• Arc high enough to clear the net but avoid easy attacks.
• Move forward after contact, staying balanced.
• Practice from different depths to adjust distance and trajectory.
Drill: Serve-Return-Drop Combo – Player A serves, Player B returns, Player A hits a drop. Rotate roles, progress to half-court points.
4. THE DRIVE: SMART, TARGETED AGGRESSION
A drive is more than hitting hard— it’ s about pressure, precision, and point construction. Drives force weak returns and open opportunities for follow-up shots.
• Choose balls in your strike zone, slightly out in front.
• Avoid overreaching or swinging low.
• Prepare early; swing with forward weight transfer and smooth follow-through.
• Target an opponent’ s feet, body, or backhand.
• Drive down the middle to confuse doubles partners.
• Drives can lead to a fifth shot drop or force weak returns.
Drill: Drive-Drop Decision – Feed balls from the kitchen; decide mid-flight to drive or drop.
5. THE DINK: CONTROL THE PACE, CREATE OPPORTUNITY
At higher levels, the dink is far more than a defensive tool— it’ s strategic. Proper footwork, paddle control, and placement allow you to manipulate positioning, create discomfort, and open attacking chances.
• Move the ball strategically— alternate crosscourt and to an opponent’ s inside foot.
• Target weaker sides, backhands or feet to force awkward contact.
• Keep the ball in front with small balanced steps.
• Exercise patience; capitalize on precise, controlled dinks.
• Observe opponents’ positioning; adjust placement to keep them uncomfortable.
• Take balls out of the air when possible to create openings.
Drill: Crosscourt Dinking – Dink crosscourt repeatedly, then alternate inside-foot dinks. Track points for consistency.
6. FAST HANDS: DOMINATE THE KITCHEN
High-level kitchen exchanges are rapid-fire. Success depends on anticipation, positioning, compact technique, and instant transitions between offense and defense. Fast hands allow you to dictate points, create openings, and capitalize on mistakes.
• Keep paddle up, in front, wide stance, weight forward.
• Use short pushes or punches from shoulder / elbow.
• Mix redirections, low placements, and pace changes.
• Keep wrists firm but flexible for control.
• Coordinate footwork with hand movement; small shuffles maintain balance.
• Watch the ball leave the opponent’ s paddle and monitor positioning.
Drill: Fast Hands Firefight – Start with slow volleys, gradually increase pace and vary direction. Focus on balance and reaction.
7. THE RESET: CALM IN THE CHAOS
A smart reset slows the point, neutralizes aggression, and creates space to recover or advance. Proper body positioning, soft hands, and paddle stability make this shot effective.
• Loosen grip to absorb pace, guiding the ball softly to the opponent’ s kitchen.
• Keep paddle slightly open and stable; avoid wrist flicks.
• Maintain low, balanced stance with knees bent.
• Read the ball; let pace work for you, adding lift only if needed.
• Recover immediately, moving forward or holding position.
Drill: Midcourt Reset – Partner hits varied pace balls; absorb each with soft hands, land softly, and recover forward.
Mastering these shots isn’ t just about technique— it’ s about knowing when and why to use them. Drilling combinations, focusing on placement, footwork, anticipation, and decision-making, turn technique into instinct. Recognize patterns, read opponents, and choose the right shot at the right time to control points, maintain consistency, and elevate your overall game to 4.0 + and beyond. •
Kyle McMakin is a touring pickleball professional, former Division I tennis player( UC Davis) and head pro for LevelUp Pickleball Camps. Kyle is a two-time Triple Crown winner. His DUPR is above 6.0 in both singles and doubles.
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2025 | MAGAZINE 25