Pickleball Paddle Taps: A Sign of Respect and Camaraderie

Etiquette is important in pickleball, as with any other sport. You should always respect your opponents and team members, whether you win or lose. Pickleball is known for being a fast-paced and competitive game. Besides being known for its fast rallies and strategic plays, pickleball has another famous tradition. Some sports do handshakes or high-fives, but for pickleball, it’s the paddle tap.

In this blog, we will find out about:

• What is the Paddle Tap in Pickleball?
• Paddle Tap in a Pickleball Tournament
• Pickleball Paddle Tap Alternatives
• Other Pickleball Traditions
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Paddle Tap in Pickleball?

A paddle tap is a simple gesture by pickleball players at the end of a match or game. It is a sign of respect and camaraderie in pickleball and sportsmanship, whether you win or lose. Although it may be a small act, it carries a huge significance in the sport.

When did the Paddle Tap in Pickleball Start?

It’s unknown when, where, or how the paddle tap in pickleball started. It has been existing for some time now and probably gained more attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since people were required to do social distancing during the pandemic and it was highly discouraged to make physical contact with other people, the paddle tap was the perfect way to show sportsmanship.

When to Do Paddle Tap in Pickleball?

There’s no required time as to when or how many times you can the paddle tap. These are the usual times when picklers do a tap.

• End of Game or Match - some players tend to do a paddle tap after scoring as a sign of good game, however, some prefer to do it after the match or game. To avoid misunderstandings and being branded as a snub, it’s better to talk about what you prefer to do before the start of the game.

• When Your Partner Hit a Good Shot - it’s been a tradition in pickleball too to give your partner a paddle tap when they hit a good shot as a sign of good job.

• Encouragement - you or your partner may not always hit a great shot, and that’s ok. You can do a paddle tap with each other as encouragement.

Why is it Important to Do Paddle Tap in Pickleball?

• Respect and Sportsmanship - this is to show respect to your opponent, no matter what the result of your game is. Doing a paddle tap means that you have played fair and has good sportsmanship.

• Camaraderie - this is to show friendliness to other pickleball players. When you do a paddle tap, it means that you are open to making a connection and hopefully, a lasting friendship.

• Tradition - the paddle tap has been a tradition in pickleball that has been passed down from experienced players to newbies. Doing the tap helps preserve this unique tradition.

Paddle Tap in a Pickleball Tournament

The paddle tap in pickleball isn’t only done with friendly games, it is also widely seen in tournaments. Pickleball pros like Parris Todd, Anna Bright, and others do it. Here are a few examples of pickleball pros doing a paddle tap in a pickleball tournament.

• 2023 PPA Atlanta Open -  Anna Bright/Anna Leigh Waters vs. Jorja Johnson/Vivienne David

In this video, there is a mix of paddle taps and hand tapping on the paddle. Bright and Waters would do a hand-tapping the paddle thing or a low five whenever their opponents missed their shot. Johnson and Vivienne would do the same when they did a good shot. Each team would paddle tap with the other after every round. Anna Leigh Waters often doesn’t do a paddle tap in a pickleball tournament, she’s more a fan of low fives.

• 2023 PPA the Hyundai Masters - Lea Jansen vs Catherine Parenteau

During this game, you would see at 1:10 when Parenteau won a score, she went to the net to paddle tap with Jansen, but the latter went to the side instead. Parenteau ended up doing an air tap alone. At 3:27, when Jansen missed the shot, Parenteau again tried to approach the net but Jansen was already walking away. Jansen just air-tapped to Parenteau, which the latter reciprocated. At 5:12, they went for an official paddle tap after the match ended.

Pickleball Paddle Tap Alternatives

The paddle tap in pickleball, as mentioned, is a tradition. It doesn’t mean that you’re forced to do it against your will. You might think “Why would I tap my expensive paddle with other expensive paddles?”. Trust me, we get it. Pickleball paddles are durable and if you want really high-quality ones, then they can be expensive. You don’t have to worry, though, cause these taps aren’t that hard and are unlikely to cause damage to your paddle. However, you don’t have to do a paddle tap if you’re uncomfortable. Here are some alternatives you can do instead:

• Paddle Handle Tap - instead of tapping the paddle heads, turn your paddle around and tap with its handle instead.

• Air Taps - you can still use your paddle to tap, but it doesn’t have to make direct contact with the other paddles. You can simply do an air tap.

• Tap With Your Hand - Instead of tapping your paddle with the other paddle, you can simply high-five it with your hand. Be careful, though, to not do it hard and communicate it with the other players about why you prefer to do this.

• Hand Shake, High-Five, Fist Bump, and Bro Hug - You can also do these common ways of showing respect and sportsmanship (as long as the other players are comfortable with these).

* A bro hug is when you go for a shake with another person and then proceed to hug (while still holding each other’s hand).

Other Pickleball Traditions

• Dinking Rally - the pickleball dink is technically a shot in pickleball, however, it has become a tradition for pickleball players to engage in long dinking rallies as a test of patience and strategy.

• The Two-Bounce Rule - this is one of the basic rules of pickleball. The ball has to bounce before the return of the serve (first bounce) and before the third drop shot (second bounce) in pickleball.

• Paddle Stacking - when the court is overcrowded, players stack their paddles to know who will go next in using the court. Sometimes, they use the paddle rack/holder for this.

• Open Play - sometimes players would engage in an open or social play where all skill levels play with each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the paddle tap in pickleball?

The paddle tap is a gesture of respect and sportsmanship between pickleball players at the end of a match or game, win or lose. It's a simple way to acknowledge your opponent and show good sportsmanship.  

• When do you do a paddle tap?
• End of game or match: The most common time is after the final point.
• Good shot: You can tap your partner's paddle to acknowledge a good shot.
• Encouragement: A tap can be a silent way to encourage your partner.
• Why is the paddle tap important?
• Respect and sportsmanship: It shows respect for your opponent regardless of the outcome.
• Camaraderie: It fosters friendliness and connection with other players.
• Tradition: It's a long-standing tradition passed down from experienced to new players.  
• Do I have to do a paddle tap?

No, it's not mandatory. Here are some alternatives if you're uncomfortable:

• Paddle handle tap: Tap with the paddle handles instead of the faces.
• Air tap: Mimic a tap with your paddle without contact.
• Hand tap: Give a high five with your hand.
• Handshake/fist bump/bro hug: Use these gestures if everyone agrees.
• Are there other pickleball traditions?

Yes! Here are a few:

• Dinking rally: A playful exchange of dink shots testing patience and strategy.
• Two-bounce rule: The ball must bounce once before the serve return and again before the third shot.
• Paddle stacking: Players stack paddles to reserve their spot on a crowded court.
• Open play: Social games where players of all skill levels participate.
• What is the significance of the paddle tap in professional pickleball tournaments?

The paddle tap is a widely recognized tradition in professional pickleball tournaments. It's a way for players to show respect, sportsmanship, and camaraderie, even in highly competitive matches.

• Can the paddle tap be modified or adapted to suit personal preferences?

While the traditional paddle tap involves tapping the faces of the paddles, players can adapt the gesture to their preference. Some alternatives include tapping the handles, doing an air tap, or using a handshake or other physical greeting. The important thing is to maintain the spirit of respect and sportsmanship.

A paddle tap in pickleball has been a tradition that has been passed on from seasoned players to newcomers. It is to show respect and sportsmanship. Basically, tapping your paddle with your opponents means you had a good game. However, some are not fond of this tradition and it’s ok. There are other ways to show sportsmanship in pickleball.