Master the Pickleball Drop Shot: Pickleball coach Jarrett Chirico explains the importance of learning when to drop the ball and when to drive it during a mini-pickleball drop drill. The drill helps players practice building points by focusing on controlled drops, which often can be more strategic than driving the ball. Chirico emphasizes that players should master dropping before trying to drive like the pros.
Jarrett Chirico says, “It was just the other day that somebody told me that people don’t drop anymore, all the pros drive the ball. And again, it doesn’t matter what the pros do, it matters what we do.” He points out that players need to learn to drop the ball well before moving on to faster shots.
Why Dropping Matters in Pickleball
Dropping the ball correctly is a key skill in pickleball. Chirico explains that driving the ball gives opponents less time to react, but driving is often used to reset the rally, allowing a player to prepare for a better drop shot next. He says, “We drive to reset ourselves to be able to drop.”
The goal is to move forward toward the net gradually, not to rush. Learning to drop the ball well can help players control the pace of the game and gain an advantage.
How the Mini-Pickleball Drop Drill Works
In the drill, one player stands at the net, and the other player, often Chirico himself, stays at the baseline. The player at the baseline tries to drop the ball five times into the defensive part of the kitchen—the area where the net player cannot hit it out of the air.
The net player tries to hit the ball in the air to win a point. If the net player misses, the baseline player scores a point. The aim for the net player is to control their volley and squat to take the ball early. This drill pushes both players to improve their skills.
Chirico describes the drill as a competitive game where the net player reaches forward more as the drill progresses, and the baseline player adjusts to hit harder drops. The drill encourages players to hit better drop shots even under pressure.
Focus on Quality and Control
Chirico explains that drops that force the net player to move forward gradually help improve the quality of shots. The drill allows players to practice hitting drop shots with control, ensuring the ball lands in the defensive zone and giving enough time to move forward for the next shot.
He says, “If I can hit that drop that lands in the defensive zone I have plenty of time to walk even to here before I hit the next ball.”
Practice Makes Perfect
The drill forces players to improve their drops by hitting tougher shots from the baseline without rushing to the net too soon. Chirico encourages players to put themselves in tough situations to develop better drop shots.
He says, “I challenge you all again to put yourself in these situations that force you to hit shots and continue to improve those shots.”
Chirico warns that players often lose points not because they choose the wrong shot, but because they hit the right shot poorly. Practicing the drop shot with control will help players win more points.
News in Brief: Master the Pickleball Drop Shot
Pickleball coach Jarrett Chirico highlights the importance of mastering drop shots before driving. Using a mini-pickleball drop drill, players practice hitting controlled drops to improve quality and timing. Chirico stresses that driving resets the game and dropping is key to advancing toward the net successfully. The drill builds skill through competition and control, teaching players when and how to use drop shots effectively.
ALSO READ: Pickleball Etiquette: How to Handle Line Calls in Pickleball the Right Way