There are a few things in pickleball that
There are a few things in pickleball that

have caused more controversy than the new provisional dropped serve.
have caused more controversy than the new provisional dropped serve.

Now you should use it.
Now you should use it.

When should you use it?
When should you use it?

And what are some of the best techniques for making it effective?
And what are some of the best techniques for making it effective?

Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.

Everybody, it's C.J. Johnson, welcome to Better Pickleball, where we're focused on
Everybody, it's C.J. Johnson, welcome to Better Pickleball, where we're focused on

helping players over 50 lives, their best lives on and off the pickleball court.
helping players over 50 lives, their best lives on and off the pickleball court.

Last week, Tony Roy and I did a webinar
Last week, Tony Roy and I did a webinar

for a VP pick of our membership talking all about the serve,
for a VP pick of our membership talking all about the serve,

what you need to do to make it consistent, how to overcome the yips and of course,
what you need to do to make it consistent, how to overcome the yips and of course,

the drop serve today in this video, we're going to be covering the drop served.
the drop serve today in this video, we're going to be covering the drop served.

Now you're going to want to make sure to
Now you're going to want to make sure to

stay around till the end, where we're going to share a special link to a video
stay around till the end, where we're going to share a special link to a video

that we've done for our VEI Pickleball members.
that we've done for our VEI Pickleball members.

So you can see exactly what you need to do to make the drop serve a great serve.
So you can see exactly what you need to do to make the drop serve a great serve.

All right.
All right.

You ready to go?
You ready to go?

A drop sort of, you know, I'm all about the drops of C.J..
A drop sort of, you know, I'm all about the drops of C.J..

OK. All right, well, I'm going to start the
OK. All right, well, I'm going to start the

job search because I got to tell you, I'm not sure either.
job search because I got to tell you, I'm not sure either.

It's not like I've been involved in pickleball forever.
It's not like I've been involved in pickleball forever.

But I can certainly say
But I can certainly say

this has been one of the more
this has been one of the more

controversial things that I've seen come up in that point in time.
controversial things that I've seen come up in that point in time.

And if you do have questions about the
And if you do have questions about the

drops of rules, make sure that you check out our YouTube channels.
drops of rules, make sure that you check out our YouTube channels.

We did a in fact, we did it for V.I. Pickleball members.
We did a in fact, we did it for V.I. Pickleball members.

We had Don Stanley, our favorite rules
We had Don Stanley, our favorite rules

afficionado, was on talking about this before a month before I came.
afficionado, was on talking about this before a month before I came.

Well, we did this webinar before Christmas.
Well, we did this webinar before Christmas.

He called us up and said, it's going live. Let's talk about it.
He called us up and said, it's going live. Let's talk about it.

So we did.
So we did.

But so in any event, it's controversial, right?
But so in any event, it's controversial, right?

Yeah, we know it.
Yeah, we know it.

So a couple of things.
So a couple of things.

Let's talk about what the the the purpose
Let's talk about what the the the purpose

was and really how this survey came to be before we get into the ifs and the whens
was and really how this survey came to be before we get into the ifs and the whens

of the drops or so for those of you who don't know.
of the drops or so for those of you who don't know.

So Steve Paronto, who a pickleball hall of
So Steve Paronto, who a pickleball hall of

Famer and like you said, he's been texting with Tony recently.
Famer and like you said, he's been texting with Tony recently.

He's a pickleball hall of Famer.
He's a pickleball hall of Famer.

He has been campaigning for this for a long time now.
He has been campaigning for this for a long time now.

The reason why is because of
The reason why is because of

he fancied simplified the serve rules. Right.
he fancied simplified the serve rules. Right.

Right now, we have three different set of rules that cover a legal serve.
Right now, we have three different set of rules that cover a legal serve.

We certainly know those sort of rules are controversial.
We certainly know those sort of rules are controversial.

Right, Tony? And I get asked about that all the time.
Right, Tony? And I get asked about that all the time.

Right. What do you do when somebody, you know,
Right. What do you do when somebody, you know,

has a little legal serve and they're denying it?
has a little legal serve and they're denying it?

So we know that they're pretty controversial.
So we know that they're pretty controversial.

So Steve's idea was by using this drop
So Steve's idea was by using this drop

serve, all that had to happen was it visibly dropped the ball.
serve, all that had to happen was it visibly dropped the ball.

Then the other three rules that were currently under are out the window.
Then the other three rules that were currently under are out the window.

OK, now.
OK, now.

He also said he's been using this for a long time and that he saw no significant
He also said he's been using this for a long time and that he saw no significant

advantage to this serve, really just more of a simplification of the rules.
advantage to this serve, really just more of a simplification of the rules.

So that's how it came to be.
So that's how it came to be.

And according to what Don Stanley told us,
And according to what Don Stanley told us,

he told us that, hey, we decided we'd give it a try.
he told us that, hey, we decided we'd give it a try.

This is provisional for a year, right?
This is provisional for a year, right?

This is not like set in stone.
This is not like set in stone.

So it is provisional for a year based on what happens.
So it is provisional for a year based on what happens.

So, Tony, have you got some video for us or what?
So, Tony, have you got some video for us or what?

What have you got for us?
What have you got for us?

I do in a minute.
I do in a minute.

But before we get into that, you know, I just I think one of the great concerns out
But before we get into that, you know, I just I think one of the great concerns out

there, T.J., about the drop sort of is that it's going to change the game.
there, T.J., about the drop sort of is that it's going to change the game.

Right.
Right.

People think that it's going to basically revolutionize the game.
People think that it's going to basically revolutionize the game.

And from for me, from where I send my jury is still out on that.
And from for me, from where I send my jury is still out on that.

Right.
Right.

I'll give you, like you mentioned, that Steve was texting me.
I'll give you, like you mentioned, that Steve was texting me.

And it was interesting.
And it was interesting.

He was talking about the World Pickleball championships are going on right now.
He was talking about the World Pickleball championships are going on right now.

And they played the pro men played singles today.
And they played the pro men played singles today.

Right.
Right.

So these are 20 something year old, mostly 30 some, but playing singles.
So these are 20 something year old, mostly 30 some, but playing singles.

Right.
Right.

And he said that he did not see the drops are being utilized offensively.
And he said that he did not see the drops are being utilized offensively.

And if you're going to use it offensively, if there's one place to use
And if you're going to use it offensively, if there's one place to use

the sort of offensively, it's definitely in singles conversation for another day,
the sort of offensively, it's definitely in singles conversation for another day,

the difference between a single serve and a double serve.
the difference between a single serve and a double serve.

But it's definitely more aggressive in singles and doubles.
But it's definitely more aggressive in singles and doubles.

And so that gave me some hope that that maybe it won't change the game.
And so that gave me some hope that that maybe it won't change the game.

My view of the sort of was that I'm OK
My view of the sort of was that I'm OK

with Steve's idea about getting away from the rule, arguments
with Steve's idea about getting away from the rule, arguments

about, you know, did you hit it above your waist, whatever.
about, you know, did you hit it above your waist, whatever.

I actually liked it because I thought it
I actually liked it because I thought it

was going to be helpful to beginner players
was going to be helpful to beginner players

to kind of take away some of the
to kind of take away some of the

difficulty of you never played a racquets for before and you don't have the timing
difficulty of you never played a racquets for before and you don't have the timing

of dropping the ball and hitting it that it would help those players.
of dropping the ball and hitting it that it would help those players.

So the jury's still out for me. I'm going to say this.
So the jury's still out for me. I'm going to say this.

My, my I will probably make a decision
My, my I will probably make a decision

after the February PDPA here in Tampa where the pros are going to play.
after the February PDPA here in Tampa where the pros are going to play.

That gives them a whole month to really get into it.
That gives them a whole month to really get into it.

So I think that's going to be the thing.
So I think that's going to be the thing.

And I didn't you have I think you had a conversation with with Tyson Magoffin.
And I didn't you have I think you had a conversation with with Tyson Magoffin.

Did he talk about it at the summit you were on, right?
Did he talk about it at the summit you were on, right?

We did, yeah.
We did, yeah.

Some of that Daddy and I had and
Some of that Daddy and I had and

we asked Tyson, as many of you may know,
we asked Tyson, as many of you may know,

Tyson had has one of the best serves in pickleball.
Tyson had has one of the best serves in pickleball.

I mean, it's it's a fantastic serve.
I mean, it's it's a fantastic serve.

He has one of the best serves.
He has one of the best serves.

And I asked him right out, are you going to be using the drop serve?
And I asked him right out, are you going to be using the drop serve?

And in fact, this was just a couple of
And in fact, this was just a couple of

days after the rule was was already in play.
days after the rule was was already in play.

And his answer was, no, not at this point
And his answer was, no, not at this point

in time, that he didn't necessarily rule it out for the future.
in time, that he didn't necessarily rule it out for the future.

But he said, right now I have an effective serve for my game.
But he said, right now I have an effective serve for my game.

And that's kind of what we're telling you, right?
And that's kind of what we're telling you, right?

We're telling you.
We're telling you.

And no one is get a consistent serve first.
And no one is get a consistent serve first.

If you already have an effective serve,
If you already have an effective serve,

then maybe and we'll talk about that in just a minute.
then maybe and we'll talk about that in just a minute.

But if the best players in the world right now aren't going to use it,
But if the best players in the world right now aren't going to use it,

well, we got to pick and choose when we should put this into our games, because,
well, we got to pick and choose when we should put this into our games, because,

frankly, we're not pickleball for professionals.
frankly, we're not pickleball for professionals.

We're we're spending the time out on the
We're we're spending the time out on the

courts that Tyson McGuffin is or anybody else.
courts that Tyson McGuffin is or anybody else.

So if you've got limited time to be out on
So if you've got limited time to be out on

the courts, we kind of feel that your if you've got a consistent serve, your time
the courts, we kind of feel that your if you've got a consistent serve, your time

is probably better spent working on different skills.
is probably better spent working on different skills.

So zamili in skill, CJ, that we can work
So zamili in skill, CJ, that we can work

on before we get into that, adding that unless unless you need it.
on before we get into that, adding that unless unless you need it.

If you need it. Fantastic.
If you need it. Fantastic.

So C.J., I got a little bit of video here. You're ready for it.
So C.J., I got a little bit of video here. You're ready for it.

I am ready for some video.
I am ready for some video.

Please, let's turn it on.
Please, let's turn it on.

So what we're going to do now is we're going to show you all basically
So what we're going to do now is we're going to show you all basically

we've told the idea when to use the drop surface, particularly if you if you need
we've told the idea when to use the drop surface, particularly if you if you need

it to to help your game because your serve is an issue.
it to to help your game because your serve is an issue.

But here we're going to show you give you a couple of tips on the specific on the
But here we're going to show you give you a couple of tips on the specific on the

draw serve and on improving the drop serve.
draw serve and on improving the drop serve.

Thought that was playing out. Here you go.
Thought that was playing out. Here you go.

So the drop serve at the end of the day, right.
So the drop serve at the end of the day, right.

Is basically just a groundstrokes, right?
Is basically just a groundstrokes, right?

It's just a ground stroke.
It's just a ground stroke.

All you're doing is hitting the ball off
All you're doing is hitting the ball off

of balance, just like you would on a return reserve serve.
of balance, just like you would on a return reserve serve.

So there's there's some people think that,
So there's there's some people think that,

like, it might be better to toss it up higher.
like, it might be better to toss it up higher.

Right, because or not toss it. I'm sorry.
Right, because or not toss it. I'm sorry.

Drop it from high.
Drop it from high.

So it should be high drop, but high drop from up there.
So it should be high drop, but high drop from up there.

Right. But basically
Right. But basically

the problem with the high drop is it's going to be too close to my body.
the problem with the high drop is it's going to be too close to my body.

So we recommend if you're going to use the
So we recommend if you're going to use the

drop, the drops, are that you that you drop it from on the right there, the forty
drop, the drops, are that you that you drop it from on the right there, the forty

five degree angle, that 45 degree angle is going to provide the optimal drop.
five degree angle, that 45 degree angle is going to provide the optimal drop.

So you see how it drops in front of my
So you see how it drops in front of my

foot, allowing me to basically rotate into it and hit it.
foot, allowing me to basically rotate into it and hit it.

The high tauzer on the high drop, it's too
The high tauzer on the high drop, it's too

close to my my body and ends up jamming me.
close to my my body and ends up jamming me.

So the ball's too close and you're going
So the ball's too close and you're going

to see as I swing, it's going to be similar to.
to see as I swing, it's going to be similar to.

What we talked about for the YIPES, I have to bend in my elbow there on the left
What we talked about for the YIPES, I have to bend in my elbow there on the left

in order to get on, get to hit that ball, and whereas on the right I can extend my
in order to get on, get to hit that ball, and whereas on the right I can extend my

arm, which is what I want to do to be able to hit the serve here.
arm, which is what I want to do to be able to hit the serve here.

We're going to see the far torso.
We're going to see the far torso.

This to be the other side, which would be too far from my body now.
This to be the other side, which would be too far from my body now.

So now the ball's going to be a little bit
So now the ball's going to be a little bit

too far away and then I have to reach reach away as I hit it.
too far away and then I have to reach reach away as I hit it.

And that's not going to be optimal.
And that's not going to be optimal.

So at the end of the day, the best one is
So at the end of the day, the best one is

going to be on the right there, which is a forty five degree angle on the drop.
going to be on the right there, which is a forty five degree angle on the drop.

So that's the optimal toss.
So that's the optimal toss.

We show it to you there.
We show it to you there.

You can move it a little bit left or right, but basically it's about forty five
You can move it a little bit left or right, but basically it's about forty five

degrees is going to be the best spot from which to drop it.
degrees is going to be the best spot from which to drop it.

And then ball should balance in front of
And then ball should balance in front of

you, allowing you to execute a nice stroke out in front with your arm extended.
you, allowing you to execute a nice stroke out in front with your arm extended.

Now there is a variation to this, which is
Now there is a variation to this, which is

if you need a little more depth on your serve.
if you need a little more depth on your serve.

Right. So there's your regular speed.
Right. So there's your regular speed.

Right.
Right.

So if you need a little more depth on your serve it back it up.
So if you need a little more depth on your serve it back it up.

So if you need a little more depth on your serve.
So if you need a little more depth on your serve.

Right, basically what you're going to do is you're going to drop the ball out.
Right, basically what you're going to do is you're going to drop the ball out.

So I showed you the far reaching out drop as opposed to the forty five degree drop.
So I showed you the far reaching out drop as opposed to the forty five degree drop.

If you want to get more depth on your
If you want to get more depth on your

serve, you can step forward into your serve while you execute it.
serve, you can step forward into your serve while you execute it.

So here you're going to see that I'm going to drop it out in front.
So here you're going to see that I'm going to drop it out in front.

That allows me to then take a step back there before I hit it.
That allows me to then take a step back there before I hit it.

That allows me to hit a deeper serve.
That allows me to hit a deeper serve.

And now I'm going to show it to you from the end so you can get a sense of it.
And now I'm going to show it to you from the end so you can get a sense of it.

Actually, I think the survey is out, but it shows you how deep you can hit it.
Actually, I think the survey is out, but it shows you how deep you can hit it.

Right on the other side.
Right on the other side.

I step and hit and you can see how deep that serve is, right.
I step and hit and you can see how deep that serve is, right.

That serves about three inches out, but it shows you how deep you can get it.
That serves about three inches out, but it shows you how deep you can get it.

So the drops are the most important thing about the drop surface right now.
So the drops are the most important thing about the drop surface right now.

Anyway, I know some of you are adopting it and using it offensively.
Anyway, I know some of you are adopting it and using it offensively.

They've been working for you. Knock yourself out.
They've been working for you. Knock yourself out.

That's awesome. Do it.
That's awesome. Do it.

But otherwise, right.
But otherwise, right.

If there's other parts of your game, you
If there's other parts of your game, you

can work on returning to serve third child, things like that.
can work on returning to serve third child, things like that.

Work on those things, bring the drop.
Work on those things, bring the drop.

So bring your game right now only if you need it.
So bring your game right now only if you need it.

Drop from a forty five degree.
Drop from a forty five degree.

If you're not really sure where to do it, drop from a forty five degree.
If you're not really sure where to do it, drop from a forty five degree.

And if you need a little more depth drop from basically straight out in front
And if you need a little more depth drop from basically straight out in front

position, allowing you to step in and hit that ball deeper.
position, allowing you to step in and hit that ball deeper.

Awesome. I know we've got a couple of questions
Awesome. I know we've got a couple of questions

coming on the drop survey so you can put those in the Q&A and when we get to the
coming on the drop survey so you can put those in the Q&A and when we get to the

end of this, we will get your questions answered.
end of this, we will get your questions answered.

You know, just a couple of thoughts.
You know, just a couple of thoughts.

Again, if you have some questions on the
Again, if you have some questions on the

Rules of the job survey, it's really pretty simple.
Rules of the job survey, it's really pretty simple.

It has to be the drop has to be visible to your opponents.
It has to be the drop has to be visible to your opponents.

And then after that, the other three serving rules are no longer in effect.
And then after that, the other three serving rules are no longer in effect.

You still have to be behind the line. That still has to.
You still have to be behind the line. That still has to.

And inside the sideline, that still is exactly the same.
And inside the sideline, that still is exactly the same.

But those other three rules are no longer in effect.
But those other three rules are no longer in effect.

So, in essence, it really does simplify it.
So, in essence, it really does simplify it.

But, you know, I kind of go back to what let's see what happens.
But, you know, I kind of go back to what let's see what happens.

And if you need it, use it.
And if you need it, use it.

And if you're using it effectively. Great.
And if you're using it effectively. Great.

More power to my suggestion to you is, if you already have that deep, consistent
More power to my suggestion to you is, if you already have that deep, consistent

serve and it's back in the box, we both think that you could probably win
serve and it's back in the box, we both think that you could probably win

more rallies by focusing on other areas of your game.
more rallies by focusing on other areas of your game.

That's what we would say to that one.
That's what we would say to that one.

So what we'd love to know, we'd love to know.
So what we'd love to know, we'd love to know.

Do you plan to primarily use the dropsondes?
Do you plan to primarily use the dropsondes?

Let's say it's a good question, good question.
Let's say it's a good question, good question.

I have another question I want to ask, T.J., so let me know when I can.
I have another question I want to ask, T.J., so let me know when I can.

Oh, gosh, she's always throwing me curveballs.
Oh, gosh, she's always throwing me curveballs.

I want to see if everybody likes this
I want to see if everybody likes this

because I thought it was good and you weren't crazy about it.
because I thought it was good and you weren't crazy about it.

So I'm going to I want to pull. I want to.
So I'm going to I want to pull. I want to.

Poller or attendee's.
Poller or attendee's.

OK, so here's here's here's what you got to do.
OK, so here's here's here's what you got to do.

So you're going to adopt the drop serve.
So you're going to adopt the drop serve.

That's fine, right?
That's fine, right?

So you get on on the court and you kind of go
So you get on on the court and you kind of go

and then you go.
and then you go.

There's a new survey in town.
There's a new survey in town.

You like that or not, is that good? Not good.
You like that or not, is that good? Not good.

I think it's kind of funny. I think I think it works.
I think it's kind of funny. I think I think it works.

There's a new suburban town. Get it now.
There's a new suburban town. Get it now.

Larry.
Larry.