First, that was some excellent pickleball. I enjoyed seeing the patience on defense, even more so the tactical lobs and of course the Erne. Bit surprised that I didn't see even one tactical poach, especially with all the action in the middle (more about that later). Second, on the issue of coming up vs. staying back. I admit that I'm guilty of coming up too aggressively. Not as much as some of my partners claim, because often my odds really are much better up than back and I'm very good (for my level) at hitting on the run. Nonetheless, I do get burned, so I'm learning to be more strategic based on the quality of the drop and who I'm facing. It does seem to be working, and watching videos like yours has helped, so thanks for that. Third, the issue of leaving a gap in the middle is even more interesting to me. Yes, it can create a huge opportunity for opponents. I've capitalized on those myself, as recently as this morning. On the other hand, I've also seen players close up the middle *too* much, leaving themselves vulnerable on the lines. I've capitalized on that too. In the end it's a big chess game, trying to move to wherever you can get a clean shot (or move your opponent to the same effect), and hope that you can take advantage before they do. That's one of my favorite parts of the game right now. So far it seems like the key is reading your opponents, and whoever can do *that* better is likely to prevail.
I watch a lot of Tanner’s video content as well. I believe this was from a year ago, and it also shows how much improvement you can make when you drill consistently on your game. Because he is a much different player today.
This was over a year ago. Aidan Clayton and Tanner are dramatically better today!! In fact two weeks ago at Next Gen St Louis Clayton and Aidan won Gold in both doubles events. Had to beat Jack Munro and Richard Levernese two amazing players to take gold both days:) The kids just keep getting better and!!
There is nothing wrong with either team hitting the 3rd shot drive. The issue is that they are fully committing to the shake and bake which is not a good idea especially when the other teams have good blocks. Non-hitting player should stay back and watch the bounce before deciding if they want to rush in. A 3rd shot drive followed by a 5th shot drop is a much better strategy for most players.
Don't think you can really generalize one way or the other "3rd shot drive good/bad". Biggest issue I saw was Matthew hitting his drives too high when tanner was baking. That will always get punished at higher levels. Pb is all about matchups. If opponents have slow hands, your advantaged to drive more (if you have wind behind you). Otherwise drop. At higher levels sometimes your drive is just going too high (in which case also prob worth trying drop). I know for me sometimes my drops just aren't working almost as often as my drives just because I'm not executing them well (drops/drives too high). I'll use whichever one is working (combo of my execution and opponents ability to respond). If my drives are working, we'll shake and bake. If my drops are working, we'll take out time and reset up. If neither are working, I'll usually drive my 3rd but keep my partner back so we can reset up. Tldr: agree with @okayest that main issue is that Matthews drives weren't effective enough to shake and bake so tanner should have stayed back, not that they shouldn't have hit 3rd shot drives....
All of these players are probably better than me and nearly half a century younger but from the comfort of my armchair, I have a few comments. A 7:24, Matthew hits his 3rd shot drive to the player who is set in the ready position at the NVZ and not the player running to the NVZ. He did the same thing on an earlier rally. The only time your drive should target the player who is set in the ready position at the NVZ is when he is the weaker player. I disagree that it was Tanner's fault for advancing too fast. Matthew should have targeted the advancing player with his drive. Tanner does need to work on shading with his partner when their opponents draw Matthew out to the side. The winning team has excellent shading skills. Matthew tried to attack a ball below the net with a roll volley but when the ball is below your knees, as Rory pointed out, that is just too low to attack.
First, that was some excellent pickleball. I enjoyed seeing the patience on defense, even more so the tactical lobs and of course the Erne. Bit surprised that I didn't see even one tactical poach, especially with all the action in the middle (more about that later).
Second, on the issue of coming up vs. staying back. I admit that I'm guilty of coming up too aggressively. Not as much as some of my partners claim, because often my odds really are much better up than back and I'm very good (for my level) at hitting on the run. Nonetheless, I do get burned, so I'm learning to be more strategic based on the quality of the drop and who I'm facing. It does seem to be working, and watching videos like yours has helped, so thanks for that.
Third, the issue of leaving a gap in the middle is even more interesting to me. Yes, it can create a huge opportunity for opponents. I've capitalized on those myself, as recently as this morning. On the other hand, I've also seen players close up the middle *too* much, leaving themselves vulnerable on the lines. I've capitalized on that too. In the end it's a big chess game, trying to move to wherever you can get a clean shot (or move your opponent to the same effect), and hope that you can take advantage before they do. That's one of my favorite parts of the game right now. So far it seems like the key is reading your opponents, and whoever can do *that* better is likely to prevail.
Thanks Jeff. Very good points. It is a chess game. You've got to figure out your opponent's weaknesses and attack them. Thanks for watching.
its crazy how we can watch tanner pickleball as a way of coaching and then seeing he is just like all of us, human
Even players at the top level make unforced errors. No one is perfect. Thanks for watching.
I watch a lot of Tanner’s video content as well. I believe this was from a year ago, and it also shows how much improvement you can make when you drill consistently on your game. Because he is a much different player today.
@@jeffprai I agree --His rating has skyrocketed over the past year. Fun to see him before it occurred 🙂
This was over a year ago. Aidan Clayton and Tanner are dramatically better today!! In fact two weeks ago at Next Gen St Louis Clayton and Aidan won Gold in both doubles events. Had to beat Jack Munro and Richard Levernese two amazing players to take gold both days:) The kids just keep getting better and!!
There is nothing wrong with either team hitting the 3rd shot drive. The issue is that they are fully committing to the shake and bake which is not a good idea especially when the other teams have good blocks. Non-hitting player should stay back and watch the bounce before deciding if they want to rush in. A 3rd shot drive followed by a 5th shot drop is a much better strategy for most players.
It is. Shake and bake works sometimes. But really, not that often. Thanks for pointing that out.
Don't think you can really generalize one way or the other "3rd shot drive good/bad". Biggest issue I saw was Matthew hitting his drives too high when tanner was baking. That will always get punished at higher levels. Pb is all about matchups. If opponents have slow hands, your advantaged to drive more (if you have wind behind you). Otherwise drop. At higher levels sometimes your drive is just going too high (in which case also prob worth trying drop). I know for me sometimes my drops just aren't working almost as often as my drives just because I'm not executing them well (drops/drives too high). I'll use whichever one is working (combo of my execution and opponents ability to respond). If my drives are working, we'll shake and bake. If my drops are working, we'll take out time and reset up. If neither are working, I'll usually drive my 3rd but keep my partner back so we can reset up.
Tldr: agree with @okayest that main issue is that Matthews drives weren't effective enough to shake and bake so tanner should have stayed back, not that they shouldn't have hit 3rd shot drives....
All of these players are probably better than me and nearly half a century younger but from the comfort of my armchair, I have a few comments.
A 7:24, Matthew hits his 3rd shot drive to the player who is set in the ready position at the NVZ and not the player running to the NVZ. He did the same thing on an earlier rally.
The only time your drive should target the player who is set in the ready position at the NVZ is when he is the weaker player.
I disagree that it was Tanner's fault for advancing too fast. Matthew should have targeted the advancing player with his drive.
Tanner does need to work on shading with his partner when their opponents draw Matthew out to the side.
The winning team has excellent shading skills.
Matthew tried to attack a ball below the net with a roll volley but when the ball is below your knees, as Rory pointed out, that is just too low to attack.
Thanks for your opinion and thanks for pointing that out. Very good observations.
These players are good. A little more experience and some coaching, lookout.
Yes they are. Thanks for watching.