Infographic – The Pickleball “Excuse-Maker” – Make Sure You’re Not that Pickler!
Excuses on the pickleball courts – unfortunately, as competitors, we’re all guilty from time to time. Perhaps we miss an easy volley or our serve floats past the baseline, and we mumble something under our breath. Instead of giving due credit to our opponent or taking personal responsibility for the error, we justify the error with an excuse – the weather, the courts, or [gasp] your partner’s lack of pickleball prowess – anything that absolves us personally from any responsibility for the miscue.
The Chronic Excuse-Maker is Easy to Spot
The chronic pickleball excuse-maker, however, takes this justification and excuse-making to a whole new level and – ask anybody – is easy to spot. As someone who loves pickleball, you undoubtedly know exactly who I’m talking about.
We’ve all been there. We’ve all played against this person. We’re in the middle of a hotly contested game, the momentum has clearly swung to our side, and it begins. The excuses start coming – the stupid wind, the horrible lighting – you name it.
The chronic pickleball excuse-maker cannot accept the fact that he/she is missing shots that “they always make” and is losing to what they would consider [but is not steeped in reality] an “inferior” opponent. Point after point it’s something – never the fact that they are just being soundly beaten by a better player.
Excuses – From the Silly to the Absurd
From the silly to the absurd, the following are but a sampling of the pickleball excuses you may have heard over the years on the pickleball courts. Feel free to use any at your own discretion – just don’t be the chronic pickleball excuse-maker because nobody likes to play with or against that person.
Related Articles
For more information on Etiquette, check out the articles below:
- Pickleball Open Play Player Rotation
- Pickleball Pet Peeve
- Playing Keep-Away
- When in Doubt, Be Inclusive!
For information on all of the unwritten rules of Pickleball Etiquette, check out our complete guide.
We Want to Hear from You
We would love to hear from you. What are some of the excuses you have personally heard on the pickleball courts? Please let us know in the comments below.
I got mascara in my eye
I tripped on that darn leaf on the court
The person on the other court cast a shadow on the ground just as I was going to hit the ball…
Her shirt is the same color if the ball…
I am tired, I didn’t eat enough protein this morning
I’m playing with a new paddle and I’m not use to it
I didn’t get enough sleep last night
A plane flew over and distracted me
I could go on and on. I’ve heard them all…
I love it!!! Thanks for filling the “rolodex” of excuses we can all leverage if our play goes south for the day!!!
One time I told my partner that I had identified my weakness.
He asked what it was?
I told him it was him!
That’s hilarious, Gary! Thanks for sharing!
Too much noise.
I blinked – dah!!!
Hole in the paddle.
It’s not my fault. :-)
He/She poached.
All good ones, Sue. Thanks for your comments!
“YOUR dog keeps wandering onto the court and getting in the way during OUR winning shot!”
Yep, Cathy, that never fails! Thanks for some additional excuses!
“Look at that, the ball is warped!”