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Not All Drop Shots Are Created Equal
Shea Underwood
May 03, 2024
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WEEK 14
Welcome back to the Road to Pro!
This week we’re mixing things up! Justin asked an excellent question about the differences in playing singles vs doubles. There’s a lot to unpack here, so I’ve answered this question in detail and provided several tips throughout. For his question, Justin will receive a brand new $250 paddle!
If you want the chance to win a paddle yourself, click on the button below to submit your pickleball questions. Anyone whose question is featured in my newsletter will automatically win a new paddle!
What are the key differences between playing singles and doubles in pickleball, and how should one adjust their strategy accordingly?
The quality of your drops
Doubles:
When playing doubles, you have more freedom to hit higher drop shots. Higher drops aren’t too risky as you and your partner can cover more of the court together. If your opponents are taking your higher drops out of the air with an upward motion of their paddle rather than a downward motion, you and your partner will still be able to defend these shots without much difficulty.
In doubles, dropping the ball to the middle can also be beneficial. This is the area of the court that has the lowest margin of error as it it farthest from the sidelines, and the net is slightly lower than the sides.
Singles:
In singles, hitting high drop shots can be risky. If the ball bounces too high, your opponent can easily direct it anywhere on the court, quickly putting you on the defensive and likely costing you the point. It's crucial to hit drops with either topspin or backspin, and to aim near your opponent’s feet. This forces them to either take it out of the air from below their knees or step back to let it bounce.
Another thing to remember is to keep your drops away from the middle. Aim closer to the sidelines. This limits your opponent's options by taking away certain angles. If your drop reaches the sidelines, your opponent has three responses:
They might aim for the center of your court, which is probably where you’re standing.
They could attempt a down-the-line shot, which is challenging if your drop was perfect.
They might go for a cross-court dink. This is the most likely response as it gives them more court space to aim for, and allows for a higher, deeper shot that isn't immediately attackable.
Where you hit your returns
Doubles:
In doubles, you typically avoid targeting your opponent’s strong side during returns. If an opponent has a really strong forehand, it’s wise to direct your shots to their backhand. This approach forces them to use a less dominant stroke, potentially leading to a weaker return. By doing so, you reduce their chances of executing a powerful drive that could place you or your partner in a defensive position.
Singles:
What I’m going to say next might sound crazy but hear me out. In singles play, the strategy can be to return to your opponent’s strength rather than their weakness. For example, you have an opponent with an incredible forehand. By returning the ball deep to their forehand, you can push them to the back edge of the court, forcing them to hit their third shot from near the sideline. This setup allows you to redirect your next shot to the opposite side, forcing a backhand on their fifth shot. This strategy creates a safer pattern by using your opponent’s strengths against them, forcing a weak fifth shot and keeping you in an attackable position.
When to hit a put-away
Doubles:
In doubles, for the shots that you are able to hit from above the net, it’s usually best to avoid hitting them to the center of the court. By directing them to the center, you often allow your opponents to stay balanced and respond well with their returns. Instead, you want to aim these shots at various angles to push your opponents off balance and create gaps for you to exploit.
Singles:
In singles, when presented with a similar opportunity to take a shot out of the air from the kitchen line, hit a more direct and safer shot towards your opponent, rather than attempting a risky sharp angle for an instant win. Here's why:
1. A straighter shot minimizes the risk of unforced errors for you.
2. If your opponent has given you this shot, they are most likely already off balance, meaning you don’t need a flawless shot to win the point.
3. Singles games are incredibly exhausting. By choosing a shot that prolongs the rally, you force your opponent to exert more effort hitting additional shots, causing them to wear themselves out during that particular rally. Their exhaustion heading into the next rally could increase your chances of winning the next few points.
To see which paddle Justin won, check out the video below!
If you want a chance to win a new paddle, click the button below to be taken to a Google submission form.
If your question is chosen for next week’s newsletter, you’ll win a free paddle!
Videos You’ll Enjoy
My friend Caleb and I just released a new video on YouTube called, “10 Pickleball Drills That Will Make You a 5.0.“ Check it out!
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