@ZSistersPickleball - How many times did you say sorry during your last pickleball game? Count the "sorrys" in a typical rec-league match and it is easily a dozen or more in a single game. While apologizing makes sense for safety—like running into someone or accidentally hitting them with the ball—apologizing for mistakes on the court is a bad habit.
This habit is especially prevalent if you are over 55, and it is actively stealing your confidence, your joy, and your game. Whether you do it because you feel nervous, tired, insecure, or embarrassed playing with better players, it is completely unnecessary.
In this video, we share simple ways to break this reflex:
* No Sorry for Let Cords: It is a part of the court and a part of the game.
* No Apology for Good Shots: Honor the game and your opponents by appreciating the good shots you make.
* Stop Preempting Failure: Don't walk onto the court making excuses and apologizing before anything even happens.
* Smart Partner Dynamics: Stepping across the line to poach is good, aggressive team play. Taking a high ball in the center is efficient court coverage, not hogging. Call it clearly, take the shot, and trust your partner to have your back.
If you frame your time on the court around having fun, meeting friends, and getting exercise, you get a gold star and have nothing to be sorry about. Apologizing for your condition, being late, hitting a ball out, or taking a shot away from your partner is entirely unnecessary.
We wrap up with a simple "Playwork" challenge: Next time you play, notice the urge to say sorry, count how many times you feel like saying it, and then decide to do it one less time. Curbing this bad habit will free your game and completely change your perspective of enjoyment on the court! We want to hear from you in the comments below.
WATCH another Z Sisters Pickleball video on this topic: Love Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry in Pickleball - https://youtu.be/al2KYwWQZnU
⏰ TIMECODES ⏰
0:00 - The Pickleball "Sorry" Trap & Rec Match Reality
0:47 - When Apologizing Makes Sense (Safety vs. Mistakes)
1:09 - Why Over-Apologizing Destroys Your Mental Game
1:55 - Rule #1: No Sorry for Lucky Let Cords & Good Shots
2:58 - Stop Making Excuses: The Preemptive Apology Mistake
3:46 - Partner Dynamics: Poaching & Center Court Coverage
4:28 - The 3-Step "Playwork" Challenge to Free Your Game
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