There you are, a lob coming your way and wham!!! You slam that ball with all your might and it hits your opponent in the chest. You yell across the net, “Sorry!” But are you really sorry? Isn’t that all part of the game?
Someone told me a few weeks ago to aim for the person’s chest when you’re both at the net to catch the opponent off guard. Hey, all is fair in pickleball, but a guilty feeling can quickly take over as we all have been taught to not hit each other with balls, bats, and other hard objects. I can honestly say that when I played racquetball, that we never deliberately hit each other with the ball. (Boy, when you did get hit, it left a nasty black and blue.)
I have talked to players who won’t play with certain other players who SLAM the ball because they consider the game too dangerous playing with that “rude” player. To be honest, when you are playing an opponent that is obviously at a much lower level than you is smacking the ball at their face a really nice thing to do? I think not. But let’s say that there are 4 equal players in skill level, then being “tagged” by a ball is something to be expected. Also, wearing eye protection is probably a good idea; however, at this time the pros don’t seem to be wearing eye protection in tournaments. Hmmmmm.
90% of the body shots are totally by mistake. You were aiming for their backhand and your shot is a little off and you hit them in the arm. A shocked look appears on their face and they look at you like you are the devil incarnate. Sometimes you’ll even hear an ohhhhhh from the spectators which makes you feel even worse. Suddenly, haunting memories of middle school dodge ball comes back to you when Donnie Spitzer would target you with that evil look on his face. What a bully and now you feel like the bully. Mistakes happen so let’s let the player that hit you off the hook.
The moral of this story is being hit by a pickleball is bound to happen every once in a while. Shake it off, and if you are the offender nothing wrong with saying sorry. If you are playing in a tournament…hey, it could be a good thing. Sorry, not sorry.
Another good strategy is moving out of the line of fire and letting that ball go out. Revenge is sweet!
Thanks for reading,
Pickleball Terry
I honestly feel that when someone gets hit it’s because they were out of position.
Good excuse, but not always true🤪
Hahahah amazing title love to read this topic.
I honestly do not mind slamming if all four players are the same level. I have done this myself many times. I have a problem when more advanced players slam beginners. I have spoken out more than once to the slammers that it is not ok considering the opponents abilities. It is mostly when the slammer is not able to control their hits and direction and all they do is slam out of control because they are stronger or younger and want to win at all costs. I get the winning competitiveness, but. I keep telling people they need to be more observant of the group they are playing especially older and newer players.
how else are lower level players going to learn and get better? if you’re not willing to improve your game and learn from your mistakes, then you shouldn’t be playing
Whether I tag someone or not depends upon several factors. Are they at or above my playing level? Is it an overhead, or is it a volley? If we’re close in skill level, and it’s a volley where an open space isn’t an easy shot, I won’t hesitate to go for a chicken wing, or the hip on their paddle hand side, never at the face obviously. If we aren’t at the same skill level, I never tag anyone intentionally. If it’s an overhead to same skill level, I NEVER tag, but try for feet, or angle away. Overheads to those of lesser skill is just a shot to keep the ball in play, preferably deep. In general, if you don’t like being tagged, get better at this game rather than avoiding “taggers”. I find that silly, and not taking responsibility for your improvement. Or, be with another group of players who are playing only a casual, social game.