When my wife and I first started, we felt the same way. However, we quickly learned that playing with and against better players improved our performance. We still go to advanced beginner play (primarily because many of the people we started with still go) and we often hear some new players voice the same complaint. But we also have new players seek us out as partners because they want help improving their game. If you remain uncomfortable playing with better players, let them know. When someone tells us they are very new, we step out of line and help them find players at their level.

No, absolutely disagree. The times set aside for Beginner makes it pretty clear. Not - modify your game to play like a beginner - but be a beginner. As I stated previously, the exception can be a person instructing a beginner.

How would you identify a beginner, from an advanced beginner? How would you enforce it?

Is it based upon skill level? Is it based upon how many times you've played? How many weeks, months, or years you've played?

The better player doesn't modify their game to "play like a beginner", the better player modifies their game to challenge the beginner, but not overwhelm them. That's how beginners become advanced beginners, not by just playing other beginners.

But it doesn't really matter if we agree on this or not, because whether we agree or disagree will not change what beginners run into on a court. IMO, the important take-home lesson here for the beginner who finds a player they don't want to play with, is to simply say "no thank you," and invite someone else forward.

So... let me ask you this. If I am playing with an opponent who turns out to be an "over achiever" and continues to slam the ball either at me or at my feet, can I -- at that juncture -- say "NO THANK YOU" and walk off the court?

Of course, I'm being overly dramatic, but hey... maybe then they would get the message

Nothing wrong with staying away from them future games.

Or you learn how to get to the NVZ and block drop the ball just over the net into the opponents NVZ. Best way to defuse bangers.

Well, it depends upon how dramatic you like to be. I would probably just try to survive the game with my eyeballs still in their sockets and then quietly, but assertively refuse to play with them again. Others, who don't mind calling out people in public would not be so shy.

As far as I'm concerned either way works for me.

That is a glib response. The point is we are talking about beginners. They may progress to the point of being able to "defuse bangers", and when they do they won't be beginners anymore.

When I was a beginner I felt I had the hand-eye coordination to protect my face in that circumstance, but while I was a beginner at pickleball, I had played years of platform tennis, table tennis, and 3rd base. I was learning the game of pickleball, but I have better than average hand-eye coordination. I was OK with people firing fastballs at me, but I wasn't OK with them firing fastballs at my wife, who did not have the ability to protect herself.

PB
 

Suggestion: when you are in any of the pb classes. Ask people in the class if they would like to get together to practice what you learned. There are lot of open times to play.

Did something change ? Hitting low shots is the name of the game. Slamming low is part of it. The only time I get high is when it's high and hard at me and I'm able to get the paddle up the deflect back.

Very sorry, did not intend to be glib.

Unfortunately it isn't and can't really be enforced. The Aholes will show up and play to make themselves feel better and "challenge the beginner" during beginner play times.

Completely missing the point...

BEGINNERS typically do not have the skill set to play that shot...

How about taking PB One and Two to start with. A lot of people walk out there without ever hitting a ball or looking up the rules. The platform tennis cages are the perfect place for two people to learn the game and practice in.

That's a given... If you look for pickleball on TV website, they state you should take those classes...

In our case, we watched the video, took PB I and then took PB II twice... BEFORE even trying to attend an open PB session...

And it doesn't change what I said, at all... Most beginners (even after taking said classes) still don't have that ability...

I teach Intro to Pickleball and a 2.5 level drill and play every week. You are exactly right. That is why TV tries to set aside courts and times for beginners to play with others of their skill level and get better. It takes a while even after a person takes the classes. Remember that the class(s) is only a 2 hour experience. The beginner courts are where they go to try and apply what they were taught in a non-threatening environment.

I started playing in January and have only felt comfortable at Water Lily open play for the last month. I was there that Sunday. There are many regulars who show up for open play daily starting about 7:30. By 9:00, there are usually around 30 to 40 regulars playing. I only noticed a handful of non-regulars show up at 10:00 am, I'm assuming for beginner's open play. I'm not sure if there were even enough beginners for one court, so it appeared that some of the regulars would have to play with the beginners for them to even have a game. It was not a case of advanced players showing up for beginner's play, but advanced players not leaving when the beginner's play time slot started. Some of the guys are pretty good, so it seems you were unlucky enough to be paired with them. Water Lily has six courts and two gates. Maybe the rec center staff could hang a Beginner's Open sign on the opposite side of the courts where everyone lines up for open play. If twelve beginners showed up, then the regulars would be limited to three courts, while beginners would have three courts. There are several groups who have the 10:00 to 11:50 time slot reserved every week day. During peak snowbird season, those groups typically need all six courts, but lately, they only need one or two courts and are happy to share the other four courts with the regulars.

It has been a long while since my wife was trying to find a beginners court that was truly only beginners. It was frustrating for her. She went to Mulberry where they have 3 pods. The rec center staff actually came out to the designated pod and announced that that pod was for beginners only and all others please leave. Kudos to that rec center. Would be nice if they all did that but I know they don't and most won't.

I agree with you that there is no reason the courts can't be shared if the demand is small. However, the "regulars" usually end their time in open play at 10. Anything after that requires a designated time slot in some group name or willingness to give way to whoever does.

Are you talking about players who are obviously not beginners playing on courts before 10 AM, but then not leaving, as a group, to make the courts available for the beginners at 10? I hadn't even thought of that scenario.
I was thinking about those one or two people who like to hang around and play beneath their level so they can dominate weaker players.

Obviously, both are examples of what should not happen. The one or two players are easy enough to avoid, but a group occupying a couple of courts during congested open play is even more obnoxious .

Beginners in PB
 

I agree it is hard to play in the beginner open sessions when the more experienced players stick around and play during that time. However, in many cases, they will "play down" and it is a good learning experience. If they are slamming, they may not be more than a beginner. At any rate, when I play in the beginner open sessions and someone very experienced uses that as a time to practice taking out my eyeballs, I just don't play with them again. I wait for other players. It all works out. Better yet, be their partner lol.

Every time we've gone to an open beginners session, the court are cleared by 5 till 10... It's never been a problem with people "forgetting" to leave. Once they see people lining up, they know it's time...

The 4 or 5 PB courts I go to have been dead for the last two weeks from 8-12.

Open Play -- all levels & Beginner/Advanced Beginner
 

Given that several months have passed since my "beginner" angst arose, I am happy to report that one does develop a thick(er) skin for playing with/dealing with slammers. You begin to realize that it is not your personal lack of skill that is at issue, but more about the slammers need to dominate the court.

I am entirely comfortable now with Open Play (all levels) using this as an opportunity to face higher skilled players who mentor me and using my mid-range talents to help others.

I stay away from Intermediate Open Play -- where I don't belong... :jester:

great story!

Amateurs (all of us) should only play seriously if there is money or trophies involved. . otherwise, golf is all in fun, and a bit of humor is always helpful on the 8th putt. .

My new favorite dig (when someone leaves a birdie putt short) is to comment "Laying up on that putt was an interesting strategy, let's see if it works for you..."

Just a question. Do you think these more skilled players show up for beginner class because they cannot beat someone at their level? I know it seems unfair, but maybe this is the case. They aren't true beginners but are people who need to sharpen their skills. I have no idea. I do not play court sports because of bad knees.

Mulberry is unique due to separate two sides, usually beginner times are on one side of court which last time I look was the south side? The other side and end courts are open play till noon where the courts are reserved. The north side has always been “some say” more advanced.

I use to go Chula Vista the lady there use to run tight ship. She was only one at those courts that came out and ran open players off at 10Am when beginning play was scheduled. I have never be anywhere else where they do that.

I doubt it, the just show late for open play and won’t get off court at 10am. Saddlebrook use to be real bad, but I haven’t played down there in couple years.

The fastest way to improve your game as a beginner is individual or very small group instruction.

I teach two classes each week as a part of PCVG programs. I also instruct beginners individually. Having the basic shots and knowing where to be on the court is key.

PM me if you are interested.

Years ago we found the same, beginner and multiple players winning—- to zip. We noticed many just enjoying kicking the crap out of everyone. While they were polite, usually one would mention you really need to take lessons. Then continue to play for as long as they could hold court, playing 7 days a week.

We finally just sat one day, watched those who were truly beginners trying to enjoy a new sport. Then waited while they got beat with zero on their end. Then approach the beginner. We ended up have 20 players that got together all close to the same level. Each week we all seemed to improve, and had a great time, looking forward to the next game. Just look around you will find some to play with