The Villages, Florida has the highest concentration of pickleball courts anywhere in America — and a court culture with its own unwritten rules. What visitors and new residents need to know about open play, leagues, Florida heat on gear, and the paddle that suits a daily Villages schedule.

Pickleball is a social sport, and most clubs run on unwritten rules that nobody teaches new players directly. From paddle stacking to ball-retrieval etiquette to when to call out, here are the conventions that keep open play running smoothly — and keep you in good standing at any court.