How to Play Pickleball with Your Romantic Partner Without Killing Each Other

Let’s be real for a second: playing pickleball with your romantic partner isn’t always a love story. Sometimes, it’s a full-blown drama. You’re holding hands one minute, and the next, you’re side-eyeing their third shot drop like they betrayed you. We’ve been there. That’s why this episode of Dinks on Tap hit home in the best way.

 

In this episode, we chat with Teri Citterman and Dr. Stormy Hill, co-authors of In a Pickle: How to Master Love and Pickleball and Not Kill Each Other. We dive into the wild world of playing pickleball with your romantic partner, where tension, love, competitive behavior, and the occasional eye roll collide.

 

From emotional intelligence on the court to safe words, love languages, and intention-setting before a match, this conversation is full of real strategies for keeping both your game and your relationship strong. 

 

We also touch on important topics like relationship advice for couples who play sports together, communication in sports, and how understanding partner dynamics can actually lead to deeper relationship growth, both on and off the court. Plus, we get into some unspoken rules of pickleball etiquette and the power of intentional play when the pressure is high.

 

Whether you're in love, in competition, or both, this episode is packed with relatable insights to help you play better together and maybe even argue a little less, on and off the court.

 

Cheers,
Casie & Lauren

 

Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:

Instagram: @dinksontap

Facebook: @DinksonTap
Website: dinksontap.com

 

The must-read for couples who love (and survive) playing pickleball together: 

In A Pickle: How to Master Love and Pickleball and Not Kill Each Other

 

Explore more tools, tips, and upcoming retreats at LoveandPickleball.net

 

Follow the fun and join the Love nad Pickleball community:

Instagram: @love_and_pickleball

Facebook: @love.and.pickleball

TikTok: @loveandpickleball