Release the Might: Command the Pickleball Drive

Develop speed, placement, and pressure, forcing your opposition to play unbalanced and behind.

What Constitutes a Drive in Pickleball?

A shot with pace and pressure

The drive is a hard, flat shot typically hit from mid-court or the baseline. It’s designed to make the opponent return the ball quickly, which may force them into a rushed, imperfect shot. You might think of this as the basic fastball of pickleball shots, not particularly fancy or difficult to execute, but with great potential to put your opponent on the defensive. Like the fastball, the drive tends to be overused in the wrong situations.

When to Hit a Drive Shot

Hit at the right moment and with the right intention

Drives are best used when:

Your opponent plays a short or high ball to you.
You want to play at a fast pace and catch your opponent off guard.
You have an opportunity and want to force an error or hit a set-up shot.

Too much driving, though, makes you a predictable player. Mix in some soft shots to stay balanced.

Common Mistake

Overswinging the Drive

Control is not equal to speed.

Errors come from hitting the ball too fast without having enough control. Trying to perform an overswing can result in hitting the ball out, hitting it into the net, or hitting it high for the opponent to put it away easily.

Flat Footwork

Limits your reach and reduces shot quality

Standing still or stepping late leads to off-balance drives. Stay light on your feet and position yourself early. Step into the shot with your front foot to engage your whole body.

Hitting Too Close to the Body

Creates a jammed, awkward swings

Imagine trying to swing a sledgehammer in front of you with the tool only a foot and half away from your body. Hitting the ball too close to your body slows down the pace, prolongs the time spent in the contact area, and causes a shot to go off-line.

How to Perform a Proper Drive Shot

Mixing fast and consistent are not necessarily the same thing

Blend speed with control to achieve optimum consistency. Execute a drive like this:

Begin with a ready position at or slightly behind the baseline.
Prepare to swing by turning your shoulders and setting your paddle in your best ready position to hit the ball.
Step into the shot with your lead foot, your weight going from your back foot to your front foot in a smooth transfer.
Use your whole body to swing the paddle, not just your arm.
Lead with your legs, engage your core, and really use your shoulders and back to power the shot.
Contact the ball directly in front of you, ideally at waist height.
Follow through toward your target. Don’t stop at the paddle being parallel to your target line; stop with it low and flat.
Aim for depth and speed, just above the height of the net.

Strategy: Targeting With the Drive

Unnerve your opponent

Aim for their feet and make them do awkward pickups.
Target their non-dominant side and take advantage of the sluggish responses.
Rushing the opponent means driving at the body to get them jammed up. It’s a way of pushing and using the opponent’s body against them to create an opening for your move.
Change speed and direction to stay unpredictable.

Exercises to Enhance Your Drive Shot

Establish muscle memory, timing, and placement

Practicing at the baseline: Place cones near the baseline and aim for them consistently.
Drive & dinking reset drill: Alternate between drive shots and controlled dinks.
Partner feeds: Have a partner feed short and deep balls to practice your different drive setups.
Wall drill: Hit drive shots against a wall to develop your timing and paddle angle.