We've all been there.

We’re at the court and Chatty Cathy’s paddle slides next to yours... and you instantly consider moving your paddle to the back of the line just to avoid her.

Chatty Cathy is everyone’s least favorite player because she simply won’t stop talking. And it’s starting to drive people crazy. 

How do you handle a situation like this? What's the best way to deal with Chatty Cathy?

Lynn Wysocky posed that question on the Pickleball Facebook Forum, and, as per usual, the opinions were polarizing. 

“Some of y’all have never stood in a batter’s box or at a free throw line and had hundreds of people scream at you, and it shows. If a little talking by the opponent is enough to distract you, some practice on mental focusing might be in order,” said Dan Ewing.

Mental toughness is key to the success of elite pickleball athletes, but at the rec level, should the sport really be taken that seriously?

“If they yell at you to “MISS IT!” then it’s a distraction, but if they’re talking to each other, it’s just player communication,” said Bob Danielson.

After all, players must communicate with each other on the court. But, there's a big difference between your opponents saying “Yours!” and discussing last night’s Golden Bachelorette episode.

“I’m not a fan of irrelevant talking while playing. Not communicating, that’s fair. I’m talking about people who narrate the play or complain about their own playing. Save it until after the play,” wrote Liza Orton Arge. 

A lot of players point out that pickleball is a loud game, and the majority of courts are overflowing with people talking, yelling, celebrating and grunting, so noise may just come with the territory.

“In casual games, politely asking them to tone it down is usually the best first step. If they continue or it’s a competitive match, you may want to address the issue with an official or umpire who can enforce any rules around sportsmanship and distraction,” proposed Naveed Ishfaq. 

Respect and kindness are pivotal if you choose to address your concerns. Don’t call out Chatty Cathy in a rude manner or raise your voice. 

Kindly say something like, “Hey, Cathy. Do you mind keeping the chatter to a minimum during the game? I honestly find it a little distracting.”

Since pickleballers are some of the best people on the planet, hopefully she's respectful and kind as well.

At the pro level, referees do give warnings when players take communication or trash talking to the next level and it becomes a major hindrance to opponents.

But, at a rec court? Anything is truly fair game.

Whether it’s someone playing music or a player who won’t stop coaching everyone, there’s always something happening on the 20x44. 

What’s your take? Leave us a comment on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).