Third Shot Drop

Third Shot Drop Blog

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. 

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?

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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. 

August 21 2019
Third Shot Drop
A Pickleball Player is Only as Good as their Pickleball Paddle

Try saying that title ten times fast and let us know how it turns out for you! While it is not quite, “Sally sells seashells down by the sea shore,” it is true to say that a pickleball player is only as good as their pickleball paddle. We are witnessing a season of explosive growth in pickleball with both young and old participants. Appropriately, the free market has responded with an explosive growth in the type of technology and quality of production in pickleball paddles. Meaning, the next time you go up against a pickleball foe, he or she might be wielding a paddle that outclasses what you’ve brought to the table. So you’re the type of pickleball player who hates to lose, let’s take a look at some of the most advanced pickleball paddles we’ve brought to the market to date.

July 31 2019
Kris M. Smith
MIX IT UP!

As a relatively new pickleball player—I've been playing three days a week since October 2018— I've discovered a couple techniques that are working for me that too few other players have even tried, so I want to share them here.

June 03 2019
Ashley Roberts
Roll it Out!!

Dozens of studies have linked foam rolling with improved range of motion, flexibility, and mobility as well as reduced soreness. Done before a workout, it can act like a dynamic warmup — increasing circulation, loosening tight spots, and priming your body to move. After a workout, it can act like a sports massage — reducing muscular tension and flushing out toxins to help recovery.

May 15 2019
Third Shot Drop
Weight - what you don’t know can hurt your game but not as much as what you think you know

Weight seems to be a hot point with a lot of players - with many misconceptions. I can’t tell you how many times the first thing that comes out a player’s mouth is “What’s your lightest paddle?” Many pickleball players believe a light paddle is optimal - for their elbow, for their shoulder and for their reaction and performance. This is patently untrue for many reasons grounded in science, physics, logic and experience.

April 29 2019
Ashley Roberts
Joint Health with Pickleball

Pickleball can be a great way to get your heart rate up and your body moving. It combines running, jumping, extension and coordination, but unfortunately subjecting our joints to daily wear and tear can lead to injures. It’s imperative that pickleball players pay close attention to the care and protection of their joints.

April 01 2019
Ryan Trefry
Do you practice (rec) like you play (tourney)?

I think most pickleball players do NOT play recreational games the same way they play in tournaments. Yes, you are out there playing rec. games with your friends on a social level. The only problem is you might be learning bad habits when you are only giving 50-75% during practice.

March 25 2019
Ashley Roberts
Drill Baby, Drill!!

Want to become a better pickleball player? You have to be willing to expose your weaknesses rather than trying to hide them. To strengthen those weakness you need to repetitively practice them until they become strengths. Here are some of our favorite drills you can do on a weekly basis. We are sure that your game will improve by putting in the work. 

March 18 2019
Ryan Trefry
Is practicing (drilling) part of your tournament preparation?

I think most pickleball players will answer the question with a “No”. In my experience playing pickleball socially and competitively, I have seen that most players “play” more than they “practice”. Is it a pickleball thing? Maybe….. Probably…..

March 11 2019
Pat Carroll
PAT’S PICKLOSOPHY TIP #4 "THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINNERS AND “OTHERS” IS IN HOW YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR MATCH"

THE SEVEN “P’s” FOR SUCCESS

Many competitive players enter the court for their match with little or no thought to conditions of the weather, courts, and type of ball. IF CONDITIONS ARE NOT IDEAL, LOSERS COMPLAIN AND WINNERS ADJUST!