Short Return After a Big Serve: Don’t Take the Drive Bait
John Cincola on the classic trap: huge serve, short return, all the momentum — and you rip a drive that goes long, nets, or gets volleyed at your feet.
Two-Hand Backhand Drive: Contact the Outside Third
The Pickleball Clinic fixes mushy two-hand backhand drives that hang in the air: you’re contacting too close — by the outside foot — the same spot that works for dinks.
Drive-Then-Drop: Use the Drive to Set Up an Easy Drop
Ty Butson’s drive-to-drop pattern keeps a strong drive as a weapon without giving free air volleys forever.
Forehand Drive Lesson (Part 1): Private Session With Coach Naveen
Backpaddle Pickleball documents a private lesson with Coach Naveen focused on the forehand drive (part 1).
Unstick Your Thirds: Drive Reads, Still Resets, High-% Targets
Jordan Briones breaks down a 3.5 men’s doubles rec game aimed at players stuck in the 3.0–3.5 band.
Drive–Drop Combo Drill: Push Back, Then Soften In
John Cincola’s Titan machine drill for transition: machine in kitchen-dink left (or right); you start at/behind the opposite baseline.
Thirds by Depth: Slice Drop, Regular Drop, or Drive
Elite Pickleball Coaching keeps third-shot choice simple: match the shot to where the ball is. When it’s short in the court, hit a slice drop.
Rebuild the Forehand Drive: Torso Engine, Dip, Lag, Contact Point
Backpaddle films a full rebuild of his forehand drive with Coach Naveen (top-10 A pro, tennis background).
Topspin in 3 Steps: Grip, Dip, Brush Low-to-High
Preston’s Playbook breaks topspin into three steps. First, shift from continental one notch (eastern) or two (semi-western) so the face is slightly closed.
Singles Passing Rapid-Fire: DTL Deep, Cross Shallow
John Cincola’s Titan singles passing drill puts the machine at center baseline and you in midcourt opposite. Feeds come six at a time, alternating backhand and forehand, with a short break between sets.