Three Pickleball Shots Every Recreational Player Must Learn

The lob handles defense, the drop volley finishes points with touch, and the ATP gives you an escape route when you're in trouble.

If you've been grinding through recreational pickleball matches and feeling like something's missing from your toolkit, Jordan Briones from Briones Pickleball has the answer.

In a recent video, he breaks down three essential shots that can transform how you play: the lob, the drop volley, and the ATP (around the post).

These aren't flashy power moves, but they're the kind of smart, strategic shots that separate players who win consistently from those who just show up to hit.

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The Lob: Your Secret Defensive Weapon

The lob is one of the most underrated shots in recreational pickleball, and that's exactly why it works so well.

When your opponents are pressuring you at the kitchen line, a well-placed lob can completely flip the momentum of the point. The beauty of this shot is that it buys you time and forces your opponents to reset their positioning.

The key to executing a good lob comes down to two things: height and depth. You want to hit it high enough that your opponents can't attack it on the volley, but deep enough that they can't run around it and put away an overhead.

Think of it as creating space for yourself when you're in a tight spot. It's a defensive move that doesn't feel defensive because it actually puts pressure back on your opponents.

The Drop Volley: Finesse Over Power

If the lob is about buying time, the drop volley is about finishing points with touch. This is a finesse shot that requires control and feel at the net. When your opponent hits a soft ball and you're already at the kitchen line, instead of driving it hard, you drop it just over the net into their kitchen.

The drop volley is all about taking pace off the ball and placing it precisely. It keeps your opponents guessing about what you're going to do next and prevents them from settling into a rhythm. It's especially effective when you've already won the net position and just need to put the ball away without overcomplicating things.

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The ATP: The Advanced Play That Catches Everyone Off Guard

The ATP, or around the post shot, is where things get interesting. This is a legal but advanced shot where you hit the ball around the net post instead of over it. It's perfect for those wide balls that pull you off the court at an extreme angle.

Instead of trying to hit a difficult shot over the net from an awkward position, you take it around the post and put it away. It's not something you'll use every match, but when the situation calls for it, it's a real weapon. The key is recognizing when you're too far off the court to hit a conventional shot and having the confidence to go around the post instead.

Putting It All Together

These three shots work together to give you options in different situations. The lob handles defense, the drop volley finishes points with touch, and the ATP gives you an escape route when you're in trouble. None of them require explosive athleticism or power. They're about smart positioning, court awareness, and knowing which tool to use when.

The real takeaway here is that pickleball rewards consistency, placement, and intelligent shot selection. Master these three shots through regular practice, and you'll see immediate improvement in your match play. You don't need to hit harder or run faster; you just need to be smarter about where you put the ball.