A pickleball story
This personal pickleball story is a reminder that the purpose of a game is play. You don't have to complicate it. You don't have to monetize it. Just play.
When I first learned to play pickleball in 2021, I took three lessons. After that, my coach encouraged us to join open play. I was nervous, because I was so new and the other players seemed intimidating. My friend (I’ll call him A) recognized me standing on the sideline and invited me to be his partner.
“Just hit the ball over the net and stay out of the kitchen,” A reminded me. The first ball whizzed right between us. It should have been my ball but I was too nervous to go for it.
“It’s okay,” he said.
My shoes felt like they had concrete in them. I had some good hits and some not so good hits. We were up 8-2.
I’m not sure what happened next exactly, but A went down. He hobbled off the court and was taken to the hospital. I’d find out later it was his Achilles, and he wouldn’t play for a year.
My coach stepped up to finish the game. We should have won, but we didn’t. Every ball that came my way was disastrous. I hit the ball into the net or beyond the opponent’s baseline. I was mortified as the other team celebrated their comeback win.
“Did we win?” A texted me from the hospital. I avoided the question and asked him about his recovery.
That first game is legendary. Yes, I lost, but it makes a great dinner conversation about play.
I went on to take more private lessons and join elite pickleball groups. I became an excellent pickleball player with a serve my opponents feared. My coach and partner that first day is now a very famous pro player and instructor (click here).
A reminds me of the historic loss almost every time I see him… and we laugh. The benefits of this one game outlived the years I played pickleball. It was a game we all still talk fondly about despite the loss and injury. We played for the sake of play.
When I play a table game with someone that takes it too seriously, it sets the tone. I try to always keep the focus on connection and play rather than winning.
Remember why you join any game in the first place. You may also have to kindly remind the others about the purpose of a game too. Let's just play.
