THIRD SHOT DROP, FACT OR FICTION ?
Readers Note: I was chatting with a few close pickleball friends, after open play today about the effectiveness, relevance and completion percentageof the Third Shot Drop. The participants were all within the Intermediate Advancing Skill Level.
One of the first things we bantered back and fourth was, is the TSD "old-shool" or "new-school" pickleball. Another very interesting discussion point was what was "old school pickleball" and "what was "new school" pickleball.
The gist of our discussion lead to some profound futuristic observations on where the sport of pickleball has been and where it is heading, or should we say "evolving."
It was the group's consensus that our sport is going to see some major changes in strategy and so-called finesse play.
WHAT ARE THESE CHANGES, YOU ASK ? Sorry "sports fans" we're not ready to spill the beans, just yet. SOON BUT NOT NOW.
Boo, hiss, you say! OK, OK, I will give you one, and only one "New School Pickleball" strategy prediction to think about.... THE THIRD SHOT DROP, COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, IS IT WORTH THE RISK ? I can hear the old school pickleballers espousing their views on playing finesse pickleball, and condemning the voices of change.
Although I am considered "old," I am not "old school" when it comes to pickleball." I can see the evolution of the game in the short time I have been playing. Its getting faster, with less predictable strategies.
I am really "going out on a limb" by saying that I am observing more and more doubles teams playing the stronger skilled player with more mobility at the NVZ line and the less skilled less mobile player hang back between "no mans land and the baseline." Now before you jump all over me, let me say this, I am not condoning this strategy, nor would I teach this strategy in any of my clinics or classes. However, the team that used this strategy was highly successful against most all of their opponents.
Another observation I have made is that some players (mostly younger players) take their points when ever they can. Whether it be on the serve or return of serve, or third shot, if they can execute a consistently successful put away shot, regardless of where they are on the court, they do it.
One such player I asked about this, told me, "why go through that three shot get to the net and dink strategy, when I can capture the point in just one or two shots? Obliviously, I had no logical response to what he said.
IMO, one reasons for this change is more and more former tennis players are getting into pickleball, and they are bringing their tennis style game play with them. They are more prone to taking a point with a back court, forehand, well placed drive shot, then resort to the "cat and mouse" dinking game at the net.
CHANGE IS INEVITABLE IN ALL THINGS IN LIFE, INCLUDING PICKLEBALL. SO STAY TUNED FOR THE REST OF THIS READ, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.
Readers Note: I was chatting with a few close pickleball friends, after open play today about the effectiveness, relevance and completion percentageof the Third Shot Drop. The participants were all within the Intermediate Advancing Skill Level.
One of the first things we bantered back and fourth was, is the TSD "old-shool" or "new-school" pickleball. Another very interesting discussion point was what was "old school pickleball" and "what was "new school" pickleball.
The gist of our discussion lead to some profound futuristic observations on where the sport of pickleball has been and where it is heading, or should we say "evolving."
It was the group's consensus that our sport is going to see some major changes in strategy and so-called finesse play.
WHAT ARE THESE CHANGES, YOU ASK ? Sorry "sports fans" we're not ready to spill the beans, just yet. SOON BUT NOT NOW.
Boo, hiss, you say! OK, OK, I will give you one, and only one "New School Pickleball" strategy prediction to think about.... THE THIRD SHOT DROP, COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, IS IT WORTH THE RISK ? I can hear the old school pickleballers espousing their views on playing finesse pickleball, and condemning the voices of change.
Although I am considered "old," I am not "old school" when it comes to pickleball." I can see the evolution of the game in the short time I have been playing. Its getting faster, with less predictable strategies.
I am really "going out on a limb" by saying that I am observing more and more doubles teams playing the stronger skilled player with more mobility at the NVZ line and the less skilled less mobile player hang back between "no mans land and the baseline." Now before you jump all over me, let me say this, I am not condoning this strategy, nor would I teach this strategy in any of my clinics or classes. However, the team that used this strategy was highly successful against most all of their opponents.
Another observation I have made is that some players (mostly younger players) take their points when ever they can. Whether it be on the serve or return of serve, or third shot, if they can execute a consistently successful put away shot, regardless of where they are on the court, they do it.
One such player I asked about this, told me, "why go through that three shot get to the net and dink strategy, when I can capture the point in just one or two shots? Obliviously, I had no logical response to what he said.
IMO, one reasons for this change is more and more former tennis players are getting into pickleball, and they are bringing their tennis style game play with them. They are more prone to taking a point with a back court, forehand, well placed drive shot, then resort to the "cat and mouse" dinking game at the net.
CHANGE IS INEVITABLE IN ALL THINGS IN LIFE, INCLUDING PICKLEBALL. SO STAY TUNED FOR THE REST OF THIS READ, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.
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