We have all had that situation where we show up at the pickleball courts and the four players are of uneven playing ability.  One player may be stronger than the other three, one may be weaker. The best games are almost always where the players are of nearly identical quality but such equality is not all that common on a pickleball court.

In league or tournament play we can expect the weakest player on each doubles team to receive as many balls as the opposition can possibly fire at them.  We call that targeting and is completely acceptable in a competitive situation.  If you are that weaker player, you better be ready to handle 90% of the balls or come up with a strategy for getting your partner, the better player, more involved. Sports is simply like that, find your opponent’s weakness and exploit it. 

Should your team fail to adjust the weaker player will feel like the bumper at the bottom of a pin ball machine when the little silver ball seemingly gets stuck between two spots and ricochets back and forth with such velocity the result is blurred vision.

When playing in a more social setting it is best to forgo the targeting strategy and play as though each player is equal.  There are a number of reasons for this including if you fail to hit the ball to the better player, the better players will not want to play with you.  Hitting to the better play will result in you being forced to hit tougher shots and thereby improving your game.

Challenge yourself by keeping the best player on the court involved and you may find your winning percentage in social games sink like congresses approval rating but you will become a better player.

Paddles Out,

Mother

We have all had that situation where we show up at the pickleball courts and the four players are of uneven playing ability.  One player may be stronger than the other three, one may be weaker. The best games are almost always where the players are of nearly identical quality but such equality is not all that common on a pickleball court.

In league or tournament play we can expect the weakest player on each doubles team to receive as many balls as the opposition can possibly fire at them.  We call that targeting and is completely acceptable in a competitive situation.  If you are that weaker player, you better be ready to handle 90% of the balls or come up with a strategy for getting your partner, the better player, more involved. Sports is simply like that, find your opponent’s weakness and exploit it. 

Should your team fail to adjust the weaker player will feel like the bumper at the bottom of a pin ball machine when the little silver ball seemingly gets stuck between two spots and ricochets back and forth with such velocity the result is blurred vision.

When playing in a more social setting it is best to forgo the targeting strategy and play as though each player is equal.  There are a number of reasons for this including if you fail to hit the ball to the better player, the better players will not want to play with you.  Hitting to the better play will result in you being forced to hit tougher shots and thereby improving your game.

Challenge yourself by keeping the best player on the court involved and you may find your winning percentage in social games sink like congresses approval rating but you will become a better player.

Paddles Out,

Mother