Third Shot Drop

Third Shot Drop Blog

March 13 2023

One More Step

Ok, I whiffed on an overhead…again.

I finally made it to the court this week for the first time in...*checks calendar*...way too long. Let me tell ya, pickleball rust is a real thing. Reaction time decays and the feel for drops and resets suffers.

March 06 2023

Tommy Tomahawk

Class please say 'Hello' to Tommy. Tommy say 'Hello' to the class. Tommy Tomahawk may be the new kid in pickleball but according to Zane Navratil, the Tomahawk is not going anywhere.

February 23 2023

Drops and Drives: Not so Different After All

Most pickleball players and coaches tend to think of third shot drops and third shot drives as very different techniques — almost opposites — from one another.

February 17 2023

Ways to Conquer the Soft Game

The most frustrating players to play against are the ones who beat you in the soft game. Here are some great tips to make sure you come out on top when the game slows down.

February 10 2023

Drop and Drive in the Same Point

Time to choose: third shot drive or third shot drop?

Either answer works. You're both right. What you need to remember is: just because you chose one or the other, you're not stuck with that decision.

February 03 2023

Which grip are you using?

Pickleball/tennis grip names are the worst. Continental, Eastern, Semi-Western...are we holding a paddle, or joining Magellan's next expedition?

January 30 2023

How to handle the drop shot

You and your partner are back by the baseline. Your opponents get cheeky and sprinkle a drop shot in the kitchen.

The alarms go off and you sprint for the dropper. You make it to the descending ball just in the nick of time.

January 24 2023

A Favorite Target for Third Shot Drops

Where do you hit your third shot drop? Middle? Sideline? Or do you just close your eyes and hope for the best? Many top players recommend targeting the backhand of the left-side player.

A Pro Secret to a Better Backhand Flick
January 11 2023

A Pro Secret to a Better Backhand Flick

The backhand flick is a shot that separates the men/women from the boys/girls on the pickleball court. The flick is a backhand roll shot that is used to attack an opponent. It is typically deployed as a speedup volley during a dink battle.


Your Goal is More Efficient Pickleball
January 06 2023

Your Goal is More Efficient Pickleball

Ready, React, Execute, Improve. These four steps apply to every shot on the court. Each is made easier by properly carrying out the preceding step.  Ready, React, Execute, Improve. These four steps apply to every shot on the court. Each is made easier by properly carrying out the preceding step. Ready - Ready position is the first step in this journey. You should be balanced, feet shoulder width apart, paddle up. This is known as a neutral body position. React - While your opponent is executing their shot, it's time to react. 

Shorten That Backswing
December 17 2022

Shorten That Backswing

Newton's Second Law: the acceleration of an object depends on the mass of the object and the amount of force applied. It's important to keep this top of mind when switching from tennis to pickleball. A pickleball is less than half the mass of a tennis ball. According to Sir Issac, that means half the force is required to accelerate the ball to the same speed. So why are you winding up like you're Rafa Nadal on your forehand drive?

Tennis Elbow
November 29 2022

Tennis Elbow

What is tennis elbow?

Lateral epicondylitis—aka tennis elbow—occurs when the tendons adjoined to the outer part of the elbow become inflamed. Tendons are the strong connective tissues that connect muscles to bones. Tennis elbow specifically has to do with the tendons of the extensor muscles in the forearm (the muscles that pull the wrist back and extend the fingers). These muscles connect to the outer boney protrusion of the humerus (the arm bone) at the elbow.

Variety is the Spice of Life
November 23 2022

Variety is the Spice of Life

Not everyone can pack the same power into a serve as some players. But what almost everyone can do is mix it up.

Great baseball pitchers don’t last long throwing straight fastballs. It is the variety of pitches and command of the strike zone that sets them apart. Is there a pickleball equivalent? Yes!!

Shoe Lacing Techniques Can Alleviate Many Common Foot Problems
December 21 2021
Karen Thomas

Shoe Lacing Techniques Can Alleviate Many Common Foot Problems

Do you experience foot pain during or after playing pickleball? If so you are certainly not alone. It’s not uncommon for many people, especially when doing a lot of running, to experience a variety of foot issues. Sometimes people assume they have an ill-fitting shoe when in fact simply lacing the shoe in a different way can alleviate the discomfort. The illustration and following explanations below shows lacing techniques for addressing five of the most common foot types and issues. Experimenting with these might help you turn a pair of shoes you thought did not fit quite right into your new favorite pair.

The Awesome Benefits of Custom Pickleball Paddles
June 01 2021
Third Shot Drop

The Awesome Benefits of Custom Pickleball Paddles

Springtime is upon us, which means only one thing — it’s time to shout “Pickle!” and give your buddies the most epic ace serve they’ve ever seen! But if you’re going to do that, you’ll need the right tool for the job; meaning a pickleball paddle that matches your.

Picking the Right Paddle Core for the Pickleball Win
October 20 2019
Third Shot Drop

Picking the Right Paddle Core for the Pickleball Win

With over 15,000 pickleball courts throughout the nation, it is safe to say that pickleball is here to stay. Invented in 1965 by a few dads trying to spice up their kid’s summer activities, pickleball is relatively new to the sports scene. Yet, it’s popularity is skyrocketing, in part, because persons of all ages and abilities can play. From the energetic schoolkid to the slightly slower moving senior citizen, pickleball has something to offer everyone. As with any sport rising in popularity, the technology to support the sport has come a long way over the past 5 decades.