In this episode of The Pickleball Lab Coaching Podcast, Josh and Elliott tackle the tactical nuances of winning volley battles, identifying specifically why many players lose the hand battle the moment they speed the ball up. You’ll learn how to identify the "chicken wing" and "extended" target zones that actually win points, rather than hitting into your opponent's sweet spots. From there, they pivot to the mental game—discussing why third-shot drops often vanish during real match play compared to drills, and how to inject "competitive pressure" into your practice sessions to bridge that gap. Beyond the baseline, the episode breaks down overhead power, offering a tips on how to move, position, and follow through on lobs so they don’t end up in the bottom of the net. Josh and Elliott also go head-to-head in a rare disagreement over whether stacking is a "must-have" or a "faux pas" for rec players under 4.0. Whether you're a solo driller looking for wall-drill hacks or a doubles partner trying to decide if you should switch sides, this episode provides the technical cues and strategic mindset needed to level up. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Speed-Up Target Zones: Why you should avoid the chest and forehand, and how to aim for the "chicken wing" and extended wings to win volley battles. - The Post-Speed-Up Combo: How to stop "admiring your shot" and instead keep your paddle up to prepare for the inevitable counter-attack. - The Drill-to-Game Disconnect: Strategies for making your practice more "pressure-immune" by using realistic feeds and competitive stakes. - Overhead Mastery: Technical cues for reading lobs early, using your off-hand to track the ball, and the importance of a full follow-through for power. - Solo Reset Practice: How to use a wall to build touch and absorption, even when you don't have a partner or a ball machine. - The Stacking Debate: The pros and cons of stacking at the intermediate level, especially when playing with a left-handed partner. - Footwork for Lobs: Why you should turn and run back instead of shuffling, and how to find the "strike zone" for high-contact points. - And more! Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:14 Winning Speed Ups: Avoiding the Wrong Spots & Hitting the Right Ones 02:26 Why Drops Sometimes Work in Drills but Not in Games 04:36 Intro Contest Results & The Business of Good Vibes 06:21 Overhead Power: How to Put Away Lobs Without Hitting the Net 08:53 Solo Training Hacks: Can You Actually Practice Resets on a Wall? 11:58 Is Stacking Worth It Below 4.0? The Great Rec Play Debate 14:15 Outro: How to Get Your Questions Answered & more Join the Community: Have a question you want us to answer on the next pod? Drop it in the comments below or join us over at https://pickleballlab.co/ and post it there! Level up your game with The Lab, the only pickleball community that combines structured video lessons, specific practice plans, and direct coaching feedback to help you truly get better at the game: https://pickleballlab.co/ Listen on the go: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Search "The Pickleball Lab" to subscribe.