A core belief I have about pickleball is that it’s more fun when played well. Most of us want to improve our game – the faster the better. Over the next five months (August through December), each issue of Desert Pickleball will focus on one way you can quickly improve your pickleball skills
When most of us began playing pickleball we were “bangers.” As we played more, we tried to hit the ball harder and harder – without hitting the ball into the net or out of bounds. It’s great to have a powerful drive that you can keep on the court, but that alone will only take you so far. You need an “all around” game to move forward to the non-volley line, where most points are won or lost.
To move forward to the non-volley line, you must be able to hit a drop shot into your opponent’s non-volley zone. The effective way to do this is with a cross-court, third shot drop, typically hit from the back of your side of the court. The cross-court, third-shot drop will set your partner up to put away the 5th shot as the winning point. This shot requires precision. You must be able to hit in the middle of your opponent’s box at the non-volley zone. If it is too close to the middle T line that’s very easy to return. If you hit it close to the sideline, you’re hitting it to your opponent’s forehand or out of bounds.
After hitting a third shot drop, you have only a second or so to decide how far forward you should move. If your third shot drop was a good one, you might be able to make it all the way to the no-volley line and assume the “ready position” (feet parallel to the no-volley line, shoulder width apart, paddle up, knees bent) – that’s great! But often, when it looks like your third shot drop will be attacked, move forward only halfway, to the middle of the court, and assume a slightly modified ready position (bend your knees more to lower your body and lower your paddle so the tip of your paddle is almost touching the court). This modified ready position gives you the best chance to return a powerfully struck volley or overhead smash.
To master this shot, you will need a great deal of practice, so don’t make a habit of driving your third shots from the back of your court and spend some time utilizing third-shot drop drills. To execute this drill, square your body to your target which for this drill is CROSS COURT. Bend your knees, step your left foot forward, and hit the ball in front and inside of your right knee if you are a right-handed player. Do the opposite leg if you are a left-handed player. Avoid hitting your third shot at the highest peak of the ball’s flight. Wait a second longer until it begins to descend and then hit. Try not to back up as you hit this shot. It is very important not to hit this shot when you are on your heels or you will shoot your third shot drop to the moon.
