Pro Pickleball Drive Tips: Professional pickleball players and coaches shared their top tips for improving drive shots in a new video from the Flying Pickle Academy. The advice came from Susannah Barr, Maria Lopez, Dominic Catalano, and Nicholas Wade. Each explained how to drive better using a smarter technique, not just strength. The video was created to help players adjust to the game’s faster pace by improving their third-shot drive.
Susannah Barr: Look for the Right Ball to Drive
Pro player and coach Susannah Barr warned that one of the biggest pickleball mistakes is trying to drive on the wrong ball. She explained how to choose the right time to go for a third-shot drive.
“So my first and my best tip for when I decide I’m going to hit a third shot drive is all about the placement of that return. So the shorter that return, the more that return is bouncing in the middle of the court and I can actually step in and drive it. That for me is my signal to go.” – (Barr)
She also explained her technique: no big backswing, contact out in front, and using her legs and core to generate power.
“I don’t take a huge back swing. I try to make contact out in front and I try to step in and step through that drive using my legs to generate my power, my legs and my core.” – (Barr)
Maria Lopez: Use Speed, Not Strength
Coach Maria Lopez shared a common mistake she sees—players trying to power the ball using muscle instead of paddle speed. She focused on keeping the swing short and accelerating the paddle fast at the point of contact.
“So my best tip for a drive is to think acceleration and not think power. So as you accelerate on your shots, you’re going to generate more power. You’re going to think about getting faster with your hands as you’re making contact and that’s going to eventually give power to the ball.” – (Maria Lopez)
She showed how a fast swing with relaxed arms and good balance can add power without effort.
“You think here right? You see how relaxed my arm is and then just fast when I’m making contact out in front… As if I have a glass of water or a glass of wine over my head. All acceleration.” – (Maria Lopez)
Dominic Catalano: Stay Short and Sweet
Professional coach Dominic Catalano advised players to keep their swings short. He explained that large backswings can slow you down and make you miss timing.
“The best tip for your drive for me is stay short and sweet. Pickleball court small, ball gets on top of you quickly. The bigger the back swing a ball gets on top of you, now the faster I have to come through the zone and I rush.” – (Dominic Catalano)
Instead, he suggested a controlled backswing, going only halfway, then accelerating through the ball.
“I want you to stay short and sweet through the ball and not take a big back swing here.” – (Dominic Catalano)
He emphasized that less space between the paddle and ball helps prevent being rushed.
“Cut it in half and then accelerate through the ball. Keep that ball in.” – (Dominic Catalano)
Nicholas Wade: Focus on Footwork and Balance
As a bonus tip, pro player Nicholas Wade stressed the importance of footwork. He’s known for powerful drives and explained that balance and early preparation are key.
“My number one tip for hitting a massive drive is preparation with the footwork. When we’re looking at footwork, we really want to prepare and set ourselves up well. If you’re not prepared, you’re just going to hit a bad drive because you’ll be off balance.” – (Nicholas Wade)
He also talked about choosing the right stance depending on the ball’s placement—open stance when stretched wide, closed stance when moving up the court.
“But the main thing is the transfer of weight after that shot.” – (Nicholas Wade)
One mistake he sees often is players getting too close to the ball, which ruins balance.
“One of the biggest mistakes I see is distance to the ball right. So you want to have the same contact point every single time.” – (Nicholas Wade)
Why These Tips Matter
As pickleball speeds up, players must be faster and smarter. These tips focus on timing, balance, and using the body better. Rather than just swinging hard, the right drive needs control, footwork, and paddle speed. With practice and these strategies, players can hit stronger, smarter drives and stay competitive in fast rallies.
News in Brief: Pro Pickleball Drive Tips
Top pickleball pros Susannah Barr, Maria Lopez, Dominic Catalano, and Nicholas Wade gave expert tips on how to hit better drives. Their advice focuses on picking the right ball, keeping swings short, accelerating instead of using power, and improving footwork. These tips help players keep up with today’s faster game.
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