Stop Trying to Out-Power Them — Win with the Kitchen (Senior Pro Strategy)

In this pickleball lesson, Chris Stanley (Orlando-based senior pro pickleball player) breaks down how to win points against faster, harder-hitting opponents by playing smarter—not harder. If you’re tired of getting rushed by bangers or losing hand battles you “should” win, this video gives you a repeatable, low-risk game plan built around getting to the kitchen (Non-Volley Zone) and controlling the rally with placement, disguise, and a reliable soft game. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Build a “High-IQ” strategy that prioritizes position and patterns over raw power ✅ Use the 3rd shot drop to earn your way to the kitchen (and why the “dead” drop gets attacked) ✅ Add topspin to your 3rd shot drop so it stays lower and becomes harder to speed up ✅ Mix in a 60% placement drive (instead of a 100% rip) to set up an easier 5th shot and transition forward ✅ Decide when to drive vs. drop vs. dink vs. lob based on the rally and your opponent’s court position ✅ Disguise a dink-to-lob to the opposite corner—aiming at the typical backhand on the right side ✅ Hit unattackable dinks (including topspin dinks) that invite weaker speed-ups and easier counters This lesson is perfect for competitive recreational players who want a smarter playbook, more consistency, and better results against athletic opponents—without relying on speed. What’s giving you the most trouble right now—3rd shot drops, transition zone resets, or dinking under pressure? Comment your #1 struggle and what kind of lesson you want next. * Buy CRBN paddles with 10% discount using PBALLPIRATES code: https://crbnpickleball.com/discount/pballpirates?rfsn=6451222.1c00da&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=6451222.1c00da * Get $40 gift card buying Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik with code INF-PIRATES: https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-labs-project-boomstik?variant=42910207148134&sca_ref=2426727.vWwjXVJ5xM&sca_source=Game * Use code PIRATES for 10% OFF R.E.D. Paddle by Robust Pickleball: https://www.robustpickleball.com/products/the-r-e-d-cliffpickleball-signature-paddle?ref=THEPICKLEBALLPIRATES * Get a perfect drill partner - Titan ball machine: $100 OFF each order from the link: https://titanballmachines.com/?sca_ref=4985103.K3j1Z9oh2j * Wear eye protection! 10% OFF with code PBALLPIRATES https://crbnpickleball.com/products/best-pickleball-glasses?rfsn=6451222.1c00da&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=6451222.1c00da * Improve your Pickleball skills: use code PIRATES for first month 10% OFF and FREE trial for Pickleball Drills app: https://pballdrills.app/?via=pirates 00:00 Intro: why “smart pickleball” beats pure power 00:35 The High-IQ mindset: protect the middle + win the kitchen 00:55 Core pattern: 3rd shot drop + follow it in 01:08 The 60% drive: placement over pace to earn the 5th shot 01:40 The “safe” drop (and why it gets attacked at higher levels) 02:02 Upgrade the drop: topspin 3rd shot drop mechanics 03:05 Shot selection IQ: drive vs drop vs dink vs lob 03:20 Disguised lob to the opposite corner (target the right-side backhand) 04:04 Unattackable dinks + when to speed up (and when not to) 04:34 Summary + consistency tips to level up fast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PickleballPirates TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepickleballpirates Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballpirate/ #pickleball #pickleballdrills #pickleballlessons #pickleballtips #pickleballseniorpro #seniorpickleball #pickleballstrategy Source: The Pickleball Pirates

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