dinksWhat ’ s News Pickleball
SCIENCE OF PICKLEBALL
HOW TO BEST COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR DOUBLES PARTNER ( IT ’ S PROBABLY NOT WHAT YOU THINK !)
By Joe Dinoffer
The top three examples of good doubles communications , according to a casual discussion with a group of doubles players , are : encourage your partner , be positive and encouraging to yourself , and try to play relaxed yourself .
All these tips are wonderful , but general . And one approach does not fit all ! Each doubles partner you play with has different communications preferences that will affect how they play .
Normally , finding a doubles partner that you “ click ” with is luck or coincidence . To stack up more wins and have more fun , here are two tips to keep in mind .
TIP # 2 : DETERMINE WHETHER YOUR PARTNER IS MORE VISUAL OR EMOTIONAL ( FEELING )
Each of us has a preferred manner of communicating while engaged in sports , or just about anything in life : Visual or Feeling ( kinesthetic ). Two examples :
Example # 1 – Your partner interacts primarily with the world around him with feelings and physical responses . If your partner misses an easy shot on an important point and you tell him , “ Just watch the ball ,” he will get more stressed than if you would say nothing but get him bouncing and working off some of that inevitable stress of competition .
Example # 2 – Your partner views the world from a highly visual perspective . If this partner misses an easy shot on an important point and you tell her , “ Just breathe ,” chances are she will get more anxious and upset than if you would encourage her with visual cues such as , “ Focus on the flight of the ball .”
SUMMARY
Comparing singles to doubles , playing doubles is much more complex because you have not only your own emotions and mind to contend with , but are also engaging with your partner ’ s mind and emotions as well . Try to keep these tips in mind for better doubles ! •
Joe Dinoffer is a master professional in the USPTA and PTR , has written nine books , produced 22 DVDs , and has appeared on the Tennis Channel . His company , at
oncourtoffcourt . com , designs and manufactures training aids for pickleball , tennis , and yoga . He has also produced dozens of pickleball tips for YouTube . Joe shares that experience and passion in this regular column for Pickleball Magazine .
TIP # 1 : TALK LESS , COMMUNICATE MORE
This is a great axiom for coaches , parents , and players alike . Overtalking and overthinking do not match well with sports performance .
PHOTO BY TOM JOYCE