Third Shot Drop Explained

A few years ago, not many people had heard of pickleball. Now, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t enjoy playing the game. When people first start playing pickleball, they usually never hear about the “third shot drop.” That is a problem. If the team that is serving wants to get to the kitchen (or non-volley zone) line, they need to hit a 3rd shot drop. I needed to learn how to hit quite a few other pickleball shots, but that drop shot was at the top!

No matter what strategy you use, you have to get to the net. We’re going to help you get there, and we’re going to teach you everything we know about the third shot drop in the process! The third shot drop is that important. If you play in any pickleball games with more than 3 or 4 people, it’s guaranteed you don’t want to be the player that can’t hit a third shot drop. If you need to learn this shot, why not learn it from experts, right? We are not pickleball pros, but we know pros, and we hear what they’re saying about this important pickleball shot!

What is the Third Shot Drop in Pickleball?

The third shot drop is a strategic “turning point” during a rally. After the serve and the return of serve, the third shot drop is the third ball played in the game, hence its name. The goal of the third shot drop is to take away the power advantage of the other player by placing a soft ball (also known as a “drop”) into the kitchen.

What makes the third shot drop different from other shots in pickleball is that the player is not simply trying to hit the ball over the net; the player is trying to hit the ball to a specific point on the other side of the court. It’s about “placement,” not “power.” If the first two shots of the game are about trying to set up an offensive point, the third shot drop is more about a transition strategy. This shot paves the way for you to hopefully transition from a defensive position and strategy to your offensive rally strategy.

Hitting a drop shot is not something that may come naturally to many, especially those that lack playing tennis or racketball experience prior to picking up paddle sports. Practicing this particular shot can improve your game indefinitely by teaching you timing, spin, and improve your skills at transition defense (your drop defense game). Also, typically in a typical rally between three defensively played balls, the serve and return of serve, and the third played ball (the third shot drop) can be a pretty direct “shake-up” of the game. If these first two or these three shots are carried out successfully by the defense party, the defending team will often regain control on their opponents.

Mastering the third shot drop is strategic gold and a difference-maker for new or beginner players compared to more skilled and experienced players. The third shot drop is a powerful weapon, only used to change a rally situation or keep a ball in play. You must consider the “third shot drop” game as its own separate challenge with its own set of strategies and preparations when learning and studying the game.

Why the Third Shot Drop is Crucial for Pickleball Strategy

Undeniably, the third shot drop is a central part of pickleball strategy and it can absolutely change the whole game. This shot happens after the serve, return, and most typically when the ball is still headed up in the air before it bounces. This is called a drop because you just want to ‘drop’ it lightly into the opposition’s non-volley zone and bounce it, in this way neutralizing an opponent’s aggression. Aggressive, fast-paced, hard hitters exist in every game especially in pickleball. Throwing in some drops would slow the other player’s rhythm down and can buy half a second to finish the next move.

The drop shot is a great way to expose some players’ weaknesses if they are not capable of overhead smashes, hitting on the run or low volleys. Apart from that, these players may also do drops intentionally to force the opposition to make a mistake and you can capitalize and strike the winner home. For the players who cannot cope with the high pressure of the game, the drop shot will create a split second for themselves to regroup and hopefully win this point.

How to Execute the Perfect Third Shot Drop

The third shot drop is a crucial technique in pickleball that can significantly enhance your game. To perform this shot effectively, start with your stance. Position your feet shoulder-width apart, with your knees slightly bent to maintain balance. This athletic stance allows for quick lateral movements and prepares you to react to your opponent’s return. Ensure your weight is evenly distributed on the balls of your feet, which will help you pivot and adjust your position as needed.

Next, focus on your grip. A common recommendation is to use the continental grip, which allows for versatility in shot-making. Hold the paddle firmly but not too tightly, as a relaxed grip will enable better control and touch. When preparing to execute the third shot drop, keep your paddle face slightly open. This angle will help you lift the ball gently over the net while maintaining the necessary backspin to keep it low and close to the opponent’s side.

Timing is essential for a successful third shot drop. Ideally, you want to hit the ball just after it bounces, allowing you to gauge its speed and trajectory. As your opponent hits the ball, anticipate their return and position yourself accordingly. The goal is to strike the ball at the peak of its bounce, which will give you the best chance to control the shot. Remember to keep your eye on the ball and your body relaxed to ensure a smooth execution.

Placement is another critical aspect of the third shot drop. Aim for the non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, to force your opponent into a defensive position. A well-placed drop shot can disrupt their rhythm and create opportunities for you to advance to the net. Consider targeting the corners of the kitchen, as this will make it more challenging for your opponent to return the ball effectively.

For beginners, practice is key. Start by working on your stance and grip without the pressure of a game. Use a wall or a partner to practice your drops, focusing on consistency and control. Advanced players can refine their technique by incorporating variations, such as adding spin or adjusting the angle of their paddle. Experimenting with different placements can also help you develop a more strategic approach to the third shot drop.

In conclusion, mastering the third shot drop involves a combination of proper stance, grip, timing, and placement. By focusing on these elements, players of all skill levels can improve their game. Remember to practice regularly and incorporate these tips into your training sessions, and you’ll find that the third shot drop becomes a powerful weapon in your pickleball arsenal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with the Third Shot Drop

If we’re talking about the most important shots in pickleball that make the most difference to winning or losing the rally, the third shot drop is going to be way up there. Yet, the third shot drop is where a lot of players run into trouble. So here are the main errors people make on this critical shot:

• We Hit Too Hard: My sense is that far too many people are still hitting third-shot drives. We don’t want the ball to sail deep. We want a nice soft shot that barely clears the net and stays low and in the kitchen. If there’s too pace on the drop, it’ll behave too much like a drive. This tends to make the ball go too far and then bounce up high enough for the opponent to hit a strong shot. It’s tricky to find the right power and technique to do this perfectly every time. You get a lot of people practicing this shot, and they still have trouble getting the drop shot just right. You would benefit from practicing this for hours.
• Playing Out of Position: If you’re running from the net to the transition zone or baseline, you’ll most likely be trying to hit the drop shot sideways. This isn’t the ideal motion to utilize the drop shot because you won’t get your upper body rotated around in time. Playing from this out-of-position highlights the poor mechanic of getting your body out of position. You’re better off hitting a drive from this position and hitting the next shot a drop shot. If you are planning to use a drop shot while on the run, you’ll pretty much have to practice this shot to know what works. Trying to produce a drop shot when leaning sideways should be avoided.
• Not Thinking: A drop shot can be great but if the opponent is there and waiting, they’ll just send it right back. There are over one hundred elements to a good drop shop and choosing where to hit the ball is one of them. The very idea of “knowing” where your opponent is cannot be stressed enough. Once you hit the drop shot, be ready for their counterattack. If you see your opponent running/leaning/moving the other way and they’re struggling to get to your drop shot, you’ve done your job.

Drills to Improve Your Third Shot Drop

In this drill, you will utilize only half the court. One player begins at the kitchen; the other, at the baseline. The player in the kitchen starts the drill by sending a deep ball to the individual on the baseline. This second player attempts to hit as many third-shot drops as possible in succession, without going out of bounds or hitting the net. Each successful drop they hit counts as a point. If they hit it out of bounds or into the net, they switch places with the person who began in the kitchen. The drill’s primary objective is for the players to work together to reach a total of 20 points scored by the individual at the baseline.

Another drill to practice your third shot drops is to have the same setup as the other drill. Utilize half the court with one player at the kitchen and the other at the transition zone (halfway between the kitchen and the baseline). The player at the kitchen will feed the ball to the other player and the other player will hit a drop shot and take one step towards the kitchen. When this player receives another ball, they’ll hit another drop shot and take another step towards the kitchen. Once they reach the kitchen, they’ll start hitting drop shots and take one step back towards the baseline. This player will continuously move one step from kitchen to baseline and vice versa to practice all types of third shot drops. Once the player has reached the kitchen, the baseline, and back to the middle, the players will switch roles.

Third shot drop mastery summary

Over time, you will increase your skill with positioning and angling. The shot is lobbed at a low angle. Slightly hitting the ball at the net, angling the drop shot literally over the net. All players want the skill to react at a moment’s notice of a fast return. The third shot drop has this principle in mind:

• Players comfortably move to the kitchen.
• The power of the shot has enough force to block.

In pickleball, executing the third shot drop is a pivotal game-changer. This third shot, named as it comes after the serve and return, is where you will be hitting a soft, controlled shot into the other player’s kitchen or non-volley zone. Doing this effectively will give you the ability to douse the flames of an aggressive opponent, and set yourself up for an advantageous shot. This one technique has the highest chance of getting you into an winning scenario and is a primary skill that you need to hone for you to transition from defense to offense.

Many players first starting with this strategy mistake it for a long, drawn-out dink. The ball does not have to get high in the air. The important thing here is about controlling your shot with enough finesse to make sure that it has touch. Getting this ball to land softly inside the kitchen is your main goal.