Monday Holiday pickleball was a fun day. There were more new people involved, one I know well and enjoy playing with, the other I don’t know except to have seen on the courts playing a tennis hybrid version of the sport.
I played with almost everyone and felt like the rotation was pretty solid.
After watching the video of my Saturday play I know I have to work on reacting to body shots (not dropping my paddle) and transition blocks, in addition to everything else that needs improvement. I asked one of the guys there to hit body shots at me when he got the chance and he said, you don’t want me to work your backhand?
I was partly relieved to hear he was working my backhand because it frustrates me when he gets winners off it. Every time he beats me I tell myself, keep working on it. Anyway, I told him not to stop going after my backhand, just mix in the body shots too. I’m so high maintenance. I feel bad for the poor guy, providing him exact ways to win points against me, but he seemed ok with the ask.
Two of the guys there are a relief to adulthood, they joke and play and tease one another just like we did as children. Their favorite thing to do, if the moment is right, is try to hit each other with serves. I find it hilarious but I think it’s just because I like both of them and find their youthful ways entertaining.
One of them tried to hit me once and I proudly (that I reacted quickly), and embarrassingly, knocked it back over the net, costing my team a point. Everyone laughed and they were nice enough to do a replay. I think what shocks them most is when I join in and try to hit them. It could be shocking because they don’t expect or it could be shocking because I still hit the ball hard, like I would a normal serve. I haven’t tagged anyone yet but I’ve definitely made them jump a few times.
