high, or drives that opponents can attack may cost points or your chance to score points. If your team’ s drives are risky, stay back and wait for a better setup, often looking for a short, attackable ball or a ball that you can more easily get to drop.
Remember: You can only win points on your serve, so constructing opportunities is critical.
The team at the net generally has a better chance to win the point— they get to hit down, attack at opponents’ feet, use angles, and apply heavy topspin. The serving team must either expose weaknesses with drives or execute drops that stay below net height, allowing them to advance.
WHEN TO DRIVE
A drive is a tool to pressure opponents and create offensive opportunities. Drives work best when:
• The returning player is not moving up to the kitchen fast enough, and you can target below the knees or make them stretch for a ball.
• An opponent cannot handle the drive.
• You can consistently get the ball to dip and stay low over the net.
• The return is short, high, or sitting up.
• You can step forward with balance and control.
• Your opponents are stacking or shifting positions, and you can catch them off guard.
• You see a chance to pressure their transition or force an awkward volley.
• You play with a partner who can capitalize on a setup ball, such as someone skilled in poaching and finishing attacks.
• If a deep ball prevents a good drop, a drive can create a more manageable ball to drop and advance.
Keys to a successful drive: Keep it low, add power when possible, and target open spaces, hips, or paddle side. Be ready for your next shot— most drives are setup balls rather than winners.
WHEN TO DROP
The drop is the primary tool for advancing toward the net while neutralizing the opponents’ early advantage. Drops work best when:
• The ball has bounced, peaked, and is starting to descend.
• You are comfortably behind the ball, balanced, and ready to move forward immediately after hitting.
• You can hit the ball waist height or lower, ideally at your opponent’ s feet.
• The ball is short and low to the ground, making it hard to drive.
Keys to a successful drop: Aim for an arc peaking on your side of the kitchen so that it lands in your opponents’ kitchen and stays low, keep your grip soft, don’ t take much if any backswing, and follow through toward your target. Advance behind it with your partner to be ready for the next shot.
HYBRID OPTION— THE“ DRIP”
Between a drive and a drop lies the hybrid shot, often called the drip. This controlled, topspin-loaded shot starts firm but dips quickly, applying pressure without committing fully to a drive. Think of it as a very soft drive with the trajectory of a drop— it forces upward contact while remaining consistent.
The drip is a monster shot— like Frankenstein— half drop, half drive. Pros use it constantly, and it should absolutely be added to your arsenal. It’ s especially effective when your opponents are slow getting up to the kitchen line, but it can also work when they’ re already at the net if you’ re skilled at getting the ball to dip low, forcing them to hit upward.
The drip is truly a blend: Use a firmer, more stable arm with less whip than a full drive and focus on“ pushing over” the ball. Your paddle moves from low to high at roughly 50 % power, adding controlled topspin that helps the ball arc over the net and dive at the opponent’ s feet.
HOW TO ADVANCE AS A TEAM USING DRIVES
Before hitting a drive, recognize whether your opponents are out of position or if you and your partner have attacked weaknesses. Step forward if your team’ s drive is low or the setup is favorable. If the drive is high or your opponents can handle it, maintain balance and be ready for a low, hard shot back. If the opponent hits your drive back high and hard, it is likely going out.
Good drives often produce a shorter, easier ball for a subsequent drop, so anticipate and position yourself to advance.
A good drive should trigger coordinated movement, with both players looking to move forward immediately— ready to intercept anything high and soft, or ready to drop a shorter / lower ball and continue to advance. Think of drives as“ pressure pushes.” Each low drive puts opponents in survival mode, producing
SEE NEXT PAGE �
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2025 | MAGAZINE 21