The Importance of Getting The Basics Right
Lately, I have been obsessed with Pickleball. I started playing is because I needed an exercise that practise my open skill. It helps with my cognition and concentration.
I have an obsessive and competitive attitude. This new hobby has led me into a deep hole. Watching YouTube lessons and reading about latest equipment took up most of my free time. I was especially obsessed with 'adding more spins' into my game.
Eventually my playing partner had enough of my 'passion'. We exchanged paddles and played a game. He wiped me out. I was using his professional paddle, and he uses my budget midrange paddle.
Ultimately, he said I do not need more 'spin' in my game and my gears are good enough. I need stronger foundation. The boring stuffs like footwork, and the correct way to play. Avoid playing into the net and making self-inflicting mistakes like fouling myself.
A lot of us do not have the patience to get the fundaments right. We all want to go straight into the fancy stuffs, and we blame our shortfalls on our equipment. However, it is always the lack of basic skills that stun our progress. Whatever hobby or skills that you are pursuing now, be sure to master the basics before moving into advance level. The basic stuffs are boring, but it also forms the foundation of your progress. Sometimes, winning is not about being fancy but being boring.