It’s the spookiest time of the year, and I’m not talking about Halloween.

I’m talking about cuffing season. 

Cuffing season is a term that refers to the seasonal increase of people “getting serious” with a romantic partner before the Holidays arrive. There’s something about the cool weather that encourages people to elevate their status from a situationship to a relationship. 

But I’m seeing people get cuffed with their partners on the pickleball court, too. 

Between October and March, people are eager to get into short partnerships for the cold winter months of indoor pickleball play, before becoming single again for the summer and experimenting with new partnerships. 

And now that it’s almost October, it’s time to either make it official with that pickleball situationship or call it quits before the Pickleball World Championships. You want to lock in that 4.0 dubs partnership and get to training!

Here’s what you need to know heading into this pivotal period.

Time to take a chance on that partnership 

We’ve all been there. You’ve been playing some really good games lately with this total cutie and the court chemistry is as good as the pros. Instead of strictly interacting at open play, maybe you’ve started meeting up to practice some drills one-on-one and the sparks continue to fly.  

But you haven’t fully committed to a partnership yet. Maybe you’re still playing with a few other partners or maybe you’re scared to be tied down to one partner for the season.

Friend, it’s time to take a leap!

Go register for that Halloween pickleball tournament together and see if this is the kind of partnership you want to be playing with on Christmas morning. 

You don’t know until you try. It might just be that partnership for life.

Be clear with cuffing intentions

If you’re ready to fully commit to your doubles partner for the Holiday season, please be honest with your intentions. And be honest with everybody. 

If you have a roster of other pickleball partners who might be sliding into your DiNKR looking for a quick game of skinny singles, you’re going to have to tell them you’re off the market. All pickleball games are strictly business, because you’ve committed to that partnership for the season. 

And tell your partner you’re all-in. So many partners just assume they’re locked in but don’t verbally communicate that with their partner. And remember, communication is key. 

Beware serial pickleball cuffers

These are the guys and gals that routinely find themselves jumping from partnership to partnership and never slow down and play singles for a while. The serial cuffers are the ones who are so desperate to find a partner for the Turkey Tournament in their hometown, they’ll settle for a partner with a lower DUPR. These are the players you want to avoid. 

And finally, don’t panic and pickleball cuff with anyone

Just because we have this innate desire to partner up for the season, doesn’t mean you should settle for a partner who isn’t what you’re looking for. Don’t settle for a ball hog or a sore loser or a partner who insists on coaching your every shot. 

It’s better to be Christian Alshon and train with a wall instead of being stuck with a partner that isn’t right for you. Don’t settle. 

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