1. YOU CATCH YOUR OPPONENT APPROACHING THE KITCHEN LINE WITH HIS PADDLE LOW. YOU:
A) Wind up for a hard topspin aimed at his sternum. Easy tag!
B) Stop the game and talk to him about paddle positioning.
C) Take a step forward: It’s dink time!
D) Wonder where you’ll go for lunch after the game.
2. YOU NAIL YOUR SERVE, SO NOW YOU’RE HOPING YOUR OPPONENT:
A) Lobs the ball so you can smash it back hard.
B) Keeps his form in mind while hitting the ball.
C) Returns it low.
D) Remembers it’s his turn to buy the drinks tonight.
3. WHEN YOU’RE ON THE COURT, YOUR FEET ARE:
A) Positioned sideways, giving you momentum for your overhead smash.
B) Taking cues from your core muscles.
C) Facing forward, ready to shuffle.
D) Tired, dreaming about a new pair of shoes.
4. YOUR GRIP COULD BEST BE DESCRIBED AS:
A) A death grip.
B) Continental.
C) Loosey-goosey, baby, loosey-goosey.
D) A firm handshake.
5. TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR DOUBLES PARTNER, YOU:
A) Call the ball: “Mine!”
B) Use the signal system you developed before the match.
C) Listen for them to call in or out; you’re too busy at the net to look back.
D) Read their body language.
6. YOUR FAVORITE SHOT IS THE:
A) Serve. Few people can return your ripper.
B) Second shot. You often return while saying “Nice serve; a little soft, but you’re getting it.”
C) Third shot. Time to transition to the net.
D) Do tequila shots count?
7. TO PREPARE FOR A MATCH, YOU:
A) Lift weights at the gym.
B) Watch matches on YouTube to learn new techniques.
C) Head out for a hike or jog to build endurance.
D) Google “pickleball court with a view.”
MOSTLY A’s:
The Banger
Your friends often describe you as confident, and on the court you’re a force to be reckoned with. Overhead smashes excite you, and you swear the boundary lines change from court to court.
MOSTLY B’s:
The Coach
Fundamentals are the building blocks of fun, and your idea of fun is improving your game…and maybe your opponent’s game too. A little advice never hurt anyone, right?
MOSTLY C’s:
The Dinker
Your defensive play is strong, and your idea of a great match is filled with long rallies and low scores. Endurance is the name of your game, and those sprinting drills you run are finally paying off.
MOSTLY D’s:
The Socialite
You’re in it for a good time, and to you, keeping score is less important than having fun with friends. You often find yourself offering as much encouragement to your opponents as you do to your teammate.
