I recently joined a traveling pickleball league with LifeTime Fitness. While I enjoy Open Play, the traveling pickleball league allows me to focus on strategy with a specific partner. However, after a few matches, my partner and I realized we needed clear plans. When losing points, we would say, "We need to play our pickleball game." But what exactly was our game?
That's when our coach, Katie Easter, comes in. She's the Head Pickleball Pro at Lifetime Bloomington North and an incredibly talented and positive teacher. We set up a lesson focusing on how to win more points!
Understanding the significance of the third in pickleball, we decided to focus on these crucial moments. The third shot, following the serve was our key for improvement. We were familiar with the Pickleball mantra of the third shot drop, but executing it was a different story. We often found ourselves popping up the ball, inadvertently setting up the other team for a smash.
-Terrie Rose, Saltie Rose Designer and Founder
Continue reading below for Pickleball Pro-Tips!
Pickleball Pro-Tip from Katie Easter
You are on the serving team, waiting at the baseline for the return of serve to come back to your side. What third shot would you choose, a DROP or DRIVE?
- If the return is a flat, high bouncing ball... Drive.
- If the return is deep and low... Drop.
Just like a dink, we can determine our third shot selection by how attackable the ball is.
Putting this lesson into practice, we have a game plan for the third shot. I can watch the height of the service return and know the response. This allows us to anticipate each other's moves and plan a couple of shots ahead. With a successful drop, we head to the kitchen. A drive sets up for a 5th shot drop. And, if unsuccessful, we reset and try again.
—Katie Easter
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