Dylan Frazier’s Guide to the Third Shot Drive: Professional pickleball player Dylan Frazier recently shared insights on mastering the soft game, focusing on the third shot drive in pickleball. In a video for Cirk TV, Frazier explained when players should use a drive instead of a drop shot. He emphasized two main situations: when opponents hit a weak return or when they deliver a strong, deep return.
Strategic Use of the Third Shot Drive
Frazier detailed that a third shot drive is ideal when opponents hit a shallow or high return. This allows players to step into the shot and strike aggressively.
“That’s kind of like your shake and bake opportunity,” Frazier said. He explained that in this scenario, the player hitting the drive is the “shaker,” while their partner is the “baker,” who moves in to finish the point. He noted that a single player could also execute the entire strategy alone.
Another scenario for using the third shot drive is when opponents hit a deep, well-placed return. Frazier recommended driving the ball at 70% strength to force a block from the opponent. This approach allows players to set up an easier drop shot on the fifth or later shots, helping them transition to the kitchen line smoothly.
If I hit a poor drive here and my opponents hit a good volley back to me, then I might hit a seventh shot drive or a ninth shot drive or an 11th shot drive,” (Dylan Frazier).
Executing the Shake and Bake Strategy
Frazier demonstrated examples of when to drive and when to drop the ball. In one drill, he drove the ball until he found an opportunity to hit a controlled drop shot.
“I wasn’t really in a hurry to get to the kitchen line. I was comfortable just kind of hitting these drives with about 60 to 70% pace,” (Dylan Frazier).
In another demonstration, Frazier showed how a short return creates an aggressive opportunity. He executed a shake and bake strategy, where his partner intercepted the next ball for a winning shot. He cautioned players against rushing their shots, advising them to plant their feet before hitting the drive.
“A lot of times I’ll see players get excited and start running through their shot, and it causes a miss,” (Dylan Frazier).
The Importance of Shot Selection
Frazier emphasized that players must recognize when to drive or drop based on their opponent’s return. If the return is weak, players should attack. If the return is strong, they should be patient and use controlled drives until they get a ball they can drop effectively. By understanding these strategies, players can improve their ability to transition to the kitchen line successfully.
News in Brief: Dylan Frazier’s Guide to the Third Shot Drive
Professional pickleball player Dylan Frazier shared insights on using the third shot drive effectively. He highlighted two key scenarios: weak returns that allow aggressive play and strong returns that require controlled drives. Frazier demonstrated how players can transition to the kitchen using patience and strategy to gain an advantage.
ALSO READ: Mastering the Two-Handed Backhand in Pickleball: Tips from James Ignatowich
