The smartest guy in the room often does dumb things.  We see this on the pickleball court frequently.  Each coach or teacher has their hot button issues as what shots players should never hit, myself included.  The list of “automatics” is not super long but is consistent amongst most coaches.

Get your serve in, keep your returns deep, don’t line up in the “I” formation, and limit your unforced errors are the most common picadilloes.

The attempted shot that tangles Mother’s undies into a pickleball bundle is the “down the line forehand” in the transition area with the ball just below your mid-thigh.  Yes, I know you all have hit this shot a time or two for a winner while making your opponent look silly, but to paraphrase the great Dr. Ian Malcolm (of Jurassic Park fame), “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”  Yes, I like dinosaur movies.

One of my Pickleball buddies just loves this shot and he is a very bright man.  If he is in the room, he is indeed the smartest guy in that room.  Let’s call him Jeff.   Jeff goes for the down the line shot frequently, and it displeases me to the point where I calculated his success rate one day and it’s somewhere below the batting average of a single A backup shortstop.  Hitting wide (out) is the most obvious risk with the down the line attempt but always remember the net is a full two inches higher at that point than if you go cross court over the middle of the net.

Keeping the ball in play to continue the rally is always preferred and may result in your opponent popping one up and you getting a free ‘body bag’ as you tag him square in the Selkirk logo on his shirt.  Let’s not kid ourselves, hitting your opponent is far more satisfying than a clean winner and they can’t call the ball out if they’re cursing your for drilling them.  Please wear eye protection during all play.  Me? I wear a motorcycle helmet, one of the shiny ones with a black face mask.

If it is so important for you to rip that forehand down the line as to glorify yourself in the annals of pickleball lore, please be aware I will mock you each time you miss that shot.  Pickleball is for the patient, however, I have no patience for over aggressive mistake laden play, now go sit in the corner, put on your dunce cap and enjoy your time out.

Always remember I am not a pro nor do I have any fancy certifications so many others have earned.  I simply observe and deliver my thoughts.  Reading my blog is a bit like taking a Covid test, even if the results are positive, you won’t change your life much. 

Paddles Up,

Mother

The smartest guy in the room often does dumb things.  We see this on the pickleball court frequently.  Each coach or teacher has their hot button issues as what shots players should never hit, myself included.  The list of “automatics” is not super long but is consistent amongst most coaches.

Get your serve in, keep your returns deep, don’t line up in the “I” formation, and limit your unforced errors are the most common picadilloes.

The attempted shot that tangles Mother’s undies into a pickleball bundle is the “down the line forehand” in the transition area with the ball just below your mid-thigh.  Yes, I know you all have hit this shot a time or two for a winner while making your opponent look silly, but to paraphrase the great Dr. Ian Malcolm (of Jurassic Park fame), “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”  Yes, I like dinosaur movies.

One of my Pickleball buddies just loves this shot and he is a very bright man.  If he is in the room, he is indeed the smartest guy in that room.  Let’s call him Jeff.   Jeff goes for the down the line shot frequently, and it displeases me to the point where I calculated his success rate one day and it’s somewhere below the batting average of a single A backup shortstop.  Hitting wide (out) is the most obvious risk with the down the line attempt but always remember the net is a full two inches higher at that point than if you go cross court over the middle of the net.

Keeping the ball in play to continue the rally is always preferred and may result in your opponent popping one up and you getting a free ‘body bag’ as you tag him square in the Selkirk logo on his shirt.  Let’s not kid ourselves, hitting your opponent is far more satisfying than a clean winner and they can’t call the ball out if they’re cursing your for drilling them.  Please wear eye protection during all play.  Me? I wear a motorcycle helmet, one of the shiny ones with a black face mask.

If it is so important for you to rip that forehand down the line as to glorify yourself in the annals of pickleball lore, please be aware I will mock you each time you miss that shot.  Pickleball is for the patient, however, I have no patience for over aggressive mistake laden play, now go sit in the corner, put on your dunce cap and enjoy your time out.

Always remember I am not a pro nor do I have any fancy certifications so many others have earned.  I simply observe and deliver my thoughts.  Reading my blog is a bit like taking a Covid test, even if the results are positive, you won’t change your life much. 

Paddles Up,

Mother