Partner keeps talking in double games

Can anyone tell me how to keep my partner to shut up in double games?

He speaks, talks, shouts, laughs, swears before, after and during a point.

How do I make him quiet? (apart from put a sock in his mouth?)

Send him a link to this thread?

do you get along with him well? maybe find a new partner you have more chemistry with

talk to him before the game and tell him that he's causing distraction. if he doesn't listen and still do it in a game, tell him "keep your mouth shut, or i will walk away".

Are you playing competitive matches or friendly doubles? I play a lot of doubles at the local senior center where we have an active TT group where we rotate partners often and play with everyone who shows up, and while people certainly play to win, the doubles competition is typically quite social/friendly,  with a fair amount  of good-natured trash-talking, commentary and compliments going on regularly.  There are many players who enjoy doubles for these social/fun aspects, and it appears your partner is having a lot of fun (how about you?) so my free advice is (unless you are playing tournament doubles), lighten up and enjoy yourself, or just play with someone more compatible with your personality and competitive drive.

Perhaps.. you could tell him 'Shut Up!' ? You know, when people say that, they invite the receiver of the phrase to be quiet. That may be beneficial to you too.


Edited by Victor_the_cleaner - 03/04/2015 at 3:56pm

you can't just tell him to shut up. doing so would ruin his mental game and he would play worse. 

takethat wrote: Thanks catman, I was expecting worse

Good advice.  You have to have a doubles partner who can keep his mouth shut during play, and whose game compliments yours.

When I played in Open HB events with my doubles partner, Don Varian, we had a pretty good thing going.  As in beach volleyball, I was the setter, Don the spiker.  If my forehand or backhand topspin were to set up a diffident return, Don, bigger, heavier, and stronger than I, could and would put the ball away without hesitation.

Like the other have wrote, tell him that it disturbs you. If that doesn't work tell him to shut up  It can be really hard to get doubles working good sometimes. I one time had a partner who complained on everything I did, it only made me play worse since I felt that I had to put every point on the table...