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Recommended watching: Zane Navratil & PicklePod
Go beyond the scores with conversations about the people, competition, and issues shaping pickleball. Explore Zane Navratil’s official YouTube channel for his perspective, instruction, and more. For PicklePod episodes and discussions about the wider sport, visit The Dink Pickleball on YouTube through the link below.
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October 27–November 2, 2026 | Tanner Tomassi
Third-shot decisions: drop or drive?
Tanner’s short lesson explains how your opponents’ position can guide your third shot. Useful for developing doubles players who want to make more deliberate choices after the return.
Key idea: consider a drop when opponents are settled at the kitchen; look for a controlled drive when they are still moving forward.
Try it this week: with a partner, alternate between a settled opponent and an advancing opponent. Call “drop” or “drive” before your third shot, then discuss the choice. This drill is our suggestion to reinforce the lesson.
Video and instruction: Tanner Tomassi. Featured independently by Pickleball Partners. Original lesson published April 23, 2026.
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