i
INSTRUCTION
by ALICE TYM
WHY SPORTSMANSHIP MATTERS: THE OBVIOUS AND NOT-SO-OBVIOUS REASONS
We all want our sport to be respected. We don’ t want to bring shame to pickleball as it develops into a recognized paddle sport. To honor the founding principles of the game and positively guide this development, we must work to exhibit good sportsmanship at all levels.
Not only is this good for pickleball, but it can also facilitate both personal and play improvement.
Be a class act on the court, the medal stand, and in life itself. Act like you have been in the winner’ s circle before. Hold your head high, win or lose. You don’ t want your opponents to think that they can hang in there until you lose your cool and throw the match. Your frustration gives them staying power.
You don’ t want potential partners to decline playing with you because you cheat.
You don’ t want to be left off teams because you have a bad reputation and / or you bring shame. You want to be able to look in the mirror and be proud of yourself for your effort.
You want to be known as a sportsman, a fighter who tries until the last point. As James Michener said,“ Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.” Never give up.
There are so many good reasons for being a good person and a good sport. There are pragmatic reasons too! Here is a scenario … The match is close. Your opponent hits a ball that dribbles over the net. Your partner complains and makes snide comments that it is a“ lucky shot.” She grumbles under her breath. Your opponent knows that she is negative, and the momentum can shift. Negativity produces negativity. What if the grumbler had said“ Good shot,” implying that it takes a winner to beat her?
Besides showing good sportsmanship, what being complimentary also says is,“ You are going to have to play well and hit lucky shots to beat me.” Same thing for when your opponent hits a great shot. If you say“ Great shot,” you are also implying,“ You had better keep that up or else I will be able to beat you.”
Staying cool puts pressure on your opponent. She knows you will play well and that it will take luck and perfection to beat you. In addition, you look like a sportswoman to the people in the stands. In reality, you are also thinking like a world-class player. And thinking is the first step toward becoming.
What about the jerks who hit balls away from you or roll them to you between points? They are just jackasses who want to change the rhythm of play and throw you off your game. You want to call them out on it, but then they have achieved a distraction. You are better off staying the steady course of class because it keeps you on track.
The sportsmanlike behavior of British and Australian players is a good example of toughness. Aussies fight so hard on the court and seem unperturbable. That steadfastness gives them power. The determination of good sportsmanship is power. Winning fair and square is superiority. There is a certain validation of character when you win with class.
Current pickleball players have a chance to shape and to influence the sport. There are senior players like California’ s Phil Dunmeyer, who selflessly teaches hundreds of beginners and is a class act himself. He is passing it on. Now the pros are making the rules and guiding the sport.
Hopefully, good leadership will arise, and sportsmanship will remain an integral part of the game. Money should be the outcome of a well-managed sport rather than the driving force to popularize it. •
Alice Tym was ranked 13th in the world for tennis in the‘ 60s. She’ s been named USPTA Coach of the Year and is a USPTA Master Professional. As a 4.5 pickleball player, she has won gold in Huntsman, NSGA Nationals, US Open, and USA Pickleball events around the country. Alice is an IPTPA member, SSIPA founding board member, Bainbridge Cup Originator and gold medalist in Spain, Italy, and Germany.
42 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO PICKLEBALLMAGAZINE. COM