Drive–Drop Combo Drill: Push Back, Then Soften In

Summary

John Cincola’s Titan machine drill for transition: machine in kitchen-dink left (or right); you start at/behind the opposite baseline. Pattern is drive first to hopefully earn a softer, shorter ball, then move in with a split step and drop the next ball off the bounce.

Big mistake he flags: freezing after the drive instead of rushing forward. As soon as the drive leaves the paddle, close, split-step, and handle the second ball — then reset and repeat.

Key takeaways

• Setup: machine kitchen-dink; you behind opposite baseline
• Drive first → earn a shorter ball → drop in transition
• Leave the paddle and go — don’t admire the drive
• Split-step before the drop contact

Action items

• Run 3×10 drive-drop combos; count how often the drop lands in the kitchen
• Without a machine: partner feeds deep, you drive then drop the reply