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Now we've got something to help you with your third shot strategy.
To get the most from this exercise, watch the question video and take some time to think about your answers. It's ok to struggle with it. That's how we learn.
Then watch the answer video. Make a comparison between our recommendation and what you thought was best.
Ask questions or share your thoughts in the comment section below the answer video.
HAVE FUN!
Question-From a SHORT Return
where should you hit the 3rd shot??
WATCH THIS VIDEO FIRST
You are the serving team and get a short return. Where do you hit your third shot and why?
Give yourself as much time as you need and when you are ready watch the answer video.
You'll find the answer video below
Answer-From a SHORT return
Where should you hit the 3rd shot?
For some, this was easy, for others a head-scratcher. It doesn't matter!
It's all about learning.
Share your thoughts in the comments below
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E, B, A, D, C
E A b c d
EDCBA
EDCBA
D e c b a
CDEAB
Want to keep the receiver back. C is option 1, over D, because D will be in the air longer, giving the receiver a little more time to react.
Definitely put B last. Too easy for the net player to get one.
Torn on options A and E. A is risky.. Higher net, less time for you to get to the NVZ.
I picked the same order that you did. since it was a short return, I want to hit a drive to their backhand or at their feet.
Cdeba
B to start followed by d. The others would be flukes. Chose these two so that I am ready to react
C, E, D, A, B
E, b, c. A D
E A CD
E C B D A
CDEBA
Short shots should be sent to player farthest away
D C
CDEAB
Want to keep the receiver back. C is option 1, over D, because D will be in the air longer, giving the receiver a little more time to react.
Definitely put B last. Too easy for the net player to get one.
Torn on options A and E. A is risky.. Higher net, less time for you to get to the NVZ.
Best options D, C, E respectively
Bedca
D, C, E, A, B
CEADB,
C-SET UP 5TH. DROP
E-MOVING PLAYER
A-SIMI NORMAL DROP
D-MOVING PLAYER, BUT NOT BEST
B-SET UP PUT AWAY VOLLEY
C, a
C because player us deep and moving up. A as a short 3rd shot drop
CEDAB
Dcbac. I’d try to hit the ball back to the servers feet as he transitions to the net. All of the other options would allow the server to reach the NVZ too easily.
C, ,e, d
EDBAC
Cedba
DCEAB
C D E A B
Always hit to the deep person
Then the next at her/his feet while moving to the NVZ
Drop shot to the deep person
Drop shot to the NVZ closest to the net
Last to avoid hitting deep down the middle, the person on the NVZ will be all over that ball.
This my message to hitting the third shot!
Message received and generally concurred with one note: oftentimes the NVZ player does not cover the middle. When you are playing against this player, take advantage of that middle shot. Thanks for the comment.
D C B E A
CDEBA
E,C,D.B.A
ebcda
D,C,E,A,B
DECBA
C, D, E, A , B
Hit to the opponets feet, keep them back
B last since pick off is likely
C,D
cbeda
E
E, C, D. B,A
E
A
C
B
D
These assume all right-hand players
I am excited to learn more.
E dabc
D,B
E , D
I went with a deeper C , backhand, keeping the player back. My second choice was a little sharper angle of D, to take the player wide, open up the court. E next, not preferred unless the player is slow, or you can hit it with enough pace to make it a winner. A and B are last choices and didn’t play into my strategy.
Keep the player who is in trouble in trouble. Good stuff Tim. Thanks for sharing it.
DBECA
Dcbae
E to draw the player off the court leaving the
court wide open for put away.
Hi Bill. The idea of opening angles is a good one but don’t forget the front to back position too. Positional advantage is key to the game. Thanks for joining the conversation.
E
E,C
D- return to returner coming in at feet
E – dink out wide especially if returner is slow coming in or they are left handed
C – if kept low – concerned about non returner poaching
A and B would be my least preferred shot as non returner is more ready for their next shot
Hi Mary
Exactly. Why involve the player who is eagerly waiting a shot. The other player is running and under stress. Great stuff.
Pick E if I can get to it to control the dink or short shot as it would be hard for the opponent to get to.. C if I don’t have a good position to hit E. This keeps the opponent back allowing me to get to net. It is also deep and to the backhand
C, D, B, E, A
Hi Laure
The limitation of E is letting the returner off the hook. If you can take the top of the hill and then attack your opponents from there … that is fun :).
I’d choose option D to keep the returning player back. Options A, B and E don’t keep the returning player back.
Option C would keep the player back but could easily be poached.
C E D a b
My thoughts exactly. Surprised at how many people put C near the top (or even first).
Read my mind Leon :).
I would do C because it is probably the persons backhand and its down the middle. Next, D because its in the corner and hard to return then E to bring the person up to hit it.
I agree with Gina.
Hi Gina. C is a good choice unless the non-returner is good at middle coverage. You can test it and see. No coverage, then C all day long :). Thanks for the comment.
C is my first choice: assuming that player is right-handed, it will be aimed at his/her backhand and will be a drive to keep that player back.
My 2nd choice is E: 3rd shot drop, hoping that the player won’t get up there in time or the player at the kitchen won’t be there in time.
Option B would be my third choice, trying to drive it past the player at the kitchen, forcing the back player to lunge for it with the backhand.
4th choice is D, keeping that player back, but it will likely result in another drive back to me, as it’s likely the players strong hand.
A is my last choice, as the player is already there and might dink it before we servers can get there.
C, D
D… to keep back and avoid poach. A… if up player is leaning to poach, and is right handed. C… if up player lefty. E… and B… not against good players.
E – The shot is most away from all players and has the receiving player moving up
C, D – Back to the player on the move
B
A – seems easiest to have a good angle shot for the receiving team.
E A B C D
This was super helpful! Would love to see more of this for other situations!
Agreed. This is really good stuff!
I thought C or D to keep the blue team back while yellow captures the net. Definitely not A or E
C
D
C D E B A
I would want to hit to the back hand of the server.
E #1 D #2 – C&B allow for center poach or firehand volley down the middle and A allows for small error margin as the opponent is camped there.
E or A
Attempting the 3rd shot drop….returning player is still back….I could hold him back by hitting deep, but lately the third shot is working pretty well for me
1st D (because I want to keep the returning player deep)
2nd B drive toward up player
3rd E (typical 3rd shot drop, but make the player run up to get it, maybe leading to a popup)
4th A (typical 3rd shot drop, but easier for opponent to hit)
5th C (the opponents up player can poach for a winner
A, C, E
I chose drop to backhand of r-handed player on right,
then 2nd choice deep to returner on left but to their forehand in the corner. (Goal being to keep them back). Hitting deep to the returners backhand passes more over middle which gives their partner a chance to poach. 3rd for me would be a hard low drive to the feet of returner if caught in transition zone. (goal being to force high shot to me or my partner). Am I without any good thought on these?
C
D
A
E
B
It depends
(1) If server is left-handed or right-handed. I would drive a short return for my 1st option to the feet and backhand of the serving player so Option (C) for a RH player and Option (D) for LH player.
(2) It also depends on the skills and tendencies of the opponent at the NVZ – if he/she is RH and likes to poach – I would choose Option (A).
I was thinking about the RH Poacher, also. We have a guy that absolutely ‘telegraphs’ his poaching, and already moves toward center and leans hard toward his Right. In THAT specific case, a quick Dink to his Left (A) will tie him into a knot.
Answer:
#1C because they are back and still moving; also hit probably to their BH; keep them back as much as possible
#2D because they are still moving and less likely to have good positioning; also to keep them deep
#3E good drop xcourt will be harder for blue player to get to and will have to reset soft to our side of court
#4 A good drop to receivers BH means they have to hit up and soft back to serving side
#5 B least desirable because it’s on opponents forehand and they have many options open with that shot.
1st : C
2nd: D
3rd: E
4th: A
5th: B
E first choice. B is second choice.
D,C,E,A,B
I had D, C, E to begin, but had B, A instead of A, B. I understand your explanation of the ‘why’ A over B; very helpful.
BTW – had I answered this prior to THE System, I would’ve guessed from YouTube’rs that E and A should be the 1st and 2nd choice! Mainly because there is SOOOO much ‘glory’ attached to “The 3rd Shot DROP” in YouTube videos.
Thank You for the common sense approach to the game.
I would go with C to keep one player deep or back. I would go with the shirt shots next, finally the longer shots behind the other team members, those seem lower percentage. Of course if they go in they are great, but more chance for error.
C d a b e
D & C
1st – option C : 2nd option – E ; 3rd option B ; 4th option B ; Option 5 -A .
I chose drop to backhand of r-handed player on right,
then 2nd choice deep to returner on left but to their forehand in the corner. (Goal being to keep them back). Hitting deep to the returners backhand passes more over middle which gives their partner a chance to poach. 3rd for me would be a hard low drive to the feet of returner if caught in transition zone. (goal being to force high shot to me or my partner). Am I without any good thought on these?
Love the context and the detail
My choice
E,d,c,ba
B because it will keep receiver back from no volley zone, then D because harder for receiver to return a straight body shot with the kind of distance they need, then E because receiver must run forward and change the NW trajectory of the ball and harder for them to place and control, then A, then C. Brand new to this–haven’t even played a game yet.
C drive deep to the mid court
D drive deep cross court
C, D
E d a
c b d e a
EBCDA
Good info. I switched C & D but same theory to keep play back. But good point on up player squeezing center cutting off shot to area C
E, d
C,E,D,B,A
C
D
B
E
A
C,D,B,A,E
E B
CDAEB
Seems like you changed C and D locations from question to answer.
D in the answer got close to C in the question.
But I definitely get the point.
This will improve my third shots.
Thanks
F, 3rd shot drop to servers backhand (if right-handed)
C
D
A
E
But you were the server.
ecbda
D, C, A, B, (E)
D, drive to deep players backhand, (assuming rt hand player) to stay away from a forehand poach by net player.
C or E if net player is covering a down the line drive. If the net player is covering centered, down the line drive.
B if you can hit a good topspin dive ball, can be tough. But, if it sails high, not a great option, lol
A allows deep player to move to net and is not the best option.
Lol. Let’s see how I do.
E with a dink
D with a drive at the backhand
B a drive past the defender
C a drive past the defender
A with a dink
B –
E
C –
D
A
e,d.a.c.b
D, C, E, A, B
e , a if not a left hander, b, c, d
A C D E B
Edcba
D,C,E would be my normal priorities. However, I might go drive down or drop down the line (A) if the player at the net is right handed, leaning in, and has a so so backhand.
EADBC
C-keep player back and to backhand if right handed
D- keep player back in front of my partner
B- drive straight hoping for a pop up
E- short opposite opponent struggle to get there
A- straight on
E D C B A
1. Third shot drop, gives us time to approach the net 2. Return to the feet of the opposing player that is closest to the baseline. 3. Return to the backhand of the opposing players closest to the baseline (assuming they are right handed). 4. A lob behind the player closest to the net to the backhand of the player closest to the baseline. 5. To the backhand of the player at the net, worst option.
E D C B A
1. Third shot drop, gives us time to approach the net 2. Return to the feet of the opposing player that is closest to the baseline. 3. Return to the backhand of the opposing players closest to the baseline (assuming they are right handed). 4. A lob behind the player closest to the net to the backhand of the player closest to the baseline. 5. To the backhand of the player at the net, worst option. E vs D is very dependent on skill and mobility of opposing players. In my league, I’d choose E.
Cde
My 1st choice is E
2nd choice is C
c,d, b, a, e
C,B,D,E,A
E, C, B, D, A
D: Larger target area, the shot is away from the server’s partner, and the target area is to have the return bounce in front of the server’s feet.
E: Hit the shot into the kitchen cross court so server’s partner is no a concern and the drop shot forces the opponent to hit on the ball.
A: Drop shot to the server’s partner’s backhand for right handers, avoids the server who is a beast, the net is 2 inches higher but a good drop shot is always a good option.
C: A drive through the middle is always a good shot and safer to stay back after the drive to play any volley by the opponents after their volley bounces. Nothing wrong with aiming for the player’s feet if they are transitioning to the NVZ line.
B: Hit a drive to challenge the server’s partner, just stay back and play the volley after the ball bounces like you do to your opponent’s serve or return of serve.
C to the backhand to keep him derp
E to beat him to the NVZ
D, c, e, a, b
E
B
C
D
A
D, at his feet or E short drop on the side where the guy is back
1 D
2 C
3 E
4 A
5 B
E – furthest place away from receiver at baseline and is difficult for the other player to poach
C, D – these shots keep the receiver back as well as May catch/jam receiver on the move up to NVL
B –
A – easy ball for person at the NVLto receive
CDEAB
1= C but it needs to get past the opponent at the net who might poach
2= D because a deep return at the opponent’s feet is a good option. This would be #1 if the player at the net is a good/frequent poacher.
3= E because a drop might be difficult for the returner who is moving up to the net and they might pop it up.
4= A because a good drop to the backhand side might cause the returner to pop it up
5= B. The worst option would be trying to drive it past an opponent at the net who would likely pound it back down your throat.
I totally agree with this.
E .C. D. B. A.
D, C, E, A, B
D & C – there is open space, opportunity to keep the returner back.
E & A – because I’ve decided to work on my drop shot today
B – to see if my opponent can handle a close range drive.
D,C,E,B,A
E, C, D, A, B
I would drop it… 1) E 2) A
Or drive it… 3) C 4) D
Not drive it at opponent at the NVZ 5) B
D C to backhand, E 3rd shot drop to moving player, A third shot drop to backhand, B not hitting this shot at all.
Ok, I just watched the answer and it makes perfect sense…. keep them back!!! Got it and will do that when I play on Friday! Thank you again!!! Awesome content!
C, B, A, D, E
D E
CDBAE. Drive to Bergson back/moving feet. B not as good because net player could intercept it. D drive not preferred over C as higher wish of hittingout to side. E invites returner to NVZ, A to net person already there plus also allows time for returner to move forward. Best choice is C.
E A B C D
E, B, D, A, C
E, B, D, C, A. some of the choices would depend on what hand the two players play with
E B C D A
CDBEA
D. if they are moving in, hit towards their feet. If they are able to get it, they may still be in trouble.
A. is a safe shot, that gives you time to get to the kitchen and settled so that you can hit the next shot.
E. gives you time to get to the kitchen as well, might be trouble, but should be pretty easy for the defender to get
B. a drive here might take the person at the kitchen by surprise, but probably not. that could be a kill shot for the kitchen player
C. this is definitely a poachable shot that gives the person at the kitchen lots of different angles to play, you will probably loose with this shot
Eadcb
Eadcb
I’m wrong but I’ve been playing against some great poachers….. I’m trying to hit an unpoachable ball. I’ve had dcb balls come back had and fast via the person at the nvz line
C Low to opponents backhand, also keeps opponent away from NVZ
D Targets opponent’s feet, keeps them away from NVZ
E Could be a winner if opponent is slow, also forces a low contact point
A None of the advantages of first 3 options except forcing a low contact point if well hit
B Not a good option unless I think I can overpower opponent at net
D. if they are moving in, hit towards their feet. If they are able to get it, they may still be in trouble.
A. is a safe shot, that gives you time to get to the kitchen and settled so that you can hit the next shot.
E. gives you time to get to the kitchen as well, might be trouble, but should be pretty easy for the defender to get
B. a drive here might take the person at the kitchen by surprise, but probably not. that could be a kill shot for the kitchen player
C. this is definitely a poachable shot that gives the person at the kitchen lots of different angles to play, you will probably loose with this shot
Ok, now i have watched your video, but I still think my order is better (says the 3.5 player trying to become a 4.0 🙂 you mentioned all of the reasons that I did which I love. This was really fun. I would love to watch, be engaged with this kind of content. Thank you
A
C
E
D
B
DBECA
I chose D, then C instead of B because I play against a lot of poachers.
D returning player is high probability moving forward
E aim to land ball in kitchen NVZ AS BOTH PLAYERS HAVE SOME WORK TO DO
E,
C unless player is left handed
D at player’s feet
A
B
EDCBA
Agree with you guys. What about if they hit a deep deep return
There are more variables for that question. The type of shot depends on the depth of the return, what is the returning player’s strength are they better at the drive, drop, or lob and is that strength different from the forehand or backhand? But the direction of the shot should be the same much of the time and that’s to hit it at the person who just hit the return. Even if the returner gets to the NVZ they are still just getting there when they need to hit the 4th shot and may still be moving a bit, and that could create an error. Their partner has been at the NVZ and is ready for the shot and less likely to make a mistake.
E
A
C
B
D
In all cases, I assume the players are right.handed
D-E-C-B-A
I like D better than C because it is a backhand shot. I like B better than A because the up player is in position for the drop shot but not the lob?
E, C, D (would have selected D before C if it was at the feet or landed more on the backhanded side) B, A
E,a, b, c,, d
C (backhand)… keep player back
D…same to keep player back
B drive /
A ( backhand) drop
E … Back player comes up and may drive with momentum
E,c,d,b,a
Was not able to figure out how to or where to put the answers to the abcde
Have never played before it is sounding like to much for me to work with
Thanks
Hi Marcus if you haven’t played previously make sure to register for our free beginner video class at betterpickleball.com/beginner
EBACD
E would be the best because the player on the same side of the court may not be up to the NVZ yet.
A is behind the player on the right side of the court.
cdeab
C- hit to the back hand of the deep player to keep him/her back
D- hit deep to keep player back
B- not a good choice as the other player could reach it
E- not a good choice
A- the worst choice
The C vs D option. If my opponent, who is at the kitchen line, doesn’t usually poach I will choose C. It seems to be a bit harder for them to play a good backhand shot. With a good poacher I choose D and with a really good poacher (faster) I slow the ball down a little bit to get more control and have to try to place it at D closer to the line.
1.D the player is in no man’s land keep him there
2.E the returner is not at the NVZ yet
3. A not attackable
4. B palyer at net will attack
5.C player at net will poach
D – hit to feet of opp coming in (D over C to prevent opp at net from poaching)
B – force opp at net to hit block return setting up easier 5th shot
E – should allow time to advance to net
C – too poachable for opp at net
A – difficult shot to successfully pull off
C-D-E-B-A
Brilliant tutorial! This is another great nugget I can put in my pickleball bag of tricks! So easy to understand and remember!
Thank you!
C- assuming rh receiver so to backhand at their feet
d – catch receiver running in
E – cross court drop
A- drop to backhand of NVZ player ( again assuming rh)
B – straight ahead drive – last option – not favourable as most likely forehand of rh player
c, d, e, a b. C or D whichever is the backhand side.
(1) E
(2) A
(3) D
(4) C
(5) B
C,D,E,A,B. Always hit to the player on the baseline if possible on short serve with return. Don’t invite that player to the kitchen line with a drop shot. If opponent at net is weak at volley shot, then a third shot drive(B) at them would be acceptable.
E,C,A,B,D
I think the E choice is what I would first want to do. E-B-C-A-D
Thanks
C is my first choice, I like a drive on a short return, but would be leery about the up player being able to poach.
D is my second choice but realize that this is to the forehand of a right handed player.
E would depend on how fast that player’s hands are
F would depend on how mobile that player is
A would seem to set us up for a dink return while we are in the transition zone
A or C. It depends if the returner is still moving forward or has stopped.
EABCD
Edina.
d
c
a
b
e
sorry, d and c are good. a, b, e not good. letter position messed up on first reply.
Keep your opponent back
D-C-E-B-A
I’d want to hit right back to the moving opponent trying to get in and hit deep at their feet (D). 2nd choice would be to the middle again deep shot (C). 3rd choice (E) drop short on their side of the net to make them move in from the baseline to the NVZ. (B) drive to the opponent in front of me and hope that the baseline player goes for it and get them out of position. Last option (A) drop to opponent in front of me- least option because I would just be feeding the ball to them since they are already set in position at the NVZ and I’d be giving the returner time to get up to the NVZ which I don’t want to do.
E A B C D
cdeba
D E C B A – Pro players seem to be going to more power drives and while I can dink, I feel more in charge with a hard return, preferably at the feet of the player coming up to the NV zone. A and B are to the player already at the NV, so the dink there lets player 2 advance while drive B can be intercepted.
D, C, E, A, B
D, E, A, C,B
I was thinking that the player at the net could hit a winning shot with B and C – C easier than B. That is why I thought they are worse options than A and E. With A being a worse option than E
E, B, A, C, D because the opponents are not in place to get to E in time.
(C) — Player is in transition zone so I would aim at the feet of this player and to their backhand (assumes right handed player)
(D) — Player is in transition zone and would aim at their feet. Although this is in front of the player versus to their backhand so not as good as (C)
(E) — I like to use this shot too if the player that is back is great at returning drives in transition zone but more challenged with dinking
(A) — I like this better than (B) to attempt to slow the game down and I have a chance to get up to the NVZ line.
(B) – I’d assume that the player can handle drives to their body and would just return hard back at me or my partner making it difficult to return.
edcba
Great stuff. I agree with your comment that the likelihood of the player at the NVZ poaching will influence the best shot location.
I could not complete the training. I could watch past 4:33 into the second video. Excellent stuff. Thanks.
E,B,A..DC
I couldn’t get the video to load… More than likely it’s on my end since I see all the comments.
BCD
BCD
Would hit to the player at the NVZ line.
E B A C D
C, D, E,B, A
cdeab
C D E
B – at the feet keeps players back .
C -keeping player back
D – keeps player back
E- depends on players quickness but partner could grab it
A- probably a last resort
C,D,E,A,B
C – deep (to feet) backhand side (right-hander).
D – deep (to feet), wide, but watch margin re oob.
E – force a pop-up.
B – test returner @ nvz with hard drive from transition zone.
A – allow serve team to move to nvz line.
D
C if you can avoid the risk of poach
E
Edit to first response.
Swap C (1) with D (2) – i.e. with C I’d be concerned about a poach. So I’d make D no. 1, much harder to poach. If returner at nvz is not crowding the middle I’d put C no. 2. Otherwise if poach looks likely,I’d put C at no. 5.
E C D A B
E, D, D, B, A
E c
Can’t type,,, I meant E, D, C, A, B
C,B,d,e,a
C d e a b
Agree with D but many short returns are soft and don’t bounce very high requiring you to “scoop” or at least not be able to strike a good drive. The ball may be below the top of the net.
D E A B C
I considered C to be ripe for a strong forehand from the net player squeezing the middle, so put it last, but otherwise followed the same logic as the answer.
C,D, E, B,A
C,D, E, B,A
Feet for c and d are the best shots
Cde
DCEAB is the best approach with one caveat. If my partner and I have determined after several points that the significantly weaker player who struggles with fast drives at the kitchen line is in fact the one on the return side at the kitchen line I or my partner would drive the ball at that person. We would recognize that it certainly gives the return of service player at the back a free pass to get up to the kitchen line; however, this is a risk worth taking if it is likely that the other player will pop the ball up or hit the ball out or into the net.
cdeba
at the moving player backhand
at the moving player forehand
in ffont of the moving player
past the stationary player
in front of the player already at the line
D C E B a
My choices, first to last in order would be: C,D,E,A B
Rationale: C is deep to player’s backhand and would keep server deep in court rather than at the NVZ where s/he wants to be; D is deep to keep server back, but is to her/his (likely) forehand side and a bit shorter; E is a drop to the server’s side as the server is deep and has to run up fast to dink; A is a drop to the server’s partner who is already at the NVZ and is likely prepared to dink or attack if high; B is a drive up the middle but past the server’s partner’s (likely) forehand side and the shot might be easily poached / attacked.
D, C,
DCEAB
cdeba
ecabs
E. – player not up yet
D. – if a lefty
C –
A
BCAED
Keep opponent from moving to NVZ.
Target their backhand.
Drop ball in kitchen to reset.
C.
A drop is more difficult to execute than a drive and in any event, you should drive to a player if they are back, to keep them back. In this case , assuming the returner is right handed, shot C would land at their backhand and in their feet. The shot is also down the middle so it avoids hitting it out to either side. Will have to watch for a poach though.
C
BCAED
Keep opponent from moving to NVZ.
Target their backhand.
Drop ball in kitchen to reset.
(Please delete duplication)
Player is back. Hit to backhand feet to keep back. Down the middle is good to avoid unforced error to either side.
c deba
drive back to the server as they will have less time to get to kitchen and not invite them up to kitchen line for free play
DCEAB
D C E B A
E
C
D
Cdeba
C, D, E
To the servers backhand (C or D) depending on which side he’s using
B,C,E,D,A
E, b , c,d,e depends if the players are right or left handed. Try to hit at backhand if possible.
DCBEA
I’d hit a drive at the feet of the on-coming player.
C B D A E
ECD
Mine was ECD. Makes sense depending on the mobility of the receiver and if the partner is poaching the center line to cut off your drive to the receiver’s backhand. But you’re right about keeping the receiver back close to the baseline and the ball at their feet.
E, B, D, C, A.
E could either be a dink or slam to put the ball out of reach of the player on the left.
B would be trying to keep the ball from both players.
Others are not as good.
E – dink to left kitchen away from opponent
C- between oppoonents, inbetween to connfuse them; backhand to player onn left
others sub optima.
I meant the RETURNERS backhand 🤦🏻♂️
CDEBA
C, e, d
ebcda
eb(c or d – whichever is backhand) a
CDA
Fun
DCBEA
Video’s answer’s are great, additional data may provide even more options. If the ball about to be hit bounces high enough, and you are talented enough, A drive to player on Return right directed at the “Chicken Wing” might be a great solution. Basically, you are given an attackable ball and you should take advantage of it because the other shots lead to a dinking game where you are trying to get an attackable ball. If player on Return Right is left handed, I may prefer a shot to the Return Left’s backhand and at feet because RR is less likely to poach. If the Return Right player is standing on the T of the kitchen and center line and is right handed, I may take a down the line shot if I think I have enough clearance. This is in part because he is taking a poaching position and he needs to be checked. Also, Your shot CEP has to be at an acceptable level to have a high probability of keeping it in. This player is probably a 3.5 or greater.
Great stuff Ralph. Appreciate the depth of the thought process. One of the beauties of our game is that there are different ways to approach a situation. This variability in the chessboard on which we play and how we decide to come at the game makes it a wonderful challenge and growth opportunity. Thanks for sharing your thought process.
c,e,d,a,b
C, D, B, A
Dceab
D, C, E As a lefty those would be my targets
E C D B A
edcba
C – a good drive to the middle
B – a good drive to the left side middle avoiding the netman
D – hard drive to force a weak? return
E – third shot
A – third shot
CEDBA
EBCAD
E, C, A, D, B
e,c,d,a,b
C D E A B
D if the opposing player is right left handed, C if player is right handed, E, B
C,D,E,A,B
E , C, A in this order
E b d c a
D to keep my opponent back
A or E dependent on opponents skill level
C to get to the back hand but creates an opportunity to poach
B to show off/intimidate my opponent
C
D
Excellent strategy lesson. Learned a lot from you. Definitely interested in learning more strategies. I am located in California. Do offer multi day lessons on strategies in California?
Hi Thomas we’re glad you are enjoying the strategies. Our in person events for 2023 are full. If you enjoy this style of learning we have a Pickleball System Class starting in March. They System is everything players need to reach a 4.5 level and beyond. If you are on our email list we’ll be kicking of the class with a free miniseries. Keep your eye open to get registered. In the meantime you can find some details at ThePickleballSystem.com
DCBEA
C – Easiest shot. Sends it to the backhand of the returner and keeps them at the baseline.
A – isolates the partner on his backhand, but provides an opportunity for the returner to come to the net.
D – If you get a good angle, it could be a difficult shot to return, but it is the returners forehand and will likely bring them closer to the net. Gives them too much time to set up and get a solid return.
E – Could be a hard shot for returner to get to, but brings them to the net. Would force them to hit ball on the move and hit a low percentage return.
B – Low percentage shot. Will likely get picked off by the partner.
E-further away from net, gives me more time to get to the net
B- ball behind player at the net, more difficult to return
C- hitting at back players feet makes it difficult to return
D- forces player to move and be more reactive
A- not best choice as player is already at net and has advantage over me trying to get to net
D
C
D E the rest are higher risk, I often drive the shot at the front player trying to get them to pop the ball up.
CDEBA
D,A,C,B,A
Dcbea
E A C D B
D C B E A
D – hit at the player furthest back/moving
C – risk that player at the line can poach
B – could come back fast but could also go out or pop up
E – Safer than A but just invites the player to the line. Could be OK if they are really far back and can’t make it up to the line before 2nd bounce
A – most risky as it allows both players to reach the kitchen line and if it is a high 3rd shot you’ll get smashed
A, E, C, B, D
D, E, C, A, B
C if Rec nvz player not protecting the middle and its the Receiving Players BACKHAND! – Or, D first if NVZ receiver is near or over center line of kitchen or D if left handed player BH!
D – deep to keep back and keep from poaching center or especially if left handed players BH!
B – dumb unless out of position because of unstacking or spectating to the right of server or want a fire fight because the receiver cannot block/volley and you know it
A – dumber because it gives receiver time to get to the NVZ line
E – Dumbest unless they paid you to lose, your not familiar with any strategy and just want to get the ball over so the reciever can. This allows you to help the receivers the most!
Of course i have been playing less than 5 months so?
If i can drive a shot back to recievers (RH Player) BH keeping him/her deep is optimal and allows time for the serving team to get NVZ line or close – unless receiver is clearly positioned for a poach
This all based upon your ability to execute – you may not be able to hit deep becasue your older or have shoulder issues but as long as your partner knows whats going to happen they can counter. If you are playing with somebody you dont know that should be communicated straight away.
Not everybody can do what they need to do because they dont practice their weakness’.
I dont practice as much as i should as many others and if you are just playing REC Open Play and dont want to get better than your good getting exercise – practice without purpose (like a ship that floats and drives but has no steerage – to get where they want to go) and destination can never truly reveals success and momentum to do more practice and if you want to play tournaments you need to practice with a strategy to improve weaknesses and keep strengths sharp.
I have never played anything but Open REC Play – but want to learn how to do what ben Johns, JW Johnson, ALW, Callie smith do everyday. Just because Tiger woods lets you watch him play golf (watching PPA/MLP) and allows you to use his clubs (bought a 250 dollar selkirk for example) doesnt translate to under PAR scores on your part because you have to know how to use that selkirk paddle in many different ways with different grip pressures and different strategies. I love to watch PPAand sometimes i learn more from the weaker players doing wrong things (like myself still learning) than players who do everything right. Thats because you cannot swallow the elephant (pickleball -strategies, drops, lobs, inside out, misdirects, underspin/topspin – let alone when to use efectively) all at once, helf or quarter because is all too much at once but only with little bites each time you practice or play with purpose and strategy.
Always the three pillars – i have been on the edge, tired of playing smash the ball at open play instead practicing drops, not being able to dink with confidience, (which practice with cones would help) and nobody talking about strategy or (or learning any new strategy) or feedback during play to improve.
People say – just get out there and play, you will learn. You certainly will learn the wrong strategy, receive little feedback, and ingrain very bad habits that are hard to break.
No i dont know CJ or Tony or receive any monetary compensation from anyone in the world – additionally i am a non attorney spokesman and non paid actor on the web.
My beliefs about the Pickleball Elephant nobody talks about in whole but i think i may start their system – i have been taking small bites and some were wrong and a few right from videos and watching endless PPA tournaments with results (on court ability to recognize and execute what is strategically correct) coming slowly.
may be ready to move on up
Rick we hope we’ve helped in your pickleball journey and if The System right for you we look forward to meeting you in class this March.
CDEBA
cedba
To backhand keeping gives me the most time to get to NVZ
CDEAB
I appreciate your comments and videos
C E D B A
You want to hit the 3rd shot where your opponent is is standing the farthest in the court or in the kitchen side where your opponent is the farthest.
D,C,E,A lastly B
A E D C B
E B C D A
EBDCA
EDCBA