3rd Shot Drop or DRIVE? Pick the Best Pickleball Shot For The Scenario

[@DesmondHilton]

I would add one additional time when you should hit a drive, or better yet a drip (medium pace drive that is intended to land at your opponent's ankles). When the player returning the serve is "lazy" getting to the NVZ. Interesting enough, this is actually over 50% of the players! A drive or a drop is almost always a better option than a lob. It's really not that hard to learn. Most baseline lobbers hit that shot because they have no confidence in their drops and drives. If you want to improve your game, take a lesson/s to learn how to hit drops and drives. I would challenge any player to prove they can be more successful lobbing from the baseline than dropping or driving. I know players that think they are successful lobbers from the baseline. I call it the "ESPN Syndrome". The one successful lob makes the highlight reel, and everybody says great shot. They come away from the game thinking their lobs were successful simply because of the one great one they hit. But reality is they hit one successful lob and three unsuccessful lobs. Now it's only math before they lose the game.

[@rickflynn8809]

This video is awesome! As a new player (less than a month) this video helped me immensely. I watched it last night and played today. Skill levels range from beginner to 4.0+. We rotate players every game so always a new partner but I won the last 5 matches I played in. My favorite is when they would serve I would keep them back so the fourth shot I could do whatever I wanted: 1. Keep them back, 2. Handcuff their partner, 3. Drop it over the net into the kitchen or 4. Angle it to the side making it an unreachable shot. Where I need work is returning a spike, I keep popping it up resulting in another spike from them.

[@knnctmarkets6523]

do you have any drills that help to condition my brain to split-step before/as the other side is about to hit their next shot?

[@playpickleball-com]

This is a GREAT idea for a future video! Thank you very much. We will add this to the list!

[@ErikaKlein-r3m]

Where is your location. South Carolina?

[@knnctmarkets6523]

Toronto, Canada@@ErikaKlein-r3m

[@rickpikowsky4285]

Unless you're a pro, it's pretty tough to drop it in the kitchen when you are back and off balance. I would lob that shot.

[@HalShoenfield-fs3bp]

Drop it, drive it, those are NOT the only options; what about lob it high & deep. That will get one or both opponents away from the kitchen giving your team an advantage. 3:14

[@playpickleball-com]

A lob on the third shot is a very low percentage shot against good teams. Can it work? Absolutely. But there is a reason the pros rarely hit a lob on the third shot

[@HalShoenfield-fs3bp]

Maybe lobs don't t work in the pros, but the video was not made for pro players, was it? My point is there are more than just the two strategies of drop or drive. Most beginners are better equipped to drive or lob than to successfully make repeated drop shots in a game. And lobs, if hit high & deep enough will get your opponents away from the kitchen line and out of position, which seems to be an important strategy in all these type of videos.

[@playpickleball-com]

Thank you for your feedback! We really do welcome it!

[@morgancr1]

​@@HalShoenfield-fs3bp I would disagree that the lob is an effective shot from the baseline, or even the midcourt. Unless you're playing very slow players, they have too much time to take a step or two back and hit an overhead...and then you're in a purely defensive position, and very hard to reset. And if you are playing slow players, that's just rude 😂. Don't need to be having a bunch of cotton-tops breaking ankles.

[@HalShoenfield-fs3bp]

If your opponents can take a step or two back and hit an overhand then your lob was not high or deep enough. I still maintain hitting a lob is easier to do/learn than a successful drop shot.

[@kawser75]

very nice training

[@playpickleball-com]

Thanks for watching