Trying to Get Better at Pickleball

I’ve blogged about my Pickleball experiences before but I continue to play and it’s on my mind. As a senior, I know my ability to perform any athletic activity is fleeting at best. But I do continue to enjoy this sport, probably the socialization as much as the competition and physical movement. My problem is with each passing year of play I have found my years of experience are not translating into better performance on the court. While I don’t consider myself a highly competitive person, I must admit that while winning is not the only thing, it still feels good. Since I never was a participant in any competitive sports during my school years, yes that makes me Pre Title IX, I was not sure what I needed to do to get my game back in the direction I wanted.

Practicing Pickleball

Seeing how the grandkids all experienced their own athletic success, I decided I would seek out their advice. To a person they said I can only get better if I ….PRACTICE! Now like most people my age they participate in their favorite outdoor or indoor sport by playing. Not practicing. I play Pickleball games with several different groups during the week. We don’t really practice, we just play. I have a hard time asking someone from these groups to just practice with me. I don’t want to impose on a friend by asking them to take time out of their lives, interests and family to dink with me! For those who haven’t played, dinking is just hitting the ball between two people, over the net to loosen up prior to the game. My grandkids thought there needed to be more practice. They all said, to improve your skills, you had to practice them. Improve your hand/eye coordination, agility and anticipation of the next return. Repetition is the key. Or so they told me.

Finally, my grandson agreed to assist me with some common drills. He’s attending school and working here in Lincoln, so thought an exchange of his time for our leftovers would be a good trade-off. He agreed to be my coach. Food continues to win him over!!

Getting Help from My Grandson

Days before we started I asked him how should I prepare. He said, “besides practicing?” I said, yes. He thought it would be a good idea to Google Pickleball drills. He again suggested I practice with my current group of Pickleball friends whom I play with several times a week. I got no takers. I assumed it was the curse of “I’d rather use the limited energy I have to play rather than practice” approach of my generation.

My grandson and I went to a nearby court to conduct a few of the drills I had found online. We were outside in the heat of what appears to be the hottest summer we’ve had in years and we went through the drills. I melted. I think the plastic ball we were playing with even melted. I quickly told my grandson I had to call it a day.

So much for improving my game. I have now accepted my Senior Status on the Pickleball court. I will never play in the Cornhusker State Games. I will never have a medal draped around my neck. But I will continue to enjoy the company of friends doing what we enjoy. Then again, there is always next week.