# Chapter 8 - How to Drive

> **Recommended Level**: 3.0+ · Fundamental offensive weapon — primary focus at 3.0 level

The drive is one of the most common techniques to attack. Especially in singles, drive is often the key to win the game.

In the singles, you can use drive to mobilize the opponents, and in the doubles game, you can use drive to attack or transit to the next shot. A high-quality drive can even score directly.

## 8.1 What is Drive

Drive is the action of hitting the ball quickly after it bounces up, to make the ball flies forward fast, and force the opponent to return the ball in a short time.

Similar to serving, you kick the ground, rotate the waist, swing the upper arm, then drive the forearm and tighten your fingers to whip the ball at high speed.

![Drive Shot](/files/KNivs0EddwTREtfLqR9l)

Based on where you hit the ball, the Drive can be roughly divided into the **Back-court Drive**, the **Middle-court Drive**, and the **Near-net Drive**.

![Drive Target Areas](/files/hul2oivTD3fIUW7oOJv0)

* **Back-court Drive**: The back-court Drive is to hit the ball from the back court, usually for transition to prepare the next shot or let the opponents run. Pay attention do not let the ball pass the net very high, in case the opponent can block easily.
* **Middle-court Drive**: The middle-court Drive is an attack or transition by hitting when the opponent returns the ball to the midfield and it bounces high. The general target is the opposing near-net area or midfield.
* **Near-net Drive**: The near-net is to attack the ball by hitting the ball when the opponent's return ball bounces high. Pay attention do not let the ball go out.

## 8.2 When to Use Drive

When the ball bounces high, and the opponent does not form an effective near-net block, you can try to Drive the ball.

The first purpose of driving the ball is to mobilize the opponent, or make the opponent to return the ball in a hurry, so as to score a point or form a chance for the next shot.

### Drive vs. Drop: How to Choose

The most common in-game dilemma is "should I drive or drop?" This quick-reference table helps you decide:

| Situation                                    | Recommended Shot              | Why                                                                          |
| -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Opponents at the net, ball bounces high      | Drive (at the body or gap)    | A high ball is an attack opportunity — drives are fast and cut reaction time |
| Opponents at the net, ball stays low         | Drop / Dink                   | Low drives tend to pop up and get punished — a soft shot is safer            |
| You're at the baseline, opponents at the net | Mostly drop, occasional drive | Drops help you advance; drives disrupt rhythm or surprise                    |
| Both sides at the baseline                   | Drive                         | With both teams back, drives contest for initiative                          |
| Leading in score                             | Favor steady drops            | Minimize errors — let the opponent make mistakes                             |
| Trailing in score                            | Mix in more drives            | You need to change the pace and create scoring opportunities                 |

Core principle: **Ball high → drive. Ball low → drop.** When in doubt, the drop is usually the safer choice.

## 8.3 Master Drive

The most important thing in driving the ball is to hit the ball in front of you, to hit the ball with a stable body, and to hit the ball when the ball is near the top of its trajectory. Another thing is to take advantage of the whip, and release the whole body's power into turning the waist through the stable hitting surface formed by the hand.

It should be noted that the surface of the Pickleball and paddle is relatively smooth. In most cases, the Drive should be based on hitting, supplemented by rotation. In addition, the ball should not be too high when it passes the net. It is the best to let the ball fall quickly to restrict the opponent's return route.

The backhand is basically symmetrical with the forehand. Try to hit with one hand to have more space to generate power and send the ball with a wider angular range. If you do not have enough power using one backhand, you can use both hands to hit the back hand shot in a shorter movement, which can stabilize the paddle.

In doubles, the Drive can generally target the space between players, or the gap of defense. When the opponent's defensive ability is weak, you can also deliberately hit the ball to the body (such as the shoulder of the holding paddle side), causing the opponent to make mistakes.

In singles, the Drive should mainly aim at the opponent's defense gap, and the gesture should be as small as possible, in order to prevent the opponent from predicting easily.

## 8.4 Training Methods

The Drive can be trained through the following steps:

* Multi-ball practice: The assistant staff throws the ball to the hitting player, and the player hits the ball into the designated target area after it bounces up, and the ball should not go too high over the net. There should be no less than 50 consecutive draws each time, and no less than 10 sets of exercises every day. You can practice hitting the ball to different positions on the court later.
* Returning practice: The assistant staff and players practice driving the ball together. First practice at a fixed location, and then free practice with a larger area. There should be no less than 50 consecutive draws each time, and no less than 10 sets of exercises every day. **Advanced Practice Drills:**
* **Drive on the move**: Partner randomly feeds balls to left and right sides. Player moves to position before hitting the drive. Focus on getting set before striking, not hitting while running. 20 balls per set, 3 sets daily.
* **Power gradient drill**: Hit to the same target at 50%, 70%, and 90% power. Feel the difference in ball control at varying intensities—develop the ability to dial power up and down at will.
* **Drive and follow**: After hitting a baseline drive, immediately advance 2-3 steps toward the net, simulating the match rhythm of driving then approaching.
* **Competitive baseline rally**: Two players rally drives from the baseline. One attacks, the other defends. Switch roles every 5 balls. The defender focuses on resetting fast drives into drops or lobs.


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