We are good at feeling the awe of a great rally.
We’re less certain about what we actually saw.
This rally is 90 seconds long.
92 shots.
In six minutes, you can watch it four times.
First: feel
Just watch.
Don’t try to make sense of it.
Let yourself feel some awe.
Second: listen
Turn the volume up.
Hit play again.
Close your eyes until the very end.
Listen to the rhythm.
Third: selective attention
This time, watch only their feet.
Ignore the ball completely.
Fourth: inhabit
Before you press play, pick one player.
It doesn’t matter who.
Maybe you like their hair.
Or their shoes.
Any reason is fine.
You might realize later that you identify more viscerally with a different player.
That’s fine too.
Don’t take your eyes off that player for the whole rally.
After: map
Write down anything that stuck with you.
Observations.
Questions.
Small things.
Nothing is too trivial.
Now, watch one more time and see how everything comes together.
You can use this approach with any rally or match.
Part of an ongoing series on how to watch pickleball.