Middle school antics at pickleball!

Discussion

Why has the pickleball court become home for the middle school antics of adults? Not only do we have the “cliques” but in league play they are sabotaging your own game when teamed up randomly against their “friends”.

Prime example, during box play, you play with all 3 other players. I literally had a certified coach missing serves, lobbing out of play etc to guarantee her friend wouldn’t have to play in the sudden death round aka lowest scoring. Then the other 2 rounds vs me, couldn’t miss. Cross court poaching when said friend was targeted etc.

I’m venting? Yes, I know it’s just a game. But, I’m truly disappointed with the childish behavior. Tonight made me not want to go back. Of course, I was last. I didn’t even have the heart to fight in the sudden death rounds.

This isn’t the only time favoritism has occurred: last week playing with a mother who knew I need the points and game to get to the finals. 1. Added points to the other team (adult daughter over there) and whiffed at balls, lobbed out of play. To win, I had to poach her side. Other people were watching and told me as well. I didn’t catch the score change but they all did.

It’s soul crushing.

in Pickleballby Coffeetimeagain

42%

1mo

foldinthechhese

1mo

I’ve played pickleball for a long time. I’ve never played with anyone that would find this acceptable. If people aren’t going to play, I’m leaving. If your only league option is this, don’t play league. This isn’t normal or acceptable. I’d smack a few at their chest and then walk off without saying a word.

No_Comfortable8099

1mo

Well, it probably didn’t happen for the reasons described, so there is that.

foldinthechhese

1mo

Can you explain what you mean? I don’t follow you.

No_Comfortable8099

1mo

She is saying players play worse with her on purpose. This is her opinion of there intentions, and assuming one person is losing on purpose with her seems ridiculous, but now saying they are doing this on multiple courts seems like conspiracy theory. That is even if they actually played worse with her.

I mentioned in another post is the obvious reason if they missed more is the felt they had to do more to make ip for having the least skilled partner. Stronger players sometimes feel they have to win points before their partner loses a point.

Lfehova

1mo

I’m still relatively new to pickleball, but I’ve joined three leagues now and everyone is extremely courteous and play with great sportsmanship. Literally everyone calls the ball in or out for you if they saw it, and everyone offers to replay the point if there is some discrepancy.

If you aren’t exaggerating, then your league has some bad eggs and you should just quit and join a different one. It sounds like an anomaly in the pickleball community.

User deleted comment

1mo

itakeyoureggs

1mo

Yeah. Wonder if the league is higher level and they let this person in mistakenly? Doubtful but I’ve just never seen these kinda antics before. Could be playstyle related. Either way.. until they communicated beforehand it’s pretty shitty

No_Comfortable8099

1mo

The bar for being a certified coach is very low. Not all are good players. This might have happened as you suggest, but it seems more of your impression.

Lets start with you. Have you ever missed a serve or a lob? We all have, so thinking it is on purpose when they do it, but your misses aren’t is a little odd.

I am probably about to offend you. When in mixed talent groups play can be different. When one is playing with the worst player on the court and are getting beat the stronger player sometimes has to resort to “Hero Ball” and win points before their partner loses points. Going for winners on serves and lob winners are seen as better options than getting in a dink rally where the least skilled player gets targeted and then pops one up or dumps it into the net.

I hate to break this to you, that is the more probable reason, not a full league conspiring against you.

callingleylines

1mo

This was my immediate impression.

OP finished dead last. Strong evidence that they're the weakest player.

OP was making excuses like "I didn't have the heart to play" -- admitting that even they realize their play was bad enough to require excuses.

OP was surprised/impressed by poaching. Poaching is pretty common even for rote beginners. OP bringing up poaching as evidence that the coach was skilled just shows how unskilled OP is.

I do not trust OP's judgment on if errors were intentional cheating/collusion. Bad play is extremely common among low level players, and intentional cheating/collusion is extremely rare. Who WANTS to throw a game?

Coffeetimeagain

1mo

Wrong- on so many “ass’umptions” it’s an advanced league. I’ve played weeks before w/ different players. Had a great, competitive time.

This was keep my friend out of the elimination round. Plain and simple.

callingleylines

1mo

If you belong in "advanced play" why did you lose your other games and end up dead last in your group? And why did you lose in the elimination game, a game that could not have involved any conspiracy. You still couldn't beat the worst players there.

You're also complaining about an identical conspiracy involving different people in an earlier week.

Maybe people play well against you because you're the weakest player, and then play bad with you because you're the weakest player. Plain and simple.

The alternative is that you're so singularly unpleasant that multiple independent groups have gotten together to conspire against you, which is believable after talking to you.

Coffeetimeagain

1mo

Lord you are great at assuming aren’t you. Wrong AGAIN, same town, different type of league night. Which btw- I did great despite the mother/daughter colluding.

Funny thing, one was missing this week and the other well, let’s just say she wasn’t completely last. Others commented on the difference.

And I’m done answering your assumptions- go bother someone else

thinknewthoughts

1mo

I have noticed that the people who just got out of a league together appear to treat the non-league or new guys differently in open play. I'm one of the outsiders. What you described sounds really petty. Sounds like a good time to switch things up a bit and head over to some alternate venues around town. Take a clinic 20 minutes away. Go to a gym where it's rec open play. Enjoy meeting up with new crowds. Improve your own game. Rotate back to the other players randomly and don't let them see you aggravated. Just play and smile. Keep rotating around town.

heyltsben

1mo

You just described San Clemente. It’s a fun game but not worth it to play with a bunch of snobby tennis players trying to be a big fish in a small pond on the public PB courts. This attitude ruins the game that was meant to be a fun enjoyable game of Dinks.

G8oraid

1mo

Pretty good level in San Clemente btw.

lablover318

1mo

Totally relate to this ! It happens at my local community center . Open rec play ( 2.5-3.5 mostly), retired old guys mostly ,who love to just bang from the end line , sit out conveniently to only play with their friends & whisper on the sidelines. No dropping or dinking. 3 shot games. Win at all cost . Yell at their partners if they pop up a shot. Target weaker players. So much bad MS behavior and zero supervision by rec director . After leaving multiple times unhappy I decided to find another group. I now drive about an hour to play with people who are kind and play hard and I love it . I’m happier and a better player .

donyjk

1mo

OK, it sounds like you want them to be meaner to their friend or kid when playing against. Obviously some people are going to value their existing relationships over the outcome of their sports game. I don't think it's particularly childish, just not purely competitive.

Coffeetimeagain

1mo

Wrong- I sign up for advanced play to play a straight forward, no gimme’s competitive play.

All I ask is to play fairly no matter who is in your first pool.

throwaway__rnd

1mo

Adding points to the other team was keeping score, when that team had the scorekeepers daughter? That’s not just childish, that’s cheating.

donyjk

1mo

I’m of the age that add or subtract a point here or there I’d not notice. Evil intent or not on the part of mom I certainly don’t know.

DatTKDoe

1mo

Yeah I had someone literally hit serves sideways just so he could play with another group. The other team was so annoyed he was wasting our time.

If that ever happens again, I’d rather just play 1v2 than team up with someone that doesn’t want to play

SeattleBrad

1mo

This is called sandbagging and it’s not allowed in any sport. In professional sports, intentionally throwing a game can get you in a heap of trouble. I’d get video evidence and give it to the referee. On the other hand, I think this is a temporary problem; as your skills improve this probably won’t happen anymore. If you do go to the referee, word will get around and you may get targeted more.

he-ather-s

1mo

Yes, this is sandbagging. As a long time tennis player I gotta laugh- this behavior isn’t exclusive to PB; we see the same antics on the tennis court. Eh- it’s like life in general- some people are cool, others aren’t. Find your friends, be the good sport out there and don’t let the idiots spoil your fun. Glad you’re playing!

OldPod73

1mo

Where I play is nothing like this. It's Open Rec and it's awesome.

G8oraid

1mo

Just beat them. It doesn’t matter anyway.

Coffeetimeagain

1mo

Kinda hard when the other player throws the game

Longjumping-Value-31

1mo

It does not happen often, but it happens. People are playing and people have different motivations and views on how to play.

In the box format you described, it seems that this coach was much better than the other players (including you) that she could control the outcomes. It wouldn’t happen if all four players were more evenly matched.

If it really bothers what other people do then don’t play this format. Being matched with random players can be frustrating.

Crossfit46

1mo

I’ve found that increasing in rec play. I can go and I know many of the people and I’m like 3.4 and can hang in any game (had several people tell me I’m probably a lot higher) but anytime there are better players they all just play with each other and can’t get into any competitive games. I and up playing same people over and over or get stuck with beginners. Frustrating.

FarmSysAdminNumber2

1mo

Are you the same age? Do you vibe with these people or people in general? Are you silent? Encouraging? Looking to have a good time? It's not always pickle related.

ZOOM_ZOOM_ZOOM_ZOOM

1mo

I've experienced this as well. And the person who downvoted you is probably someone who does this to newcomers. Pickleball, like any sport, attracts tryhards who don't know how to have a good time. Being avoided during rec play by people and seeing them clique up hurts my feelings. I'm willing to bet you've felt the shitty feeling that other people like me have felt too... "Fuck it, I'm just gonna leave"

I say just keep showing up and eventually you'll kick ass. People only do this type of stuff because they take themselves too seriously. Ben Johns wouldn't need to memorize someone's paddle during rec play to avoid them. Screw those people.

I also notice this doesn't happen as much at smaller rec play gatherings, because this douchebaggery is more easily noticed. But good luck. I mostly just play at my local YMCA a few times per week now. It's the same 12-13 people, and we all know each other on a first name basis. It's not super super competitive, but the games are always a close match and I love it.

GeorgeRetire

-4

1mo

They’re being mean to me!

Soul crushing?

pineconefire

1mo

They are colluding, and by doing so, they are destroying the integrity of the league.

Gullible_Tea1427

-8

1mo

Another thread that really isn't about pickleball...

JoeBro180

-7

1mo

you sound like a crybaby…. “it’s soul crushing” is so dramatic

Outrageous_Tax9426

1mo

I think you should leave in the middle of the game when you are sure this is happening. Walk straight to the referee or whoever is organizing this. And then just straight up leave if they don't change it. Although playing in this style of tourney is a bit odd, better to play with a partner that you know and who wants to win.

Coffeetimeagain

1mo

It’s league play, not a tournament. You’re blindly out into groups of four. From that 4, you are sub grouped by ranking for 3 more games. Lowest moves down the next week to a different bracket.

Separate_Plantain_69

1mo

Nah they want their friend and daughter to win over you? That’s not surprising. Of course people are gonna look out for their friends/family when they don’t know you.

Coffeetimeagain

1mo

League play- you don’t sign up for nonsense. Play a normal game shouldn’t have to be asked for.

SoccrCrazy66

-2

1mo

My god OP, you sound like the very mindset about which you complain. GTF over yourself and if you’re so dominant that other experienced players in your league are failing on purpose to defeat you….put on your big boy pants and find a more competitive league…..

Holy hell…the whining….

Coffeetimeagain

1mo

Go play soccer

n00chness

-15

1mo

I aced no less than 3 certified coaches with my Spin Serve last week at the park

Coffeetimeagain

1mo

It wasn’t a spin serve. But, good for you!