As Sun Tzu Says...

 Spring had come to the monastery and the courts had been repainted, the nets repaired and the masters and acolytes were getting ready for some outside play.  But first, of course, was the grounding in theory for the next year.  The Master was discussing life, forehands, and the inelegance of lobbing -- the standard lecture for eager players.

"What is the essence of pickleball?" asked the Master.  Mo raised his hand.

"Yes, Mo, please enlighten us," said the Master.

"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women," said Mo. 

"Mo, there will be no more movie night for you for a month," said the Master.  A stern expression on his face.  "What does Sun Tzu tell us about war?"

Po spoke up, "To always fight from the high ground and not from the swamp."

"Correct, Po, but I am not sure about the swamp part...  But the high ground is most useful to Pickleball.  What, Po, is the high ground in Pickleball?"

"Master, the high ground must be the kitchen line.  He who controls that, controls the point."

"Yes, Po, that is correct.  From the kitchen line, all things are possible - deep shots, angle shots, drop shots -- and thankfully, not lobs.  Classical pickleball theory espouses that the aim of every point is to get to the kitchen line.

"When is this hard to do?"

"Master, it can be difficult when serving and not having a useful third shot," said Mo, trying to get his movie privileges back.

"Good, Mo.  And what is the current theory of the proper third shot?"

"There are two current theories, Master, the traditional drop third, or the more modern, drive third, drop fifth."

"Yes, Mo, it heartens me to see you have paid attention to your studies.  Why is the drive and drop strategy favored in these modern times?"  The Master's voice sounded somewhat satirical as he said "modern times."

"The thought is that a drop is a difficult shot, seldom practiced, and perhaps only for masters.  While many can drive the ball, step into the court and then had an easier drop from the fifth shot."

The Master lapsed into introspection.  Perhaps almost a dream of the times, simpler, when the classical game flourished and the new players were still in grammar school.  With a jolt, or perhaps a shudder, the Master returned to the present day.  He looked over the players sitting before him.  Perhaps, he thought, there would be some players who might extend the understanding of the game given enough time on the court and time spent in contemplation...

"What, Mo, is the beauty of a drop third shot?"

"Well, Master, I guess when the drop is good or perfect, then the enemies scatter before us?"

"Ah, I see where your earlier comment originated and where it now reappears.  I restore your movie privileges.  And a good description of what a drop third will do.  Yes, many players are happy to defend a drive, but weep like a small child when the ball is bouncing around his feet."

"Know this students, if you wish to excel, then the path to enlightenment is found in the soft game and not at pace.  And, since this is a serious class, we will not mention lobbing, the defense to lobbing, lobbing for beginners, drop shots after a lob, footwork for lobs and the humorous topic of how to fall after chasing down a lob.  Do not go there students, you have a life in front of you and do not go down the dark side."

"Class dismissed."