How do you normally deal with 4th shots?

@e4mon

22 күн бұрын

Perhaps this is different in other cities but I see way more 3rd drives (or drive-drops/drips) into 5th drops at the 4.0ish level. I think maybe you underestimate how much and how quickly the amateur "meta" follows what people see the pros doing. I honestly can't remember the last time I saw someone hit a classic drop from the baseline... I just expect them to drive it and look for a shorter ball to, as you said, do a more linear drop on the 5th.

@elliottfletcher4830

22 күн бұрын

A lot of 3.0 to 4.5 players often have weak high drives or relatively poor drops and I'm only 5'8" so I often just get low and scorpion!! 😂

I literally just started doing this. A friend of mine has really aggressive drops and I couldn’t safely take them out of the air. I started to compensating by taking a step back from the kitchen and then hitting the ball. Didn’t realize this is what pros do. Wow!

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

you are already on the right track! than you for subscribing

Explanations are nice and clear. I also agree with your 4th shot tips. Thanks!

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

thank you!

Great video and excellent advice, as usual. Thanks John.

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

Thanks 👍

Ooooh! I’m excited to try this!

@johncincolapickleball

15 күн бұрын

go for it

Another great lesson!

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

Glad you liked it!

Fantastic video 🙌

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

Glad you liked it!

I've been working with a group and while doing a midcourt reset drills, I'd try to encourage them to take the ball out of the air and "pounce" it back at them. We also do a drill we call "push and reset" where you take a high bouncing dink or you can step back and push that shot to the partner and he has to slow it down. Now where I need work is to keep from wearing out the net by pushing balls that are too low to push. But that will come. I like your observations to make to anticipate the step back shot or to take it out of the air shot.

@johncincolapickleball

15 күн бұрын

great comment thank you!

The more I play pickleball & watch your vids the more I realize how much more there is to learn.....great vid on strategy/shot selection, thanks for the help you give us.

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

Glad to help, keep on learning!

Love your videos

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

gracias

John, I and most of the players I play against use the topspin drive-drop (DRIP?) or hard drive for the 3rd because the paddles nowadays have so much spin and power you can wildly shape or nail shots. I don't see the soft 3rd drop as often until the 5th. I would like to see how you play the aggressive topspin drive-drops and hammered drives which, as you say, is another video. Thanks

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

great question! thank you for asking. yes the drives and drips are very popular in both am and pro. i made a video about how to deal with bangers you might find helpful :) kzread.info/dash/bejne/lZaBsMxtZJWXg9o.htmlsi=qz8ENvtzLKfyB2Sq

Great video, thanks

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

No problem 👍 thank you for subscribing

I started using the step back recently and it’s really improving my game. Great video!

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

Keep it up

Thank you great tips. 😎

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

Glad it was helpful! thank you for subscribing

Thanks for this video. I’ve been struggling with 4th shot decision making, especially with guys with quality 3rd drops

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

glad it is helpful and thank you for subscribing!

It's interesting............i love it.

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

awesome thank you

Awesome advice. The step back drive is a great weapon!

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

yes, add it to your arsenal

I’m commenting during the video seems like some quality tips are given thanks

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

Always!

Great video. I’m guilty of the half volley and looking forward to trying the step back.

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

You can do it!

best videos in the sport!

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

awesome thank you!

I like the advice about not being afraid a fire fight because they will be in the mid court… Maybe just committing to being aggressive on fourth shots is the best.

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

you go it

The step back is very helpful. More time = better placements.

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

you got it

I’ve been using this and it’s very effective even though I have a really good cross-court half volley drop, coming from tennis. This results in more points. I think the key to this shot is not over hitting it. Usually I’ll hit a 30-40% roll to their feet vs a more aggressive topspin drive that brings the net into play. On the backhand side I like to slice to their feet and they end up dumping the ball into the net most of the time.

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

that is great! thank you for your awesome comment! the tennis background is great

Thank you, The overall instructions were helpful. A big shout out to the editor tho! Who edited this video?

@johncincolapickleball

16 күн бұрын

you are welcome! i know a guy (check description)

Ironically some people I play with tell me to never do a step-back, but the tennis player in me finds it very natural to make a touch of space, allowing for a bit of topspin, placement, and a bit more aggressive contact. Foot's back at the line in a second, anyway, not giving up kitchen. Half-volley never feels good, like, "here, take the wheel."

@johncincolapickleball

16 күн бұрын

yes great point

Great video. I see better players doing this and has changed my third shot being more drives than drops. I feel I hit a good drop only to have opponents step back and catch me coming up

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

thank you! do what works for you

This is amazing. My 4th is usually only aggressive if I can roll it from the air. Silly me that being able to be aggressive was just one step (back) away. BTW, great meeting you in Dallas. Cheers!

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

hahaha good pun and thank you for subscribing

@CPRSquared

21 күн бұрын

@@johncincolapickleball "One step" is especially punny since I'm missing a left foot.

Tutorial on a volley back hand slice please.

@johncincolapickleball

2 күн бұрын

thanks for the suggestion!

Try to use these often. Placement over power is so important.

@johncincolapickleball

17 күн бұрын

go get them

For the backhand slice drops that don't bounce very high and stay relatively low (bouncing about half way up the net level), is there a way to hit those aggressively or is that not wise?

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

depends on how high the ball coming in is. if you have to play a defensive shot its not the end of the world. if it has alot of backspin will have to get under the ball a bit more to spin it over the net

Volleying for me feels very instinctive. But I feel I’m too aggressive on some shots off the bounce. Any advice? I feel smarter just trying to drive it to their feet… the short hop half volley seems to work well when they hit a drop with too much pace that I wouldn’t have time to back up and I’d give up too much space.

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

focus on placement and spin. not so much power

But recently I feel like I make too many errors with fourth shots so I’m trying to be less aggressive. I would step off the line and try and drive but would miss too much

@owenallenaz

22 күн бұрын

Miss where and how? As John says, the stepback isn't a full drive. You're already at the kitchen so its nearly half the distance of a normal drive. Focus more on spin and placement over power. The goal, especially for us regular folks, isn't to rip this, it is to put a nice, paced, challenging ball as opposed to being passive and just dinking.

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

great reply! placement > power

Errbody driving 3rd

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

errbody driving 5th? if they drop the 5th the same principles apply

if they recognize you doing a step back couldn't someone just run up and counter that ball?

@johncincolapickleball

21 күн бұрын

yes but as obi wan said " I have the high ground". you are at the kitchen and can target their feet