Screaming in Pickleball – Where's the Line?

There’s been a lot of talk lately about players screaming on the pickleball court—and I have some thoughts.

Let me start by saying this: I don’t hate all screaming. I get it—sometimes you win a long, intense rally, or finally take a match you fought hard for. If you want to yell, cheer, or celebrate with your partner or the crowd, that’s totally fine. I’ve done that too. Hyping yourself up is part of the sport. Yelling "Let’s go!" or "Come on!" after a tough point can be a great way to keep your energy high and stay mentally engaged.

In fact, there are pro players who have built part of their on-court identity around being vocal. Julian Arnold is perhaps the most vocal player out there. Christian Alshon gets loud often, and so does Anna Bright. Their fiery energy is part of what fans love—or hate—about them. The trend is spreading, too. I’ve seen junior players, some as young as 8 or 9 years old, mimicking that same intensity at tournaments.

And again, that’s fine, as long as it stays respectful. Expressing yourself is part of the game. But I’ve seen firsthand that it can easily cross the line. Screaming at your opponents—especially in moments when the ball trickles over the net and they hand it back to you for your serve—is not okay. I actually witnessed this exact situation unfold during a PPA Challenger event. When an opponent has an unforced error or a net cord jumper goes your way, and your reaction is to scream in celebration, that’s poor sportsmanship. It’s even worse if that scream is directed right at them. That kind of behavior isn’t a show of strength or competitive grit: it’s just disrespectful.

There’s a clear difference between celebrating your own win and rubbing your opponent’s mistake in their face. I’ve seen players—especially younger ones—screaming loudly after every single point, and honestly, it gets old fast. When I’m on the court and someone starts doing that, it’s hard not to get annoyed. It gets in your head, makes you tense up, and can totally throw off your rhythm.

There’s a clear difference between celebrating your own win and rubbing your opponent’s mistake in their face.

Yes, this is a mental game too. Excessive noise, taunting, and over-the-top reactions affect how people play. And while part of competition is staying focused no matter what, we all need to be mindful of how we treat our opponents. Being competitive is awesome. Being disrespectful? Not so much.

It’s also worth noting that sometimes, the screaming backfires. A yell meant to fire you and your partner up might end up igniting your opponent instead. I’ve seen players get even more focused, more dialed-in, and more determined to win after being screamed at. It turns into fuel—and not always the kind you intended.

If you’re someone who struggles to stay mentally strong when your opponents get loud, my advice is simple: shut it out or use it as fuel. Stay focused on your game. Let them waste their energy screaming—you’re there to play smart, uplifting pickleball.

And honestly, I do think there should be consequences when players cross the line. If someone is screaming after every unforced error, or taunting others in a way that’s clearly disrespectful, refs should step in and issue a warning. Sportsmanship matters, no matter how competitive the match gets.

So go ahead—celebrate the big moments. Just don’t let your competitive fire cost you your reputation.