A huge mistake we all make – and how to fix it

Hey!

Let’s talk about something that can change your approach to every third shot drop: knowing when to move in, when to hold back, and where to target that ball so you can seize control of the point.

It all starts with a little mental framework I call the “traffic light system.”

Once you wrap your head around it, you’ll find yourself making smarter choices, staying calm under pressure, and turning those third shots into real opportunities.

Green Light: The Go-Ahead to Attack
When you hit a drop that forces your opponents to pop up on the ball, whether they’re rushing forward to volley or chipping it back from below the net, you’ve earned a green light.

My advice? As soon as you recognize that your drop is low enough to make them hit up on it, sprint toward the kitchen line like your next point depends on it (because it does!).

Once you’re there, a few things can happen:

• They may mishandle that high return and pop it up; boom, you’re already set up for a killer volley or smash.

• Even if they get something back low, just being close to the kitchen line puts real pressure on them. Before they know it, they might slice it wide or hit it too soft, and you’re on offense again.

• Against solid competition, they might concede the kitchen entirely, meaning you get to start the dink battle on balance and in control.

In all these scenarios, moving forward decisively forces mistakes and gives you the momentum you need.

Don’t be timid—if you see that green light, attack it.

Yellow Light: Stay Cool, Reset, and Reposition
Not every drop is going to be perfect.

Sometimes you’ll land that ball in the midcourt zone—too high to confidently move in, but not high enough to let you stay put. That’s your yellow light. The key here is patience and balance.

Instead of panicking and charging in, take a split step to reset yourself, then play a controlled reset shot back into the kitchen.

Here’s how I think about it:

1. Recognize that you don’t have a sure green light. If the ball is landing in that midcourt area, it’s an invitation to reset.

2. Split step so you’re on balance and ready. If you rush in unbalanced, you’ll give them the advantage.

3. Execute the reset. Push it softly back into the kitchen, then move forward as soon as you see the angle. Sometimes that midcourt ball will even float a bit higher than they intended, giving you a chance to step in with a down volley. Other times, your reset forces them to dink again, and as you and your partner move forward, you’ve seized the real estate back at the kitchen line.

Staying calm on yellow lights separates the consistently good players from those who swing and miss.

Remember: it’s okay to reset—just do it with purpose, so you can reclaim the kitchen quickly.

Red Light: Retreat or Defend Smartly
Occasionally, your third shot drop comes off too high, maybe even as an overhead attempt.

That’s your red light.

Instead of blindly charging in on a ball that’s going to sail by, you need to give yourself time to recover or defend. Depending on your court position and how well you can handle a quick defensive exchange, you have two main options:

• Stay put if you’re in a decent spot to defend. Maybe you can block a shot back or dink it deep enough to buy time.

• Retreat a step or two behind the baseline or into the midcourt, then get ready to re-engage. If you panic and dash forward on a high drop, you’ll either miss the ball entirely or hand them an easy winner.

A red-light moment isn’t a failure—it’s just a cue to regroup and play smart defense until you get another chance to go on offense.

Maintain focus, keep your paddle up, and wait for that green or yellow opportunity to present itself again.

Where to Aim Your Third Shot Drops
Now, let’s talk strategy—specifically, target selection.

Once you’ve trained your eye on the traffic lights, you can further tilt the odds in your favor by hitting to spots that cause weak replies.

Here are three go-to targets:

1. The Running-Forward Opponent: If you see your opponent lunging in to handle a return or a second shot, hit your third shot right at them. It’s always tougher to execute a controlled shot on the move, and they’ll often pop it up or hit it short, giving you and your partner a chance to pounce.

2. The Weaker Player (Fourth Shot Pressure): Identify which one of your opponents struggles to apply pressure on that fourth ball. If they’re prone to slicing it or hitting it long under pressure, send your drop their way. They’ll frequently produce a softer reply, letting you glide into the kitchen with ease.

3. The Backhand Side: Most players are less comfortable attacking their backhand on the run. If you’re on the left side, aim at the left-side player’s backhand; if you’re on the right side, still hit to the left-side player’s backhand but from the opposite angle. Either way, you’re looking for that sweet spot where the backhand return becomes a low-percentage shot, so they either push it wide or pop it up for your partner to smash.

Here’s the mindset nugget: once you find a weak spot—say their backhand is consistently shaky—keep attacking it until they adjust.

That’s how you play smart pickleball.

Next time you step onto the court, remember: it’s not just about getting the ball over the net; it’s about forcing your opponent into difficult positions, capitalizing on their weakest links, and staying mentally sharp through every green, yellow, and red moment.

Till next week,
Kyle

PS: I’ve got good news and bad news. . .

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