9 Simple Rules to Drop and Drive Like the Pros

Getting to the kitchen is by far the most important ability in pickleball, but there isn't one single best way to do it. So through trial and error, I've put together 9 rules that I use as a starting point that has helped me get to the kitchen way more often than I did before. If you follow these 9 rules, you'll get to the kitchen more often than 99% of players.
The data from this video is provided by pklmart.com/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAIN WITH ME
Transform your third shot drops in 30 days
pages.pickleburner.com/
Weekly pickleball insights for tournament players (Inner Circle)
tinyurl.com/m7m3vr58
Film review and swap pickleball secrets with the community in discord
/ discord
Get 1-on-1 video coaching
calendly.com/pickleburner/1-on-1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MY GEAR
LABS 002 PADDLE - www.selkirklabs.com/products/...
PRO BAG - www.selkirk.com/collections/b...
LEGENDS SHIRT - www.selkirk.com/collections/g...
LEGENDS SHORTS - www.selkirk.com/collections/g...
LEAD TAPE - www.selkirk.com/collections/a...
BALLS (DURA) - amzn.to/3FApyOv
BALLS (FRANKLIN) - amzn.to/3tQ4Jfi
OVERGRIP - amzn.to/49lBtNY

[@PickleballJoy]

Seems like the more videos of Tony's I watch ... the more I need to watch them repeatedly. LOADED with good tips! Keep it up, man! (And thank you!)

[@frank88ster]

I think you got it when you said 1) Hit a deeper serve 2) Hit a deeper return (off a serve). Without that advantage, you are left thinking of other ways to get to nvz but with a deeper return, you are 70% of moving to nvz early on. So practice your big, long serves, your long returns and then 'low long drops '/ less chance of an attack.

[@thatpickleballguy]

You make good videos man!

[@pickleburner]

🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 thank you bro you're the goat i send everybody to your channel

[@CharlesBrodheadIII]

I'm really loving the density and comprehensiveness of your content. You're videos are excellent at isolating one topic at a time while still providing rich context (e.g. what you tried, what did and didn't work, and then how you adapted your strategy to cope with taller/fastest/etc opponents).

[@cartersouthern2055]

The absolute best content anyone looking to up their game can find. Shout out Burner

[@pickleburner]

ilu

[@bobbyennis]

You always have fantastic content. Keep it up. I've been sharing your videos, and if you are ever in Dallas and want to play reach out to me!

[@stacysmeader6228]

Good video. You are presenting the points that an intermediate or advanced player is looking for. ie longer and not higher. Excellent stuff,

[@RealPickleballHighlights]

Man what I would do to have this guy be a personal coach

[@diyak2182]

Always love your in depth breakdowns, thanks so much for another really helpful video! :)

[@redequal7457]

This video in informative and easy to understand. Good job.

[@bl4ckmamba24]

Great content as always. And nice drip too

[@pharm30]

Great video thanks

[@liz-sy2lj]

Good video, but please define “a little bit shorter and a little bit higher.”

[@michelledelaney4271]

My favorite nugget: miss long and low rather than high and perfect length

[@Peaceseeker917]

Thank you. Which paddle do you recommend for power? I like heavy paddles.

[@pickleburner]

I'd just try a bunch. It's a personal choice. And I'd use lead tape to get it to the weight you like.

[@Peaceseeker917]

The lead tape is a good idea but don't you think if the lead weight was centered inside the paddle? I fee like the lead tape isn't in the best location due to being only outside of the edge rim. rather, if we could incorporate it insde around the -sweet spot- what's your thoughts?@@pickleburner

[@md_22164]

This is a great video but I would add that the 5th shot drive can be used on occasion, especially against players who have a tendency to pop up against pace. This is especially true for mixed doubles play, although not against elite female players.

[@pickleburner]

definitely - all rules are made to broken!

[@afterthesmash]

The ball I struggle with the most is when my 5th shot is sitting high and a bit short. I think I ought to be able to attack this ball, but it's shocking how often my drive is blocked and then also shocking how difficult it is to make another good shot after a short missile is successfully blocked. I probably should be using a nerfed volley roll to the same target where I would normally drop, but I don't yet have a reliable off-pace volley roll.

[@kevincafaro8846]

I'm wondering if i stay back to much, because my partner, who doesn't live by this theory of getting to the Kitchen asap, If i should cheat more to get to the kitchen.

[@heavenlypickler]

What is your name, please? Thank you.

[@Riker-ER]

Good info but talking so fast is unnerving for me 🤔

[@orlandos145]

When should your partner move up?

[@gg80108]

Seems like everyone is on the "big serve" advice. Except the most top payers, just get it in. Someone with the same skill level as you will always get back your fireball serve. Saw at the nationals in pro the lob serve being used.

[@wills00000]

It's about getting a short or weak return. 3rd shots are much easier off a weak return.

[@gg80108]

@@wills00000 a lobby or sidespin backspin also cause a weak return. As long as your serve is deep it's good. You will get pinned more often behind the baseline if your fast serve is right in returner wheel house. What you are seeing in the pros is a lot of 3rd shot drives since the serve did not do anything.

[@md_22164]

@@gg80108 fair point but whether slice, flat or topspin it's important to put maximum pressure on the opponent rather than just getting the ball back in play. You adjust based on your opponents weaknesses and there are some players who love to return harder serves but they are in the small minority. That's why there's so many complaints about potentially illegal serves from guys like Dekel Bar

[@steveschwind4060]

I don’t know if you really get to all of these comments. I like the information that you provide but that cut up sentences are intolerable so I might not be watching anymore of your videos. Sorry but it’s just distracting. It takes away from really good information.

[@frankfurter7260]

Horrific editing. The jump cuts are annoying AF.

[@annmaes7550]

Love all your vids! You put so much info its like watching 4 vids! I appreciate all your hard work. Its so helpful! 🫶

[@Mobev1]

As a white man I realize I’m at an advantage because of my power, skill, IQ and eyesight. Having blue eyes really helps me see the hand angles of my opponent. Having blonde hair helps me reflect the light down and into my dinks and drops, having back straps help with my power and having ladies cheering for me and watching my calves perform the pushes instills confidence into my soul. What I now realize is that it isn’t really in my best interest to be playing pickleball other than for cardio because I’m worth 22 million and 3 million a year and I should use my gifts for what I do best…investing.