ok - there has been discussion in a Pickleball group I follow about Court and play etiquette..
The subjects were Poaching and Group of 4 playing together... and I am commenting on these as it is REC CENTER - aka Friendly play..aka = not tournament play...
A) Poaching - this happens in every game - and I think when you can do it a - it is a good strategy. Your opponent is waiting for the ball to be hit by player A - but player B jumps across and returns it instead - many times it has been successful - as they are not ready for the ball... and yep it has happened to me more times than I care to say - HOWEVER - this discussion was about one player constantly taking the ball that is headed to their partner - to the point the partner and at times even the other team - says " hey - you gonna let me/them play - or you taking all the shots " - now I guess it was directed to a younger and maybe more skilled playeer - but IMHO that makes it worse... There is no Trophy to be gained here ... NO checks handed out at the end of the day.... if you want to go get balls you think the other can't get - thats ONE OR TWO - fine,. but this is REC Play - let it go = think how it makes the other player feel . when even being called out for it , and being spoken to by other players does not make you stop - then I hate that the solution might be - NOPE - NO one is playing with them - wanna be a one person team - go hit balls by yourself.....
I am going to expand this Poaching discussion to one team continually peppering the "weaker" player - again - Friendly play - NOT tournament. I witnessed a few pissed off players when the opponents continually hit the ball to theless experienced player . I gotta ask - If you do that .. Is that really fun for you ?? that whoa - you can slam the ball past a less experienced player .... BFD..... and what fun for them ?? did someone do that to you when you were learning ?? when you were the less experienced player ?? Gimme a break - If you really are the more experienced player - act like it and get both of your opponents involved -
B) Group of four playing together ,... ok and I get it ... your Group of four comes off the court and there are NOT 4 paddles in the next stack.... you don't wanna break up your 4 .... OK - but 1) you DO NOT get to jump the line.... if there ain't 4 - then the court stays open till the next game ends that has a player or Players willing to join the less than 4 paddles waiting - too bad if a cour t has to stay open. and I get it - you want to play competitive games - every game .... and frankly no matter what skill level you are - or think you are - I have Questions.,.... Are you on the Pro Pickleball Tour ??? How long have you played this game. ??? a year - 2 years - or were you voted Ms/Mr Pickleball in your Grade-school Class ?? First day on the court you knew the rules,,, the scorings ? you were the one that defined Lobs and 3rd shot drops and you drew the first Kitchen line??? ya get my point. ?? as the kids say "you feel me" ?? NO ONE = NO ONE was born with a Joola Ben Johns in their hand.... everyone learned the game = so gimme a break - we have a responsibility to play games with players at all levels, and skills - EVERY game ?? no - but enough games that others are included = and don't give advice or Coaching unless asked.,.... many players are just oth there to move and sweat a little , to get their heart pumping, and be part of the Group to converse and meet/greet others on a daily basis.... they might not be a 5.0 player and that is not their/our goal. i read a while back about - playing say 50-60 % of your games with people of equal skill level as yours,,,, and then 25-30 % of the games .vs people better than you - and the rest of players with skill level less that you (and maybe you work on drop shot or a lob or dinking in those games)
and ok - let's talk about Unrequested coaching - Simple - DON'T DO IT !!! - simple - DON'T do it ! keep your YAPP shut....
If your partner asks you about where to stand or move ,, or how they can better return a shot,.. OK , thats your opportunity.. try criticizing your own play when you miss hit a hit long or side out or into the net. Saying things like "I know better than to make a full swing at a ball this close to the net - I know I should just kinda Punch it" or "darn - I need to get my paddle down close to the ground when that shot is returned high to the other side - man I gotta remember when their paddle goes up = mine needs to go down" "whoa - they hit that serve hard - I have to take a step back from the End line so I can return it" .... or darn it - look where I am - no man's land - I need to get closer to the Kitchen Line" and like in managing people - sometimes the $hit Sandwich works best - that's an improvement - sandwiched between two compliments.. "you really have that serve down - you put it right in the box every time ..... then remember the party is at the net - so when I move up - try to move up with me - But keep getting that serve in - gives us great chance to win the point.. !!
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