Pickleball coach and player Tanner Tomassi recently shared a quick video lesson online showing how to hit an aggressive backhand third shot drop in pickleball. In under one minute, he walked through three easy steps that help players get better control and consistency using their backhand from the baseline.
Start with the Right Foot Position
Tanner Tomassi explained that players need to position their feet in line with where they want the ball to go. He said, “Wherever we want the ball to go we should be able to draw a straight line with our feet to the target like this.” He added that players often make the mistake of standing sideways or off-angle, which makes the shot harder.
Good footwork helps players stay balanced and gives them better aim. Drawing that line with the feet keeps the body in the correct stance before swinging.
Grip and Swing for Better Control
Next, Tanner Tomassi focused on the paddle grip. “For our grip on the paddle it’s easiest with one finger on the back. I’ve experimented like this and like this. With one finger it gives you the most amount of control.” This grip helps players stay steady and guide the ball with more precision.
Finally, he showed how to use the body when hitting the shot. “We want to keep our wrists completely locked and think of only using our shoulders to come up and around the ball like this. Notice how I’m super low in a squat. The depth of the shot is reaching. Get low use the shoulders.”
Using the shoulders instead of the wrist makes the shot more powerful and keeps the ball low and accurate. Squatting down also adds control by helping the player stay close to the ground during the swing.
Helping Players Get Better with the Backhand
This lesson focuses on one of the most important parts of pickleball—the third shot drop. Many players struggle with this move, especially on the backhand side. Tanner Tomassi’s quick tips give new and advanced players clear steps to improve.
Learning how to use proper foot position, grip, and shoulder movement gives players more success when returning serves and building rallies. It’s a simple guide that can be practiced anytime and is easy to understand for all levels.
News in Brief: Backhand Third Shot Drop in Pickleball
Tanner Tomassi gave a fast and helpful pickleball lesson showing how to hit an aggressive backhand third shot drop. His tips included foot placement, a one-finger grip for control, and using the shoulders during the swing. The quick guide helps players improve one of the game’s most important shots.
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