James Ignatowich’s Pickleball Topspin Drive: Pickleball professional James Ignatowich recently shared a training video to help players improve their topspin drive shots. In his lesson, recorded on court, he explained how to use the paddle and body positioning to control topspin. Ignatowich also gave tips on shot power, balance, and footwork to land better drives during a match.
How to Hit a Controlled Drive
James Ignatowich explained that his best drives don’t go all the way to the baseline. Instead, he aims to land the ball around the mid-court with about 75% power. This allows the ball to dip quickly and makes it hard for the opponent to attack.
“Hey guys, James Ignatowich here. We’re going to talk about using top spin to hit an effective drive that lands right around here,” said Ignatowich.
He added, “So for me, I think my most effective drives are not going all the way to the baseline and I’m not trying to hit them as hard as I can.”
This type of shot is sometimes called a “drip” or a “drop drive hybrid,” though he said he doesn’t focus on the name.
“For me, I don’t really care what it’s called. I just know that it’s going to bounce here and I’m hitting at like 75% pace,” he said.
Why Leg and Body Position Matter
In his demonstration, James Ignatowich said players should not focus on using full body force like they would on a serve. Instead, he recommended staying low and keeping the same posture throughout the shot.
“So, the key with this one is not coming up and releasing your hips into the ball,” he said. “So, if you try to hit the drive as hard as you can, maybe that’s something you could do.”
He explained that drives are different from serves, which require more power and a rising motion.
“And a serve is a shot that you want to hit, you know, pretty hard and try to hit it deep. And in that situation, you’ll come up a little bit,” he added.
But for this drive shot, staying still and balanced was more important.
“But for me, when I’m hitting this shot, I try to keep my legs bent pretty much the same way the entire time,” Ignatowich said.
He also showed the proper head and foot control needed.
“My most effective drives—I’ll keep my head pretty much still and I’ll stay bent and it’ll look like this,” he explained. After his demo, he smiled and said, “Oh, that was tremendous.”
Why This Matters for Players
This lesson is helpful for players who want to use topspin in a smarter way. By learning how to land the ball mid-court with good control, players can add a strong weapon to their game without risking errors.
James Ignatowich’s advice can help both beginner and advanced players. His simple tips focus on good habits rather than hitting harder. Players who try this method may find more success in matches and fewer mistakes on court.
News in Brief: James Ignatowich’s Pickleball Topspin Drive
James Ignatowich shared a lesson on hitting topspin drives in pickleball. He showed how to land shots mid-court at 75% power while keeping a steady body position. His tips focused on control, balance, and avoiding overuse of spin. The advice helps players make smarter, more effective drives in matches.
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