Pro Zane Navratil says there's a difference between protecting the integrity of the sport and being that person who complains about everything.
Pickleball's rules are constantly evolving, and so is the conversation around how we enforce them.
In a recent episode of The Dink's PicklePod podcast, pro player Zane Navratil tackled a question that's been brewing in rec courts and tournaments alike:
When should you actually call out another player for using an illegal paddle?
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The short answer? It depends on the situation.
But the longer answer reveals something more nuanced about sportsmanship, competitive integrity, and the difference between rec play and tournament settings.
'Your Paddle Is Illegal' Here's the thing about illegal paddles: everyone's got an opinion, but nobody wants to be the person who brings it up. You know why?
Because accusing someone of cheating, even unintentionally, can feel like a personal attack. It's awkward. It kills the vibe. And honestly, sometimes people just don't know their paddle is delaminated or core crushed.
Navratil's take cuts through the noise. He acknowledges that plenty of players love to throw out the "your paddle is illegal" excuse when they're losing. It's become almost reflexive, like blaming the wind in golf.
But some people actually have a keen ear for detecting illegal paddles. Or just know one when ... FULL ARTICLE FOUND ON: https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/when-should-you-call-out-opponents-for-hot-paddles/
