Lesson of the Month

July 2024

Drills to Dink with Purpose

This month we try our first Lesson of the month brought to you on video. Follow this link https://youtu.be/pT_sEGxawdE to get to July's lesson of the month. The lesson focuses on two drills to help players dink with purpose. The lesson is brought to us by David Eversole, PPR Certified Coach with help from his playing partner Lesa Haynes.

June 2024

Third Shot Drop Drill

As a former College baseball Coach and MLB envoy I was looking for something to be competitive at again. While working for the City I was introduced to Pickleball at Lynn View Community Center. Transitioning from baseball to pickleball has been smooth and easy due to the transferable skills and athletic qualities both sports share. As a baseball player, I developed strong hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes, and strategic thinking, all of which are crucial in pickleball. The familiarity with striking a ball with precision and power, akin to batting, made learning pickleball's paddle techniques intuitive. Additionally, the agility and footwork honed from fielding grounders and chasing fly balls translated well to the fast-paced, lateral movements on the pickleball court. This foundation in baseball not only facilitated a swift adaptation to pickleball but also gave me a competitive edge in mastering the game's intricacies.

One pickleball drill that significantly helped me improve from a 4.0 to a 4.5 rated player is the "Third Shot Drop" drill. This drill focuses on mastering the critical third shot, which sets the tone for the rest of the rally. By repeatedly practicing the third shot drop, I learned to consistently place the ball softly into the kitchen, neutralizing aggressive opponents and gaining control of the point. The drill involved a partner feeding me deep shots, simulating a game scenario, and requiring me to execute precise drops. Over time, this repetitive practice enhanced my touch, accuracy, and decision-making under pressure, elevating my overall gameplay and helping me reach the 4.5 rating.

                                                                  Kenny Lawson, Kingsport Parks & Rec

May 2024

The Question, Part II

Again, with all due respect to Shakespeare, for our purposes, “the” question is not “to be, or not to be”, but instead, “to drop or to drive” the third shot. 

This month’s lesson is the second of two dealing with this burning question and I hope you find it helpful, meaningful, and enlightening to your pickleball life.

For years, there was not much debate to this question. We were all taught and expected to play a drop on our third shot. It seems as pickleball attracts more young people and many former high-level tennis players, we are seeing more variety in the type and style of shots and when they can be chosen. It is now acceptable and even advantageous to sometimes choose a drive for your third shot. Let’s discuss when and why to play a drive on your third shot.

One of the main reasons to play a drive is if you believe you and your partner benefit from a ‘harder’ or ‘faster’ game. Often the third shot sets the tone for the rest of the rally. When you are making the third shot, you have probably the best opportunity to set the tone.

Another reason to play a drive is when one (or both) of your opponents remain at the baseline or in the transition zone. If they are not fully at the Non-Volley Zone line, you and your partner may have an opportunity to take advantage of a vulnerability and you should try to capitalize on it. Any shot from further back in the court is more difficult, plus if you and your partner can seize the Non-Volley Zone (be the first ones to the line), your chances of winning the rally go up significantly.

The final reason we’ll discuss to play a drive is when the return of serve is short. If you or your partner have to run forward to hit the third shot it may be a good opportunity to speed up the rally and go for an aggressive shot. Again, this is putting your opponents on the defensive and taking advantage of a weak return of serve. This is not always the best shot, but it can be very effective.

I hope these points on drop and drive have been helpful to you. It takes practice and developing a feel for what works best. Give both shots a try!

                                                                   David Eversole, PPR

April 2024

The Question

With all due respect to Shakespeare (though I doubt he was much of a pickleball player), for our purposes, “the” question is not “to be, or not to be”, but instead, “to drop or to drive” the third shot.

This month’s lesson is the first of two dealing with this burning question and I hope you find it helpful, meaningful, and enlightening to your pickleball life. For years, there was not much debate to this question. We were all taught and expected to play a drop on our third shot. It was just how pickleball was played. After all you didn’t want to be labeled a ‘banger’! Now the game is evolving and there are some times when a drive on the third shot is a better play. We will deal with those next month. So, let’s start with when and why to play a drop on your third shot.

One of the main reasons to play a drop is if you believe you and your partner benefit from a ‘softer’ game. Often the third shot sets the tone for the rest of the rally. When you are making the third shot, you have probably the best opportunity to set the tone. It is often more difficult later in the rally to play an effective soft reset that is not attackable for your opponent.

Another reason to play a drop on your third (or any subsequent shot) is to ‘buy time’ and get to the Non-Volley Zone line. If you are hitting the third shot, that means your team served, your opponents have the advantage and have likely already taken their places at the Non-Volley Zone line. To have the best chance to win the rally, you and your partner need to be at the Non-Volley Zone line as well. The best way to get there is with a drop in front of your opponents. In fact, it may take more than one drop shot for you and your partner to make it all the way in to the Non-Volley Zone Line, and that is fine. Be patient!

The final reason we’ll discuss to play a drop is that it is a higher percentage shot to prolong the rally (assuming you have practiced). If your opponents are in their place of advantage at the Non-Volley Zone line, their arms almost cover the whole width of the court. Even if you hit your very best drive, the chances of you hitting a successful passing shot by or between them is pretty small. Make the percentage play, prolong the rally, be patient, and play the drop.

Come back next month and we’ll talk about the times when it is good to go for a drive on your third shot.

                                                                   David Eversole, PPR

March 2024

The Drop Serve

To drop or not to drop that is the question?  If you decide to use the drop serve, here are some keys to success:

The Drop Serve is just what the name says.  It is a serve where you DROP (not toss or throw the ball down) the ball and let it bounce on the court before hitting it. 

Very, very, important: On the Drop Serve, make sure you  release the ball from your hand and  do NOT toss it.

 Key points to know:

1. You can hit your Drop Serve with a forehand or backhand and don't have to worry about any of the Volley Serve rules.  In other words, anything goes with how you hit the ball after it bounces. .

2. Once you drop the ball, you can let it bounce as many times as you want before you hit it.  

3. You can pick up the ball and re-drop it if you choose.  Just make sure you get your serve going within the 10 seconds after the score has been called.  The clock does not restart if you pick up the ball. 

4. You can drop the ball inside or outside the baseline.  If inside, be sure you do not step on or over the baseline before you make contact with the ball. 

5. You may drop the ball from any height.
   
   And keep in mind that all the rules for your feet apply the same to the Drop Serve as they do to the Volley Serve.
   4.A.4.a. At least one foot must be on the playing surface behind the baseline.
   4.A.4.b. Neither of the server’s feet may touch the court on or inside the baseline.
   4.A.4.c. Neither of the server’s feet may touch the playing surface outside the imaginary extension of the sideline or the imaginary extension of the centerline.

                           Anna Walters, PPR

February 2024

Keep It Deep

In my experience, playing any doubles matches, if you keep the serve, as well as the return, deep in the court, it can be a great first offensive move.

Returning deep allows your partner to move freely to poach and will limit your opponent's ability to fire a ball back. It can also allow you to move forward faster in most cases.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, short returns allow the serving team to beat you in, and or attack your partner, since they are standing at the net, helpless!

Remember the serving team has to let it bounce first.

Serving the ball deep in the court does not allow your opponent time to attack, and many times presents you with a short return. Thus, putting you in the offensive position. 

Remember practice won't make you perfect, but it will make you more consistent!  

                                                                Melinda Tate, RDH, CPI, PPR, USPTA

                                                                 And I Approve This Message  

January 2024

Hold on Loosely

Yes, you are in the right place for a quick lesson on pickleball. You are not in the 1980’s hit songs discussion forum, if there even is such a thing. But who knew all those years ago when 38 Special gave us this sage advice, that they were actually referring to how to hold your pickleball paddle?

This is one of the most common tips I give to beginners and even those who have played longer: don’t hold your paddle with a ‘death grip’! Not only is this uncomfortable, but it builds tension throughout your arm and body. You don’t benefit from this extra tension in any way.

If you think of your grip pressure on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being barely holding on and 5 being the dreaded ‘death grip’, the recommended grip pressure is about 2! Surprised? Yes, holding loosely really gives you the best control of your paddle and allows you to have the best ‘touch’ on your shots. What I mean by ‘touch’ is going immediately from a hard to soft to firm shot without a change in grip or pressure. This loose grip also relaxes your hand and arm, allowing you to play longer without fatigue.

Next time you are on the court, remember your 38 Special from 1981 and ‘Hold on Loosely’!

                                         David Eversole, PPR