Pickleball Partner Chemistry


Do you play doubles pickleball?

Do you and your partner play tournaments?

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a doubles partner to play with in tournaments.  

These factors include:  

-  Complementary skill levels

-  Ability to cover the court

-  Flexibility for practice time

-  Communication skills

-  Etc.

However, one of the most important, but often least talked about, factors is your team chemistry.

And you rarely can know for sure what the chemistry between you may be without playing together frequently.

Here are some partners to avoid:

-  One who never compliments your winners

-  One who never apologizes for their poor shots

-  One who wants to discuss your every mistake

-  One who wants to instruct you all the time

-  One who never seems to enjoy playing

-  One who doesn't control his/her emotions

-  One who acts like its a dictatorship & not a partnership

-  One whose frustrations affect several more points 

-  One whose frustrations adversely affect your play

-  One who is almost never positive

-  One who blames you for losses


That is a long list!

Getting stuck with such a partner can make the tournament experience extremely sour.  It can also affect your self-esteem.

Fortunately, you can always change partners.

The problem is, many people choose close friends as partners.  That is great when you have great chemistry.

But, when the chemistry isn't working, it can also affect the friendship.

Then, choosing a different partner becomes much more stressful.  

You have to decide if pickleball is worth losing a friend. 

Wow!  That's tough.

But, I've seen it happen.

So, choose wisely!!


Have you personally had a bad partner experience?  How did you handle it?

What additional advice can you give on this subject?

Email me at:

​Ben@pickleball-living.com