Empty or Full

We have all heard the expression, your glass is either half empty or half full. This phrase relates to a person either having a positive or a negative attitude. 

In one form or another, this mentality is inherent and it exists in all of us. It affects how we deal with and handle issues on all levels of our lives.

As for me, I am a very positive attitude person and I love to be challenged!

My attitude is, the more empty my glass is, the more I have already experienced and the more that it needs to be refilled with new experiences!

So, if you are like me, how do we deal with playing against negative attitude individuals?

There are actually two types of negative personalities. I refer to them as either negative/negative or negative/positive.

If I am playing against a negative attitude opponent, the first thing I do is analyze their body language to determine which type they are.

Someone who is negative/negative, will generally have body language which is somewhat self-contained. They generally pace back and forth or around in circles and are constantly bickering or arguing about something with someone, (mostly themselves).

The best strategy against this type of opponent is to just allow them the time to self-implode.

Someone who is negative/positive, will generally have body language which is not so much self-contained, but much more in your face! They are way above and beyond just bickering and talking to themselves and find the need to have to comment on everything. They will usually attempt to engage you and include you in their argumentative attitude.

The best strategy against this type of opponent is to not engage with or respond to the negativity of this individual!

With that said, while you don’t want to engage with them or respond to them verbally, we do want to engage with them and respond to them visually with our own body language.

Don’t be afraid to look them right in the eye and “give them the look”!

As we all know, the worst feeling in the world is when we get “the look and the silent treatment” after a tiff with a spouse or a loved one.

Also, don’t allow them the privilege of running the show.

For instance, if you are the serving team, begin the next point as soon as possible, don’t give this person time to rant and rave.

Most importantly, stay focused on your game and your strategy. The more you begin to interact with this person, the less attention you are paying to yourself.

Recreational pickleball play is a social activity and for the most part players should save their game face for tournament competition.

One of the best things about the sport of pickleball is that it’s the only sport which I have ever participated in where win or lose, at the end of the day, I always have a smile on my face!

Wayne Clark is a professional tennis instructor with over 25 years’ experience coaching players on all levels of the game. Wayne is also qualified in pickleball instruction and is on staff as an instructor with The Naples Pickleball Center and Training Academy at East Naples Community Park. Contact Coach Wayne by email at coachwayneclark@aol.com, or by phone or text at 239-450-6161.