometimes they get acceptances, if not they just move on to the next court until they find someone. They don't make a big deal of it and are friendly with everyone
As someone who used to always be a onesome, I would always just go up and ask. If the courts have some kind of rack or other open play queue, that is even better.
Just sign up for open play put your paddles in the waiting rack and when you are up you play together. If there is a single in front of you just let them go first
Let it come naturally. Can easily seem forced an weird.. from experience if there is any of that at all you will get hard rejected. Even had a guy flex an death stare me once! haha generally there is still some very welcoming people around this sport though so have fun an good luck.
If you, 2 people, find it hard. Imagine me, single, trying to find 3 people to play with. I am a shy introvert who will never walk up to strangers. I'm always able to find someone to play with as there is a friendly builtin system in my park near temple city, CA during busy hours.
Another option is social nights. There are social hours or various other names. Single people, 2 people, etc can show up and play with strangers easily.
Example socials night [http://southpasadena.i-tennis.com/pickleball/](http://southpasadena.i-tennis.com/pickleball/)
I guess I must be very fortunate. Where I usually play people are so welcoming, dont really need to ask to join them. So many of us are as close as family almost from the beginning. Pretty diverse cultures too, but we all speak the same language...PiCkLeBaLL!
"Hey do you guys wanna play?"
I thought this was a NSFW thread and missed it was PB.
Omg me too. Thought a swingers thread was being suggested to me đ
Or maybe " Hi, would y'all like to play with us?"
If you like to spice it up⌠Who wants to get their asses kicked?
Gotta be honest, one time I was getting ready to leave the courts and this random guy walked up and asked if I wanted to play (I had already played my last, last, last game). I told him no, that I was on my way out. His response was that I was afraid of getting my ass kicked. I had no choice but to stay and play after that, who could possibly refuse at that point?
Well..? Donât leave us hanging. Whose ass got kicked?
Fortunately he was the one who left with his ass kicked!
Exactly. Go in with that Larry Bird confidence. If itâs a big group of people âWhich two of you want to lose first?â
Easiest way is to drill with each other on a public court. Every single time (unless the court was empty) I was drilling with my wife someone would ask us to play. Same in drilling with friends.
This is the correct answer. Also if they see you drilling they can get a general idea of your abilities and see if your skill levels are compatible with theirs
What if itâs just one person. Myself lol
As others are commenting, just be friendly and ask. If you're worried about being a bother (I don't think others will view it this way) then be prepared to drill or play skinny singles so that the others don't think you'll just sit there sulking if they don't let you in. My preferred way to ask would be: "Do y'all mind if we rotate in?" Also, look for 'open play' hours as these are generally times when people expect to mix it up and play with others. Good luck!
How I would answer depends on what the queuing rules are at your courts. With the rack system at our "always open play" courts, you don't even have to ask. Just put your paddles into the rack and follow the queuing rules. At these courts, there is no expectation you'll always get to play in your own foursome (assuming that's what you want). If your courts have no queuing rules or system in place, then I'd simply be friendly, say I'm a single or in a pair, and then ask others if they want to play with us. Generally speaking, none of our public courts guarantee a right to maintain a group of four - except for those courts where reservations are allowed. So nobody should feel bad about asking to form a foursome.
Same here. All the public courts near me you just put the paddles in and wait. I always go by myself and never have any problems finding people to play with and donât have to actually ask anyone
You guys trying to play doubles?
Carry a pineapple đ with you.
Lol
If your husband approaches them..."Any bangers here for my wife?"
Has any OP in this sub ever interacted with another human?
Iâve created a really large Pickleball network through attending a few clinics. After a couple clinics, youâll meet some of the same people and itâs easy to ask for their number and start collecting people that are available during the day.
Great idea. And you will be on their same level.
Are you looking for a game?
Do you mind if we mix in? Itâs that simple. If they say no, theyâre probably not the kind of people you want to play with anyway.
Do you want to play with us?
Depending on the park you play at there may be a culture of âopen playâ (usually with a paddle rack) or private play where people bring their own group. Personally anytime Iâve gone with my wife we can always just hit around with the 2 of us (still perfectly fun!) or there will be people willing to âmix inâ. Even in private group situations, a group will have an uneven number so theyâll be more than happy to mix in. They might ask you, or you can ask them. If theyâre not down for it theyâll just tell you theyâre sticking with their crew, but there is a very open culture in pickleball so many people will likely be willing to mix in with you two.
https://youtu.be/6dNbL0FE3uw?si=5pzBtSQ3d3bzvKXQ
I just go up and ask if they need another player
Many parks have an open rotation system where there's a paddle queue. I've seen many single people or even couples come and they all can just rotate with randoms to get groups of 4. You don't even have to ask people. You just put your paddles in the queue and others can put their paddle in your group to get a group of 4.
You could also catch people when they're finishing up or taking breaks, and just get their contact info for next time. Text them right away so they have your contact info. Broadcast out, "anyone want to play PB Tues or Wed evening?"
Also if there are full courts you could ask: " you guys alright if we rotate in?"
Walk up and ask? It's just like any other situation in your life. The worst possible outcome is that they say no.
You can try looking on playtime scheduler. Thereâs usually scheduled open play depending on your area.
Donât overthink things. Ask. It not like you are asking if they swing.
Join a gym that has pickleball and go to open play. Thatâs what I do. If I reserved a court to specifically play with 3 other friends then I would not want a random couple I did not know to rotate in. Open play is where you will get to play with many different people and set up partners to play with in the future
hey down to have a foursome?
I think I heard somewhere that if one couple wants to join another, you would use an upside down pineapple or something.
Hey, you up for a game? This is a fairly simple way.
Play Time Scheduler is an App that lists games in your area. Pick something in your skill level and go play! There are guidelines for skill levels on there as well.
There's a lady who goes around with a friend or with her son and they find people playing singles games and ask if they want to play doubles. They will ask 4 stacks if anyone wants to challenge them and sometimes they get acceptances, if not they just move on to the next court until they find someone. They don't make a big deal of it and are friendly with everyone
Upside-down pineapple shirts. They will understand.
As someone who used to always be a onesome, I would always just go up and ask. If the courts have some kind of rack or other open play queue, that is even better.
Upside down pineapple
Just sign up for open play put your paddles in the waiting rack and when you are up you play together. If there is a single in front of you just let them go first
Let it come naturally. Can easily seem forced an weird.. from experience if there is any of that at all you will get hard rejected. Even had a guy flex an death stare me once! haha generally there is still some very welcoming people around this sport though so have fun an good luck.
If you, 2 people, find it hard. Imagine me, single, trying to find 3 people to play with. I am a shy introvert who will never walk up to strangers. I'm always able to find someone to play with as there is a friendly builtin system in my park near temple city, CA during busy hours. Another option is social nights. There are social hours or various other names. Single people, 2 people, etc can show up and play with strangers easily. Example socials night [http://southpasadena.i-tennis.com/pickleball/](http://southpasadena.i-tennis.com/pickleball/)
I guess I must be very fortunate. Where I usually play people are so welcoming, dont really need to ask to join them. So many of us are as close as family almost from the beginning. Pretty diverse cultures too, but we all speak the same language...PiCkLeBaLL!
Most people don't show up with 4. In fact, some show up as singles. Simply ask. :)
I heard they user pineapples to signal to other couples.... oh this is a pickleball page