SelkirkTV recently launched a new instructional pickleball video with professional player Susannah Barr, where she teaches the importance of mastering the third shot. Susannah emphasizes that the third shot is a crucial part of any game and shows how to practice different shot types to keep opponents on their toes. In this blog post, we will break down the key lessons from the video and provide insights to help you improve your third shot game.
Lesson 1: Choices Matter
According to Susannah, hitting the third shot in pickleball is all about making the right choices on the fly. Players must decide where to hit the ball and what kind of shot to execute. The three main shot types are the drop, drive, and medium pace ball. By practicing these shots, players can learn to mix them up during games without overthinking.
Lesson 2: The Importance of Drills
To demonstrate the drills, Susannah enlisted the help of Kendall and Porter. Kendall practiced choosing between the drop, medium paced ball, or drive, while Porter positioned himself at the kitchen line. The idea behind the medium paced shot is to aim at the opponent's feet as they approach the kitchen line after returning a serve. By incorporating drills into practice, players can develop the skill of transitioning between different shots and keeping opponents guessing.
Lesson 3: Mixing It Up
One common challenge players face is getting stuck hitting the same shots repeatedly. Susannah emphasizes the importance of transitioning between shot types and varying the pace to make it more difficult for opponents to return the ball. She demonstrates a pattern of drop, medium, and drive shots, and then encourages Kendall to break the pattern and make her own choices on the pace of her third shot.
Lesson 4: Take Your Time
While practicing, Susannah reminds players not to rush. It's essential to take time on each drill, focusing on making conscious choices and smooth transitions between shots. This approach will help players develop muscle memory and make better decisions during games.
Lesson 5: Changing Angles and Positions
To add variety to the drills, Susannah suggests practicing crosscourt shots and trying the drills from different positions on the court. This helps players get comfortable with various scenarios and improve their third shot game overall.
The instructional pickleball video on SelkirkTV with professional player Susannah Barr offers valuable insights for players looking to improve their third shot game. By focusing on making choices, practicing drills, mixing up shot types, taking time, and changing angles and positions, players can enhance their skills and become formidable opponents on the pickleball court. Don't forget to check out the full video for a complete demonstration of Susannah's tips and tricks!
To watch the complete episode and many other Selkirk TV original shows, podcasts, lesson series from the pros, and much more, download the Selkirk TV app HERE.
