It’s always courting season on the pickleball court.

Guys, if you’re looking to ditch the dating apps and meet your soulmate, we can help.

Pickleball content creator @molzlifestyle went straight to the source to ask women what advice they’d give gentlemen for successfully approaching them at the court.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Mollie - Content Creator | Pickleball Player (@molzlifestyle)

1.     Compliment, compliment, compliment 

“Always start off with a compliment. You’ve got to appreciate the girl’s game to get started,” said one of the ladies. 

If there’s one piece of advice to internalize, it's to compliment them because it’s always a win. The overwhelming majority of the women shared that they prefer to be approached through compliments. Whether it’s complimenting their excellent gameplay or their outfit, a compliment will certainly start things off on a positive note.  

“I like to be complimented on my athletic ability, so if they compliment me on a shot or a good play, then we can start talking,” another woman shared. 

After all, it’s never a bad thing to compliment someone on their gameplay, especially if words of affirmation are their pickleball love language.

You’ll be lobbing it right to their heart.

2.     Invite them for coffee, lunch, or drinks after

This is another excellent way to take the budding romance off the court, especially in a group setting. It's an easy and approachable way to continue the fun. Invite the group out afterwards for happy hour, a coffee, dinner, etc. and see if it’s meant to be.

3.      Be friendly, open, and direct

This one may seem so easy, but it can be the toughest. Sometimes, it really is about being friendly and taking that first step to initiate a conversation. 

Being direct, though, is a universal dating tip. 

If you like someone, act like you like them. Don’t invite your beefed-up bro to play a game of singles with you when you know the girl you’re trying to get attention from will be there. Don’t play the jealousy game. It always backfires in the end.  

All players involved in pickleball courting should present themselves as open and available. 

“Don’t play games,” said one of the girls. 

The only kind of game you should be playing is pickleball. No games of the heart. 

4.     Let her shine on the court

Give her space to enjoy success. Don’t be a selfish player and partner – because if you’re like that on the court, odds are you’ll be like that off the court, too. 

“Let her hit the overheads,” said one of the women.

There's a running joke in mixed doubles: the guy will be a ball hog and take 99% of the shots because their competitive nature far outweighs the joy of the game. 

“Offer to play the right side, while she plays the left,” said a woman.

It's a power move that will absolutely be the way to a competitive pickleballer’s heart. 

5.     Offer kind advice

“Personally, I’m not the best player, so if you kindly offer some free advice, I’ll take it,” said one of the girls. 

This is a trickier one, so I advise you to use caution. The strategy might work on some players, it could also go horribly wrong. Offering advice could come across as critical or mansplaining, which should be avoided at all costs. Don’t give them the pickleball ick. 

Read the court well. 

Finding a pickleball soulmate doesn't happen everyday, but keep your head up and your lobs high. You never know when you’ll find that doubles partner for life.