scene on the court
Occasional Observations from a Pickleball Curmudgeon
By Craig Laughlin
‘In My Defense’
As a student of the game of pickleball,
I’ve attended numerous boot camps
and clinics, taken private lessons, and
watched nearly every instructional video
on YouTube (you know, the ones posted by Scott Moore,
Pickle Pong Deb, Jason Brinoes, Sarah Ansboury,
Daniel Moore, Simone Jardim, Coach Dave,
Rusty, Tony, and, well, you get the idea). I
desperately want to improve my pickleball
game, but as an athlete of only modest natural
talents, improvement comes at a maddeningly
slow pace.
I also wish to see gradual improvement in the
level of play in my local community because I assume
most other players also wish to get better (which I realize
is not a universal mindset) and, more selfishly, because
playing against better competition will make me a
better player.
Being a student of technique and strategy, I often
notice simple things other players could do to improve
their game. Sometimes these players are more talented
than I am, but believing that a rising tide lifts all boats, I
frequently ask for permission to speak anyway.
After a recent game, I asked my partner if I could share
an observation I thought might improve his game. He
said yes, so I told him I noticed that whenever he was
forced to run from the back line for a ball in the kitchen,
he always lobbed, which resulted in our having the ball
crammed down our throats every time.
I mentioned the strategic principle “When in trouble,
dink cross-court,” and explained the rationales for doing
so (i.e., that it would make the ball un-attackable, would
give him more room for error, and would give him more
time to get back in position before the opponents hit the
ball again). His reply: “Well, in my defense, most people
would have never gotten to those balls.” I remained
silent, but thought to myself: “What’s that got to do with
anything? And why on Earth would you feel the need to
‘defend’ yourself?”
I know from 40+ years of playing competitive volleyball
that some people hate being coached by other players.
I’m just not one of them. If a teammate sees me falling
into a bad habit during a game, like not dropping my
inside shoulder when I pass a ball that’s off axis, I want
them to tell me so I can make an adjustment, and I thank
them for doing so. Unfortunately for me, I sometimes
ignore the fact that not everyone thinks like I do.
In a recent match, my partner kept stepping into the
court after serving, and the opponents kept returning
deep, forcing her to back up. After plopping her thirdshot
drop short of the net for about the sixth time, I said,
“You’re stepping into the court after your serve and they
are pushing you back. It’s hard to make a good shot when
you are moving backward.”
She replied, “I know what I’m doing,” and let me
know that she didn’t appreciate my comment. I later
apologized for not asking permission to speak—but
found myself wondering how any of us, myself included,
can ever hope to improve if we practice making the same
mistakes over and over.
If you ever play with me, know that my motto is: “If
you see something, say something.” Even if I think you
are wrong, I will simply say, “Thank you.” •
28 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO PICKLEBALLMAGAZINE.COM