Body Bags and Nasty Nelsons: The Dark Arts of Competitive Pickleball

Body bag shots are one of the most controversial (and entertaining) parts of pickleball. Whether you’re watching a pro match or battling it out on your local courts, there’s a good chance someone has an opinion about them. Some call it unsportsmanlike. Others see it as a completely legitimate tactic. Here’s where I stand.

Before we continue, let's clarify some terms for the less experienced players reading this:

Body Bag: When you hit the opponent's body with the ball. Often the ball is moving pretty fast so it might leave a mark on the person's flesh

Nasty Nelson: When the server purposely hits the ball at the non-receiving opponent—the one standing closest to the net. If the serve smacks that player before touching the ground, it's an automatic fault point for the serving team.

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It’s a Legit Shot

First things first: body bagging is 110% part of the game. If you step onto the court with your paddle in hand, you accept the risks that come with it. And if your opponent is able to tag you, well, that means you were probably caught sleeping. Reaction time is part of the sport. If you can dodge it, great. If not, that’s on you.

That said, let’s use some common sense. If you're playing in a rec game with an 80-year-old grandma or a 12-year-old kid, and you're body bagging them like you're trying to win the MLP Championship, congratulations, you just made yourself look like a total loser. Know the vibe on the court and don't ruin an innocent person's evening.

Also, if you're going to be the type of player who rips body bags, expect the same energy back. Wearing glasses or protective eyewear might be a good idea. Some people don't take kindly to getting tattooed with a plastic ball.

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Sometimes It’s Just the Smartest Play

There are moments when the body bag isn’t just a statement, it’s the highest percentage play. Imagine this: all four players are established at the net in a dink rally. You hit a dink that goes off the net cord and just makes it over the net. Your opponent lunges forward and scrambles to get the ball. In their haste, they hit their shot just a little too high. They've failed to keep the ball out of your reach and now they'll pay the price. You respond with a good old backhand flick. Logically speaking, targeting their body gives you the best chance of winning the point, especially if they’re still on the move and trying to reestablish position.

In these cases, it's not about being aggressive or disrespectful. It's just a smart, calculated choice.

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It Can Shift Momentum

Here’s where things get real: I’ve personally used body bags in tournament play to swing the momentum. There’s something about that moment. You catch your opponent not paying attention, and you capitalize. Suddenly they’re rattled. Their confidence drops. You ride the wave and go on a run. Once I was down 13-6 in a game to 15. After successfully landing a Nasty Nelson (which involved my opponents calling the head ref over to determine if that was legal), my partner and I went on a four-point run. We ended up losing the game which sucked but at least we had the crowd cheering for us.

The Nasty Nelson is my favorite shot. It's high risk, but when it lands, it messes with people. It throws them off and gets inside their head. In a game where mindset is everything, that edge can mean the difference between winning and losing.

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It’s Funny, Let’s Be Honest

Body bags are useful in competitive play, but for rec play, they're downright hilarious. Tension high? Opponent getting mouthy? A body bag can be the most satisfying way to shut it all down. It might not be the most mature move, but boy oh boy, it makes for good laughs. A good body bag or a well-timed Nasty Nelson can change the whole attitude on the court. I've even seen people throw their paddles and walk off the court because of the embarrassment of being hit with the ball.

Of course, you better be able to take it if someone returns the favor. What goes around comes around in pickleball.

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Final Thoughts

Like it or not, body bags are here to stay. You might argue they're not ethical, but they are funny as heck and just as legit as a third shot drop. They're legal, they're effective, and in the right moment, they can change everything. Just don’t be surprised when you become a target yourself.

And really, think about it—most serious sports involve physical risk. In football, you get tackled. In basketball, players take elbows and hard fouls. In combat sports, the goal is literally to hit your opponent. Pickleball isn’t about trying to hurt anyone, but if you step on the court, you're accepting the physicality that comes with competitive play. A body bag might sting, but that’s part of playing a real sport.

Play smart. Play tough. And maybe wear some glasses.  

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