Hit The Ball As Hard As You Safely Can

Choosing between a drop shot and a drive is not just some random 50/50 choice. I see them as a progressive thing, in other words as you learn the game your focus should be on mastering the drop shot. Obviously you will experiment with some drive shots along the way, but by the time you reach 4.0 or so your drop shots should be getting pretty reliable from anywhere on the court. You can then get serious about your drives, learning how to pick good opportunities and developing control, power, and accuracy.

And yes, I know that reality says most people rush into drives at the 3.5 level and wind up being 4.0 bangers with little drop shot consistency. Oh well, I tried.

Before you hit a drive shot, the most important thing you can do is to get your body into a good stroke position. If you are not in a good position to take the shot, then there is not much chance of it being an effective shot. If you need to take an extended reach for the ball, it is not a good choice for a drive. If the ball is below your knees, it is not likely a good choice. If your shot is going to take you out of position, then it is not likely a good choice. In all of these cases, you are much better off to hit a drop shot.

If you are "almost" in a good position, then a drive may still be appropriate, but perhaps the speed should be reduced from maximum to something "safe" that allows you to maintain control and accuracy. In these cases, I will hit the ball as hard as I safely can.

I focus on control, where putting the ball where I want is most important. If you have someone pinned at the back of their court, you may have to hit more than one "firm" shot to keep them back. Eventually they will give you what you want and you can drive it hard for a winner.

So, be safe out there!

Michael Gauthier
Rally Academy
Pickleball Strokes
NDY (Not Done Yet)