Life Lessons Learned

Yesterday marked my return to pickleball after recovery and convalescence from my corrective eyelid surgery. As usual, the courts for open play were crowded and time dragged on a bit between chances to play. I was chatting with a player named Ben when he reached into a pocket, pulled out a wrinkled sheet of note paper, and handed it to me.

Reading is still a little tough for me post-op, but I noticed the emblem of my alma mater at the top. Below this was a handwritten list titled “The Ten Commandments of Pickleball.” The commandments were so obvious that Moses could have brought them down from Sinai on two paddles. “Dink to your opponent’s backhand,” “Try to hit a winner on your serve,” “Don’t forget to come to the net.” You get the idea.

A few minutes later I played two mixed doubles games against Ben. I couldn’t tell if he was following the pickleball commandments, but I could tell that he was pissing off his partners mightily. He was telling them where to stand and what to do. His intent was clear; he planned to poach every ball and hit every shot. By the end of the two games, both ladies who had partnered with him were grumbling, out loud and under their breath.

Watching Ben’s approach inspired me to consider how we can all have a better time on the court. Based on Ben’s play, I present my observations of how to enjoy open pickleball.

MY TEN COMMANDMENTS OF PICKLEBALL

• Everyone is playing on the same court. Stop blaming every missed shot on the quality of the lights, the color of the lines, or the texture of the flooring.

• There are no instant replays. If you can’t make a line call, give the point to your opponents.

• If a line call goes against you, suck it up. No calling the next one in your favor “just to even things up.”

• Never push a partner out of your way, unless it is to avoid injury to either of you.

• Don’t lecture your partner. Your partner likely isn’t paying you for in-game lessons.

• Avoid aiming shots that might injure an opponent. If your shot hits someone with unusual ferocity, apologize, and mean it!

• When you are racking up in an “open” situation, don’t insist that you will only play with your besties. It’s fun and challenging to play with different people. If you want to play only with your friends, you can reserve a court just for you.

• When a ball from another court interferes with anyone on your court, call a let. And don’t complain that you would have won the point.

• You won’t lose any points if you smile every once in a while.

• Be courteous, congratulate your opponents on a nice shot, and HAVE FUN.

On reflection, maybe my commandments aren’t just helpful in pickleball. With compassion and camaraderie, we can all go a long way.