The 1st Rule of Being in the Zone?
I’ll let you think about that for a moment
In today’s Bite Size Pickleball Newsletter:
The First Rule of Being in the Zone
Rick’s TV show update
THE 1ST RULE OF THE ZONE
Don’t talk about the Zone! In the illustration above, the pitcher is on the verge of a no-hitter, he is as far removed from his teammates as possible, and they are respecting his space and letting him stay in his own mindful place.
This should be the same for you in pickleball. If you, or your teammate, is in The Zone, don’t say one word about it, act like it’s not happening, stay away from the need to point out how great or cool it is. IT JUST IS. Speaking words of wisdom, LET IT BE.
There have been a couple of times when I was on the verge of a Golden Pickle. That’s when you serve out 11 straight points. And while totally in The Zone, I had to open my mouth and blow it. I have reached a Golden Pickle twice, but came close a couple of other times but felt the need to comment on it. Another time, recently, my partner was really close, and I had to open my mouth again. We all know what happened next. “No Golden Pickle for you!”
It was just what happened in the clip of me shooting baskets below. I had to open my mouth and speak directly to the camera highlighting how many shots in a row I had made.
BTW, I am warming up my shot because it looks like the basketball TV show I created with Elton Brand, GM of the Sixers, is about to go into production. I want to be able to earn some respect on the court from the high profile dudes I will be covering for the show! I don’t want to come off as some nerdy dude who can direct, but can’t ball!
Hoops was my life BEFORE pickleball. During the pandemic, they put metal lids on all the rims in town, which forced me into trying pickleball. So glad I did!
“And, pickleball, I will never leave you. But my first love is a-calling.”
The first basket I ever made in my life was when I was 3-years-old. My family had a little neighborhood carnival on our property and there was a basketball shootout. I remember helping my dad man the attraction, I think I was the ticket collector. And when it was all over, I must have walked up to the 10-foot basket and sized it up, because my dad put me on his shoulders and assisted me as I dropped my first bucket in the hoop. I owe my dad everything.
The name of the show is Hardcourt Heirs. Fitting that my dad led the way, much like all the former NBA players who are going to be in our show led the way for their sons. I’ll keep ya posted! Meantime, count ‘em out!
In my younger days of tennis, if my opponent’s serve was killing me. COMPLIMENT and start asking questions - wow! What are u doing different? Once they started talking, serve not so good. I’m sure I would never do something like on the pickleball court now.