INSTRUCTION
By Rick Cipes
Finding the Perfect Pickleball Partner
Personally , I feel like finding a partner to compete with in pickleball is like prom all over again : Do they like me ? Should I ask them to go ? Will I be rejected ? Will they be as committed as I am ? Would I have to meet their parents ? All these old feelings are dredged up . How you navigate those feelings is up to you . But here are a few thoughts . 1 . Don ’ t choose too soon . I asked someone to team up after playing with them once , as in one game . That didn ’ t work out too well ! Neither of us trusted one another from the start , and he ended up quitting the second week of our league .
Instead of a rash decision , put your scouting cap on , and do your homework . When you ’ re ready to take the initiative , invite your prospective partner out to play , graduate to some drilling , and see how you do . Actually , it ’ s just like dating : Take it one date at a time and see if there is a spark , before proceeding to date number two .
2 . Once you commit , try to be 100-percent supportive . No eyerolls , no shrugging , etc . There will be rough times , but that ’ ll be your opportunity to build team character , grit and determination . “ If you run into a wall , don ’ t turn around and give up ,” says Michael Jordan . “ Figure out how to climb it , go through it , or work around it .”
3 . Be a good listener . All of us are great at voicing our opinions , but how many of us are truly skilled at listening ? Listening , and being aware of someone else ’ s needs , will go a long way in helping any kind of successful partnership . My suggestion is to consciously practice listening . You can try it with anyone .
4 . If your partnership isn ’ t successful , instead of the blame game , figure out what you learned from the experience , and bring it with you the next time you play . That partner of mine who quit ? I yelled at him once during the game , maybe twice . But I ’ m pretty sure I haven ’ t yelled at anyone since . Be willing to say you ’ re sorry . It ’ s amazing how effective it can be , yet so many of us find the word so hard to utter . Remember , chances are , you ’ ll probably have to see this person
around the courts , and it ’ s not fun if you have to become Vince Vaughn dodging an ex in a high school hallway .
5 . Be willing to sacrifice your ego . Sometimes , you won ’ t be the stronger player . That often causes a player to subconsciously compete with their partner , rather than focus their energy on the opponents . A good analogy here is to be a good bass player when your partner is rocking out and fill in accordingly . In basketball , it ’ s known as “ going to the hot hand .” Do you want to win ? Or do you want to cry because you ’ re not getting the touches you think you deserve ? A positive example is anyone who ever plays with Ben Johns .
Lastly , be patient in developing your partnership , and strive to focus on the process over the results , and the results might surprise you . And seriously , if they forget your corsage ? Let it be ! Just play that funky bass ! •
Rick Cipes has written for ESPN Magazine and the L . A . Times and hosts the popular Facebook group Inner Game of Pickleball . Check out Rick ’ s brand of pickleball fashion at
innergameofpickleball . com . Use discount code “ vipcustomer10 ” for the best holiday gifts .