An aggressive third ball option where the serving team drives the ball hard at the opponent rather than dropping it in the kitchen. Best used when a deep serve produces a short return, giving an attacking opportunity.
Recognize the short return — the ball landing in the front half of the court. Step into the ball with weight transfer forward. Drive through with topspin (preferred) or flat pace, targeting the opponent's body or weak side. Against slice returns, the drive "bullies the spin off the ball" by overpowering the backspin with acceleration. Aim higher than normal against backspin. The drive isn't just to win the point outright — it sets up an easier next ball (fifth ball drop).
Ben Johns: "The wrist has a little more variance in terms of its range of motion. So when you use it a lot, it might not always end up exactly where you want it." Hip rotation has almost NO variance — it's a limited, consistent motion. Players using wrist for power get varying heights and directions; players using hip rotation get consistent low drives every time. Fully closed stance is REQUIRED to engage the hips properly — "open stance is a no-no."
Cincola: contact point INSIDE your outside-foot line = the natural kinetic chain (ground → legs → hips → torso → shoulder → arm → paddle) delivers full rotational power. Contact OUTSIDE that line = the paddle must redirect mid-swing, losing rotational power entirely. The fix isn't swing harder — it's move your FEET to place the ball on the power line. Footwork determines power, not arm speed.