Joe, you're fantastic teacher. You've got the physics down, and man, is it helping me. I just started playing pickle ball at the tender age of 67, after hurting my rotator cuff from too much tennis. I even changed to being a left hander and it's working. Thanks a millions and I'll get your book.
Joe, I really like your videos, you make me understand a lot of things. Your way of explaining clears me up and helps me on the ground. You are a very good coach. thank you so much. Joe, j'aime beaucoup tes vidéo, tu me fais comprendre pleins de choses. Ta façon d'expliquer m'éclaircie et m'aide sur le terrain. Tu es un très bon entraîneur. Merci beaucoup
Thank you Joe, and I agree that developing a solid third shot drop (as well as a solid dinking game) will advance rec players forward significantly. I know it's helped me a lot.
Great content Joe, you really should put the link to your book in the description of your videos and provide incentive to buy it beyond just watching your videos (additional info, etc)
Joe, as always GREAT INSTRUCTION, but I just want to add 1 thing. At the 5:30ish mark you demonstrate a few 3rd shot drops. Though most of them were unattackable, a few of them bounced into the young mans strike zone (notice his paddle swing is by his hip) rather than below his knees. Those kinds of 3rd shots should make you more cautious about rushing in as his stroke could create a drive the ball right at the body. So, it is important to stop your forward progress, (split step) before the return ball is hit; some need to stop as soon as the ball crosses the net. Nonetheless, the 3rd shot ball should not bounce up but bounce long in order for you to advance.
Thank you for your comment. Yes, it's a huge mistake to still be in forward motion when your opponent hits the ball. As you say,"it is important to stop your forward progress, (split step) before the return ball is hit;."
Hi Joe, Great video. I was a little confused at tip #9 at 7:46. When you are returning a third shot, the other team is deep at the baseline and you recommend a kitchen 3rd shot. But at this 7:46 your suggestion is not to go to the kitchen but at their feet if they are deep. Can you clarify this? Thanks!
When playing correctly, both team members of the service return team should be fully forward before the third shot comes across the net. In such a case, you should try to drop your third shot into the kitchen. However, if a service return team member is lazy or otherwise slow getting forward, you should not try the rather difficult third shot to the kitchen, but instead place the third shot deeper so that it bounces just in front of the opponent who is not forward. This is an easier shot and it helps stop your opponent in no man's land.
Thank you for all your analysis and videos Joe. I am very new to the game so perhaps my comment won't be pertinent. This applies after 7:46 as well to the deeper drop shot. Is there not a danger that the returning side player at the net will be able to quite easily poach and smash this shot (especially if it is on their forehand)? Would a drive not be better because: it is harder to poach, it is harder to return, you can be a little less accurate on placement and still not have as great a chance of it coming back in a harder to return ball and even if you don't get all the way to the NVL before split-stepping and setting before the ball is struck for a return, you will have made it closer to the NVL and will potentially have an easier 5th shot drop as a result?
You are correct. I should have addressed the risk of poach of a shot that floats or is too slow. Certainly at the higher levels, any slow, poachable shot will be put away. Personally, when I see a player who is slow getting forward, perhaps only halfway to the line, I will use a 75% speed low drive that hopefully goes near the feet.
