The pickleball third shot drop is your best third shot option in most situations. For players looking to advance to the 3.5+ skill level, mastering this shot is essential to advancing your game. Consistency and precision in executing the third shot drop levels the playing field against strong opponents.
What is the Pickleball Third Shot Drop?
The illustration below shows a third shot drop hit to the middle of the court between the 2 defenders.
The third shot drop is a soft, controlled stroke that barely clears the net and lands in your opponents’ kitchen zone. A good drop shot forces your opponents to respond with a dink or an upward swing motion, limiting their ability to smash or volley aggressively.
Key characteristics of the third shot drop:
- It just clears the net and drops into your opponent’s kitchen area.
- A well-placed drop shot bounces below net height, making it difficult for opponents to drive effectively. A high drop shot may just clear the net but if it bounces too high, your opponent will attack it. If it bounces at net height or lower and they try this, they are likely to make a mistake. They may hit it into the net, pop it up or drive it too hard and out of bounds. These are mistakes you are looking for and why the drop shot is so effective.
- A good third shot drop creates an opportunity to transition to the kitchen line, where you need to be and where the game is often won.
The third shot drop slows the game down and neutralizes opponents who are already positioned at the kitchen line.
Why Use the Third Shot Drop?
Strong opponents are already at the kitchen line after the serve is returned, giving them the upper hand. The third shot drop slows the game and allows you to transition forward, leveling the playing field. This shot is the only reliable way to advance to the kitchen line while slowing down the point. If you are always attacking with drives, you may cause errors or popups but good players will counter your drives more easily than if you hit a good third shot drop.
Best time to use the Drop Shot
It’s most always a good idea to use the third shot drop. Counterintuitively, the best time to use this shot is often when your opponent hits a deep, lofted return.
Driving the ball on a deep return often gives your opponents an easy volley or block, especially if they are already at the kitchen line. Drives from deep on the court slow down as they travel, making them easier to defend.
A drop shot from deep that lands in the kitchen, disarms your opponent and allows you to advance.
Driving the Ball on a Short Return of Serve
While the third shot drop is your go-to shot, there are exceptions. If your opponent’s return of serve is short, your best play is usually to drive the ball back at the player who returned the serve. Your opponent hasn’t gained the kitchen line before you hit your shot, and a well-placed drive puts pressure them and allows you to advance.
Even a Bad Third Shot Drop Can Be Effective
Even bad drop shots can challenge opponents:
- Backhand Pressure: Defending against a drop shot hit to the backhand is not the easiest volley to make. Opponents forced to volley with their backhand are more likely to mishit the shot.
- Slower Pace: Unlike a drive, a slower drop shot forces opponents to swing more, often leading to mistakes.
Opponents blocking or volleying a drive can return it quickly due to its speed, but a drop shot’s slower pace forces them to hit with more precision, especially on their backhand.
Court Positioning for the Third Shot Drop
The illustration below shows the third shot drop hit to the middle and the area of the court known as the transition zone.
To execute an effective pickleball third shot drop, positioning is critical. Start by planning your shot before the point begins:
- Think Ahead: Before the point even starts, decide to hit a drop shot and think about where you want to place it. As already mentioned, the exception is on a short return of serve, in which case a drive may be the better choice.
- Baseline to the Kitchen: You are using the drop shot to move from the baseline to the kitchen line. The area between the baseline and the kitchen line is known as the transition zone. In pickleball you start at the baseline and need to transition forward to the kitchen line to level the playing field against opponents already at the line.
Targeting the Backhand
Targeting the backhand is always the most effective strategy.
- Hitting to the Middle:
- If you are new to the drop shot, aim for the middle of the court to avoid hitting out of bounds.
- Look for the opponent with their backhand in the middle and target that side. If both forehands are in the middle, that’s fine—hit to the middle anyway to force a decision on who will take the shot.
- Opponent Positioning:
- If your opponents have not stacked and both backhands are in the middle, this is an even better opportunity. A well-placed drop shot forces a backhand response.
Once you’ve mastered the drop shot, you can start targeting the sidelines for even more precision and advantage. This strategy is covered in a post on targeting your third shot drops.
Advancing to the Kitchen Line
The illustration below shows a good third shot drop hit to the backhand side of the defender and the offensive players advancing through the transition zone to the kitchen line.
The ultimate goal of the third shot drop is to advance to the kitchen line, transitioning from defense to offense. Key considerations:
- Recognizing Good Drops:
- A shot that barely clears the net and lands in the kitchen is what you are looking for.
- Move forward quickly with your partner if the drop shot looks like it will force your opponent to volley with an upward swing motion or do a dink return.
- Staying Back on Bad Drops:
- If your drop shot is too high or fast, opponents will volley aggressively or smash. Maybe move in a bit but generally stay back and prepare to defend and hit another drop shot, the 5th shot drop.
Looking for Mistakes and End the Point
When advancing to the kitchen line:
- If your opponent lofts or pops the ball up, put it away if it’s within reach above the net.
- Good players will often concede your advance after a strong drop shot and respond with a dink. They know if they try to make an aggressive shot off your drop shot, they will likely make a mistake. They transition the point into a dinking rally. This is what you want.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Lofted Drop Shots: High, slow drop shots invite smashes from your opponent. Of course, you don’t want to do this, but all your drop shots won’t be great.
- Advancing Too Early: Only move forward aggressively on a good drop shot.
Pickleball Third Shot Drop Summary
To advance to the 3.5 level in pickleball, you must master the pickleball third shot drop.
This shot:
- Neutralizes strong opponents at the kitchen line.
- Allows you to transition forward and take control of the point.
- Forces opponents into errors, giving you the upper hand.
The third shot drop is your most valuable third shot option. While it may take time to master, don’t give up—it’s an essential skill for advancing your game.
Short Video on the Pickleball Third Shot Drop
Courtesy of Dicks Sporting Goods and Wayne Dollard
Watch this video on the Pickleball Drop Shot on Youtube.