Pickleball! How Important is the 4th Shot? Learn from Watching Others!

In this video, a look at the importance of the fourth shot. It could be a game winner. Check it out!

[@vana2292]

Just found your channel. Absolutely love your analysis!

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you watching.

[@weplayyouratepickleball7498]

Hi Rory! Thanks again for breaking down on of our games. I want to put it out there that Mary is one hell of a player that is not to be trifled with. She may have been a bit off today. Maybe you can review game 3 from 3-24-23 (it comes out on the 31st on my channel). It's a good one!

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

You are welcome. She did a very good job of hanging with the men. You might want to ask her why she doesn't hit her returns deeper. Like I mentioned it's a very easy fix. I'm sure she beats most of the women she plays against.

[@weplayyouratepickleball7498]

@Pickleball Pick-Apart for sure, it is a good observation. It's the first time we've gotten Mary on video and it's hard to realize during the game. We're all trying to get better and the videos are a big part. Thanks again

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

@@weplayyouratepickleball7498 Yes. When players record themselves then watch it back, most are shocked at aspects of their play. Most of the time, it's how out of position they are. It's a great way to see for yourself the mistakes you are making.

[@VoorheesFamily]

Love this...thank you so much for breaking this down

[@VoorheesFamily]

How do we send you a video?

[@VoorheesFamily]

How do we send you a video?

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@devencalhoun1851]

Thank you these are much appreciated

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@PickleballJoy]

I'd like to see a better game where there are actually more than a handful of points which make it to the 4th shot. Interesting idea to explore the 4th, Rory.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

That's probably a good idea. I'll see if I can find one.

[@iKumala]

@@pickleballpick-apart9787 I think a better idea the --Rory Sports Pickleball Network. RSPN.

[@Vanessa-pe2xs]

Like Mary , I'm terrible with deep returns, Im bad at drops as well. It helps to see how much these two things affect the game. Do you do any pick a parts by request? I would love to record one of my matches for you to pick-a-part and rate me. Thanks!!!!

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I'd be happy to. I guess you'll have to post it on KZbin and send me a link. Thanks for watching.

[@ftbutler]

Rory - looking at Mary’s serve, is it legal? Seems to be made above her waist. What do you think?

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

It's one of those serves that is a very close call. It may very well be. But, the other team didn't call it. Thanks for watching and pointing that out.

[@ftbutler]

Certainly and I love your commentary and insights. Watching this absolutely makes me a better player mentally

[@benjaminhenderson4472]

IMO I think the idea of a third shot drop isn’t qualified rather the ball bounces within the kitchen. In dealing with a deep return a drop into the kitchen can often lead to a high bounce, so keeping that ball low and soft would be ideal.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Sometimes the third shot drop does bounce too high. It happens to me when I think I have hit a perfect one. Thanks for watching.

[@brandonbrenchley4399]

And a drop shot is still effective even if it doesn’t bounce as long as they’re hitting it below the net level

[@MaximumLagGolf]

I agree. I think a 3rd shot can be effective a bit past the kitchen line if the opponent has to hit up and without much power. If I'm able to advance forward and they can't do much with the ball then I'm satisfied with the shot.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

@@brandonbrenchley4399 I probably hit dropshots 80% of the time. The other 20%, drives. Thanks for watching.

[@godgunsandgoldens]

@@MaximumLagGolf I was going to say the same thing. If your opponent is forced to roll the ball you should be able to volley or reset off the bounce without too much trouble. I don’t see too many perfect third ball drops even at the professional level. Not much room to work with.

[@ataglance60]

Ben John said, if you want to be better. No man’s land should intimidate you. You can reset from there.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

It can be done. Thanks.

[@gregcahill904]

wHAT IS THERE RATING HERE?

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

There was no rating in the video. I rated them at the end. Check what my ratings are. Thanks for watching.

[@briankillian5248]

"their".... just saying.

[@CWK090]

Rory, On this and on many of your videos, you say a third shot is not successful if it doesn't actually land (aka "bounce") in the kitchen. I disagree that a successful third shot has to bounce. At about 1:32, you see Mike's third shot is clearly not attackable. Mary is only able to reach the ball as it drops below the net, forcing her to hit up on the ball. You see Mike's partner advance to the transition zone and his feet are set. Mike is still way back when he hits ball # 9. The whole point in hitting a drop or reset, when you're back, is to give yourself time to move forward. Mary is not able to attack Mike's repeated drops so why does he stay so far back? Mike's partner is not able to advance because Mike is staying back. I can see staying back only if your attempted drop is in your opponent's put-away zone.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for pointing that out. I guess I see a third shot being totally successful is when a player can move all the way up to the nvz. I do understand that if it's taken out of the air to do a split step midcourt and then try to hit the fifth shot into the kitchen. Again, thanks for your explanation.

[@CWK090]

@@pickleballpick-apart9787 I absolutely agree a drop, that is completely out of your opponent's reach, bounces and allows you and your partner more time to advance to the NVZ line. By the same token, waiting for the bounce also gives your opponent more time to analyze your court positions and decide where to place the ball next. I agree the out of reach drop is ideal but has a narrow margin with the net. It is tough to do with a high percentage of success from near the baseline. In my game, I really need to work on not trying to hit a drop when I can barely reach it. Sometimes it's better to step back and let it bounce. The best piece of advice I received from a pickleball coach playing as my partner was "Breathe, relax. Stop trying to win the rally with every shot." Rory, I enjoy your videos. It causes me to really think about my game and even the most basic pickleball fundamentals.

[@chazsteadman5020]

"that shouldn't almost never happen"?...

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Oh well. Thanks for watching.