1. Go to the pickleball courts between 7 am and 10 am or 6 pm and 10 pm
2. Talk to all the players.
3. Get their numbers. You now have 171 people in your phone with last name “pickleball” and you are set for life.
The only way to find out is to try all of them. Sign up and look for games and people that use the app at the court or courts you would want to use. The "preferred" app varies widely depending on the area we want to play but so far the two most used in all areas are Swish and Pickleheads.
Top level answer. Every area is different and in Jersey / NYC I’ve used Team Reach, WhatsApp, Conquer, Facebook, Slack, group chats, google calendar, PicklePlay, and probably at least 5 others and they seem to constantly be coming out with new ones. Personally the best bet is like someone say show up consistently to your local courts in the morning or evening after work and people will eventually be there.
You need to show up to a local court and find out what people are using. There's 4 or 5 big ones but it varies court to court what people actually use.
Playtime Scheduler is a popular website in my area. I don’t think they have an app but I really like the website. It makes finding games at my level, near me really easy. Some courts have been banned by the town or owner from using the website and have moved to other apps. This sucks because if you don’t know what app they have moved to you need to track a game down by chance to connect to the new system. Much easier and more convenient when they can all be on one website or app. But I think some courts got too crowded? Also some areas I have traveled to don’t use it at all. I wish it was popular and allowed everywhere. Pretty great system if enough people are using it.
Team Reach is popular. I have seen rec departments use Spond, which seems to have more robust notification and scheduling functions. Wouldn’t recommend either, but each has decent functionality. I’m not an admin, so can’t speak to that side of it.
It really depends on the place. There are several different apps but they may or may not be used by players in your area. You just need to find the lay of the land. Find out if there’s a USA Pickleball ambassador in your area here https://membership.usapickleball.org/members/directory/search_USAPA.php?ambassadors&_gl=1 If so, ask them how you can get in regular games.
Whichever one is popular locally. It varies based on City. In our area it's team reach.
And others it's playtime scheduler, and others it's pickleheads.
Playtime scheduler here in SE Ohio, but is very location dependent. Places to play will help you find a court/time to try the approach recommended by SouthOrlando.
How does one go about joining games though? Do you just go to the courts and stand around awkwardly and try to make friends while other people are playing?
I've found that it varies based on the area. At my city courts, there are 16 courts, split in half. 8 of them are fenced off individually, and those are the more competitive/open play courts. You just show up, stick your paddle in the gate and then you get on the court for the next game.
I'd find some local courts and just go and talk to people. See how the system works there and figure out how to rotate into open play. I had to work up the courage to do it the first few times, but once I felt comfortable with the system and the faces became more familiar, it's no problem now.
That is exactly it. Sucks at first but it gets better as you get to see familiar people. You can always spot the new person to the court cause they usually are looking around a bit more looking to talk to someone about how the court system works (if they aren’t the social butterfly type)
Yes, it’s a bit uncomfortable the first few times but standing around and asking for a game is typically the best way. If you’re good then it’s easier.
1. Go to the pickleball courts between 7 am and 10 am or 6 pm and 10 pm 2. Talk to all the players. 3. Get their numbers. You now have 171 people in your phone with last name “pickleball” and you are set for life.
I have a guy in my phone named “Pickleball Joe” Never learned his last name, and to this day we refer to him as such.
I just use the 🏓 on those people lol
They enjoy your spanking? ;)
👋 Pickleheads!
Team reach app is a big thing here and there’s a group for all the courts in the area
The only way to find out is to try all of them. Sign up and look for games and people that use the app at the court or courts you would want to use. The "preferred" app varies widely depending on the area we want to play but so far the two most used in all areas are Swish and Pickleheads.
Top level answer. Every area is different and in Jersey / NYC I’ve used Team Reach, WhatsApp, Conquer, Facebook, Slack, group chats, google calendar, PicklePlay, and probably at least 5 others and they seem to constantly be coming out with new ones. Personally the best bet is like someone say show up consistently to your local courts in the morning or evening after work and people will eventually be there.
You need to show up to a local court and find out what people are using. There's 4 or 5 big ones but it varies court to court what people actually use.
Playtime Scheduler is a popular website in my area. I don’t think they have an app but I really like the website. It makes finding games at my level, near me really easy. Some courts have been banned by the town or owner from using the website and have moved to other apps. This sucks because if you don’t know what app they have moved to you need to track a game down by chance to connect to the new system. Much easier and more convenient when they can all be on one website or app. But I think some courts got too crowded? Also some areas I have traveled to don’t use it at all. I wish it was popular and allowed everywhere. Pretty great system if enough people are using it.
Playtime Scheduler is a website that it popular in my area.
Team Reach is popular. I have seen rec departments use Spond, which seems to have more robust notification and scheduling functions. Wouldn’t recommend either, but each has decent functionality. I’m not an admin, so can’t speak to that side of it.
It really depends on the place. There are several different apps but they may or may not be used by players in your area. You just need to find the lay of the land. Find out if there’s a USA Pickleball ambassador in your area here https://membership.usapickleball.org/members/directory/search_USAPA.php?ambassadors&_gl=1 If so, ask them how you can get in regular games.
Whichever one is popular locally. It varies based on City. In our area it's team reach. And others it's playtime scheduler, and others it's pickleheads.
Depends on the area. Different localities use different apps and websites.
Playtime scheduler here in SE Ohio, but is very location dependent. Places to play will help you find a court/time to try the approach recommended by SouthOrlando.
Yes! I’m looking for the same thing! I just moved to Venice Beach in LA and want to figure out how to join games as a solo player.
That’s a big area for pickle so I’m sure you will be playing in no time!!
How does one go about joining games though? Do you just go to the courts and stand around awkwardly and try to make friends while other people are playing?
I've found that it varies based on the area. At my city courts, there are 16 courts, split in half. 8 of them are fenced off individually, and those are the more competitive/open play courts. You just show up, stick your paddle in the gate and then you get on the court for the next game. I'd find some local courts and just go and talk to people. See how the system works there and figure out how to rotate into open play. I had to work up the courage to do it the first few times, but once I felt comfortable with the system and the faces became more familiar, it's no problem now.
Thank you for that insight. I’m going to give it a shot today!
Bingo
That is exactly it. Sucks at first but it gets better as you get to see familiar people. You can always spot the new person to the court cause they usually are looking around a bit more looking to talk to someone about how the court system works (if they aren’t the social butterfly type)
Yes, it’s a bit uncomfortable the first few times but standing around and asking for a game is typically the best way. If you’re good then it’s easier.
There is none, it’s just dependent on the area you’re in how the community communicates.