It’s okay to hit your drops high. Third shot, fifth shot, even the holy seventh shot, whichever. I know it’s not your intention. I know you sometimes get blasted as a result of your errors. But just because you occasionally loft them up and get severely punished as a result, does not mean you have to resort to ripping every groundstroke to cover for the fact that you’re not perfect. Without the drop, you make it too hard to neutralize the play situation at the 4.0 level and up (Level 5 and up according to Slate’s Leveling system), and thus, will be unable to progress your play. It’ll be plateau city, where the mountain of 4.5 play and up (Level 6 and up) will forever be inaccessible to you.
I’ve personally been playing a lot of pickleball as of late. I’ve noticed this specific and frustrating pattern. There’s something about when 3.5-4.0 players receive low balls near the midcourt and boy howdy, they just want to rip every single shot. Every one! This is a lower percentage shot and not as tactically sound if you’re doing it every time! Smart players will let those overhit drives fly by and sail out, easily block them, or watch with pleasure as those big hits pop back off the net tape.
Just drop the dang thing and get to the kitchen, aka the non-volley zone, when you receive that lower ball. If you hit an attackable floater, it’s okay. Drop your paddle and body low and get ready to block. You’ll get another chance. Don’t be afraid of losing some points. Keep the paddle pathway loose with a fluid low to high pathway and feel that warm satisfaction as the ball sinks to your opponents feet. Now it’s your turn to attack.
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