PICKLEBALL CURMUDGEON
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THE UL ICKLEBALL
KIDS P
Scene on the Court:
Occasional
Observations
from a
Pickleball
Curmudgeon
BY CRAIG LAUGHLIN
I
www.usapajuniors.org
78
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‘ Nice Shot! ’
love it when the pros acknowledge their opponents’
truly extraordinary shots by “clapping” with hand
to paddle. Such good sportsmanship is admirable.
On the other hand, has anyone else noticed how
often recreational players at all levels fail to take
ownership of their mistakes by giving their opponent
credit for having made a remarkable play? “Nice
shot!” they exclaim, when their opponent hits them in
the big toe after having been set up at the kitchen line
with a nice, juicy, attackable ball. Or, “Great play!”
after their opponent hits a ball into the vast opening
left by a player staying at the baseline while his/her
partner is at the net. Or, “Well done!” after dodging a
smash off an ill-advised defensive lob. Or, or, or—the
permutations of mistakes and congratulations are
endless.
Although I graciously accept such accolades (good
sportsmanship being admirable and all), I’m more
impressed when players have the self-awareness to
say to their partners, “My bad, I should have dinked
cross-court” or something similar that will reinforce
trying a smart play next time.
Many of us know the right and wrong strategies
for various situations, like: “When the opponents are
back, keep them back,” or “Don’t return a lob with
a lob—drop it in the kitchen.” But it’s easy to forget
winning principles in the heat of the moment, and
bad habits are hard to break. When my opponents
are at the net, and, instead of trying to hit an
unattackable third shot drop, I give them an easy kill
by trying to sneak a passing shot by, I don’t usually
say, “Nice shot!” I am more likely to acknowledge
their good play with “What on Earth made me think
I could get away with that?” Or, “That obviously
doesn’t work against good players!” Or, “Thanks for
punishing my stupidity!” Words, I hope, that will help
me remember not to expect to hit dumb shots for
winners next time. •