This Pickleball 3.5 Blog Quick Reference Guide features court illustrations and concise summaries of strategy posts focused on the pickleball third shot. It is designed to help you navigate the blog visually, with posts organized from simple to more advanced topics. Scroll down to explore all post summaries in order or use the menu below to jump directly to topics of interest.
Quick Navigation
2.0-3.0 Skill Level
3.5+ Skill Level
- Third Shot Drop
- Third Shot Drop – Advance to the Net
- The 5th Shot Drop
- Pickleball Reset Shot
- Third Shot Drop Put Away
- Targeting the Third Shot Drop
- Drop Shot Mistake – Don’t Rush In
- Drop Shot Mistake – Don’t Draw Them In
- Third Shot Drop Defense
- Drop Shot Defense – Don’t Backup
- Pickleball Shake and Bake
- Dealing with Power Players
- Blocking a Drive
Pickleball Third Shot Options
This illustration highlights the three primary third shot options in pickleball…Drop Shot (1), Drive (2) and a Lob (3).
To advance to the 3.5+ level in pickleball you will need to use all third shot options depending on the situation and hit them consistently well. There are 3 primary shot options for the third shot in pickleball; the drop shot, drive shot, or lob shot.
Read the full post on Third Shot Options.
Pickleball Third Shot Progression
This illustration highlights the 3 most used third shots in pickleball in the order that they are typically used by players learning the game.
Players typically go through a third shot progression when playing pickleball. This is based on the difficulty of the shots and how their opponents react to the shots.
To advance in Pickleball to the 3.5+ level you will need to use drop shot, drive shot, and lob shot and hit them consistently well.
Read the full post on Third Shot Player Progression.
Pickleball Third Shot Communication
This illustration shows a player communicating to their partner that they have it and will hit the third shot.
The third shot is arguably the most important shot in a pickleball point. It’s the one that can make or break the rally and put you in control. Effective communication in pickleball and especially on the third shot is critical for advancement.
Read the full post on Third Shot Communication.
Pickleball Third Shot -Step in Front
This illustration highlights a player with their forehand in the middle stepping in front and communicating they will hit the third shot.
For the pickleball third shot, in many situations, you should step in front of your partner to use a forehand shot. This is always a better option than your partner using their backhand for the third shot.
Read the full post on Third Shot Stepping in Front.
Pickleball Lob Shot
This illustration shows a player hitting a lob shot over the head of their opponent.
The pickleball lob shot is a high, arching stroke designed to go over your opponent’s head and land near the baseline. This forces them to retreat, taking away their dominant position at the net. When executed well, the lob shot makes your opponent choose between:
- Attempting an overhead smash from a difficult angle.
- Allowing the ball to land and playing it off the bounce.
While the lob is often seen as a last-resort shot, the lob can be surprisingly effective in specific situations, forcing your opponents to give up their net position.
Read the full post on Pickleball Lob Shot.
Lob Shot-Advance on a Good Lob
This illustration highlights a good lob shot going over the head of your opponent and you and your partner moving forward to get to the kitchen line.
Getting to the kitchen line is your objective with the third shot and you can do it using the lob.
A perfectly executed lob shot can put you on the offensive.
This scenario highlights how the lob can transition from defense to offense, provided it’s well-placed and your opponents can’t attack it with a smash shot.
Read the full post on What to do after a Good Lob Shot.
Pickleball Third Shot Drive
This illustration shows a third shot drive used on a short return of serve to keep the server returner back.
When your opponent’s return of serve is short, you almost always want to drive the ball back at them. Not driving the ball on a short return of serve can be a big, missed opportunity.
Read the full post on When to Hit the Third Shot Drive.
Pickleball Overhead Smash
This illustration highlights a player responding to a lob with a smash. They communicate to their partner they will hit the shot.
In pickleball, the overhead smash is one of the most decisive shots you can make. When your opponent lobs the ball or pops it up high, they’re giving you a golden opportunity. A well-executed smash not only ends rallies quickly but also signals to your opponents that their lobs won’t work.
By mastering this shot, you stay on the offensive, limit your opponent’s options, and make yourself a force to be reckoned with on the court.
Read the full post on the Overhead Smash Shot.
Pickleball Lob Switch
This illustration shows an effective lob going over the head of a player. Their partner covers for them to play the shot, and they switch positions on the court.
Effective communication, quick decision-making, and smooth execution are essential for a successful lob switch.
Mastering this tactic gives you the best court coverage and enhances your ability to return challenging lob shots.
Read the full post on the Pickleball Lob Switch Shot.
Pickleball Poach
In this illustration the serve returner is slow to advance, and the ball is driven back at them, their partner slides over and poaches the shot.
Pickleball poaching is when you cross in front of your partner to take a shot headed their way. This can happen in many game situations when your partner may be pushed back a bit, and you slide in front of them and take the shot.
Poaching the third shot is a surprise move and should catch your opponents off-guard if done well. This is a great play when defending against the third-shot drive or drop shot hit in the direction of your partner.
Read the full post on Pickleball Poaching.
Defensive Poach Switch
In this illustration the shot is poached, and a switch is called out. The poaching player stays, and their partner moves over to cover where they were.
Switching is a critical part of pickleball. If you take over a spot on the court where your partner should be, they need to move where you were by “Switching”.
When poaching the third shot, you should switch if you move over into your partner’s court.
Read the full post on Pickleball Poaching.
Defensive Poach Mistake
In this illustration the poach attempt is telegraphed and the player hitting the shot hits it behind the poacher at the last minute.
Poaching the third shot is a timing move.
If you move before your opponent is set and swinging, they can adjust and drive it to the spot behind you that you just left. On a lofted, slow return shot, they have more time to align and adjust their shot. If they have good racquet skills, they can change quickly and hit the shot to any open spot at the last minute.
Read the full post on Pickleball Poaching.
Pinching the Middle
In this illustration the serve returner hits the return to the far side and moves to the middle to defend against the third shot while their partner stays to cover the sideline.
Pinching the middle, simply means sliding over a bit to cover the center of the court, closing any gaps that might give your opponents an easy target.
By pinching toward the middle, you and your partner create a stronger defensive wall, making it tougher for opponents to sneak shots through or land powerful drives.
Read the full post on Pickleball Pinching the Middle.
Pickleball Angle Overhead Smash Shot
This illustration shows a player responding to a lob with an angle smash shot. The shot ends the point.
As you improve your overhead smash shot in pickleball, you’ll notice many of your overhead smash shots are coming back at you. This happens because you’re focusing solely on power, hitting the ball straight ahead into your opponent’s court without aiming for an open spot.
To elevate your game, you need to master the pickleball angle smash shot—a winning shot that catches opponents off-guard and ends rallies decisively.
Read the full post on the Overhead Angle Smash Shot.
Third Shot Drop
This illustration shows a third shot drop hit to the middle of the court between the 2 defenders.
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.
Read the full post on the Pickleball Third Shot Drop.
Third Shot Drop-Advance to the Net
This illustration highlights 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.
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.
A shot that barely clears the net and lands in the kitchen is what you are looking for.
Read the full post on Third Shot Drop Advancing.
The 5th Shot Drop
In this illustration a third shot drop is attempted. It is volleyed back by the defender and another drop shot; the 5th shot drop is attempted.
If your third shot drop isn’t perfect and is volleyed back, try another drop shot.
The pickleball 5th shot drop is just another drop shot you hit after attempting a third shot drop.
Navigating through the transition zone to the kitchen line can be challenging. In many cases multiple drop shots are needed.
Read the full post on the Pickleball 5th Shot Drop.
Pickleball Reset Shot
In this illustration a rally is happening at the net. The offense speeds things up and the turns the rally into a fast exchange at the net. The defense gets pushed back and resets the point slowing things back down to regain their footing in the rally at the net.
- Your opponent speeds up a shot at your partner at the net. Your partner responds quickly with a volley back that is popped up a bit to the opponent in front of you.
- The opponent in front of you attacks with a quick volley. You see you will be attacked, and you take a quick step back to defend trying to anticipate where the attack shot will be hit. The shot is good and bounces down with force in your kitchen area. It is not attackable as it is below net height.
- You respond with a reset shot landing softly just over the net. You move back up to the net.
You have reset a rally that got out of control at the net. You could have reacted by trying to hit another forceful shot. You reset because you knew the ball was not attackable and it was best to slow things down again and regain control.
This is a smart and mature pickleball play.
Read the full post on the Pickleball Reset Shot.
Third Shot Drop Put Away
In this illustration a good third shot drop is played. Both offensive players advance quickly and one of them puts away a popup hit by the defense.
When you hit a good drop shot that just clears the net and bounces, your opponents may try to keep you back one last time.
This is a pivotable point in pickleball. Moving in on a good drop shot is critical and many times ends the point. When you and your partner move in you put immediate pressure on your opponents.
Finish the point with a put away shot if they make a mistake.
Read the full post on the Third Shot Drop Put Away.
Targeting the Third Shot Drop
In this illustration a third shot drop is hit to the outside of the court at the backhand side of the defensive opponent in front of your partner.
As your drop shot improves and you have more confidence in yourself and your partner you can start to position your shot where it will be the most challenging for your opponents to play.
In many cases, this means hitting your drop shot towards the backhand positioned on the outside of the court. This is a difficult shot because you risk hitting it out of bounds, but the shot will be needed as you advance your game.
Read the full post on Targeting the Third Shot Drop.
Third Shot Drop Mistake -Don't Rush In
In this illustration a bad drop shot is hit to the defensive player in front of your partner. Your partner rushes in hoping to put away any mistake made by the defensive player. They get the ball smashed down on them.
Not all third shot drops are great, and you don’t want to rush in on a poor shot.
You and your partner need to watch the third shot drop and determine if it is good, and you should advance together if it is a good shot.
Read the full post on Third Shot Drop Rushing In.
Third Shot Drop Mistake -Don't Draw Them In
In this illustration you hit a good, deep serve. Your opponent hits a short return of serve and hasn't reached the kitchen line. Instead of driving the ball at them to keep them back, you attempt a drop shot in front of them.
When you start using drop shots in your game, it’s easy to become hyper-focused on always using them as your third shot.
A common drop shot mistake in pickleball isn’t just mishitting it, it is using it at the wrong time.
You never want to draw an opponent forward when you can hit a shot that keeps them back.
In this illustration you hit a good, deep serve. Your opponent hits a short return of serve and hasn't reached the kitchen line. You drive the ball back to their feet and advance to the kitchen line with your partner.
This is the correct play, and you have taken advantage of the bad return of serve instead of drawing your opponent in.
Read the full post on Third Shot Drop Mistake - Drawing Them in
Third Shot Drop Defense
In this illustration a drop shot is hit to the outside of the court at the backhand side of the defensive player.
Pickleball drop shot defense is a critical part of the game.
Advanced players will use drop shots to move through the transition zone to the kitchen line.
You need to play exceptional defense against good players to advance to the 3.5+ level.
Read the full post on Third Shot Drop Defense.
Drop Shot Defense-Don't Backup
In this illustration a third shot drop is hit to the outside of the court at the backhand of the defender. The defender isn’t confident to play a volley shot or dink back and they backup from the kitchen line.
Always hold your position at the kitchen line and volley the drop shot if you can. Many players make the mistake of backing up when a drop shot comes their way.
This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make in pickleball.
When you back up, it’s usually because you’re uncertain whether the drop shot will land in front of you or if you can reach it for an effective volley.
Backing up takes you out of an offensive position and gives your opponents the advantage.
Read the full post on Third Shot Drop Defense.
Pickleball Shake and Bake
In this illustration, a drive is hit (the shake) on the third shot, both offensive players advance quickly, and a popup response is put away (the bake).
You’ve probably heard of ‘Shake and Bake’ or ‘Crush and Rush’ if you’ve been around the pickleball courts for a while. The pickleball shake and bake play is an aggressive pickleball move. You drive the third shot and charge the net—it’s all about taking control and putting the pressure on.
Read the full post on the Pickleball Shake and Bake.
Dealing with Power Players
As you advance in pickleball and start using third-shot drops effectively, you’ll feel good about your growing skills and strategic gameplay. You’ll win games with precision, smart court positioning, and good shot selection.
Then… you’ll face a power player—or even worse, a team of two. In these matches, using the drop shot against power players can make all the difference.
Often referred to as “bangers”, these opponents rely on their ability to hit powerful drives, aiming for winners with speed and precision.
Read the full post on Dealing with Power Players.
Blocking a Pickleball Drive
In the illustration below the offensive player drives the third shot from deep in the court. The defensive players softly blocks the drive just over the net.
Some players drive most of their third shots. They haven’t mastered the drop shot or they may just be power players who always hit drives.
They are hoping you will make a mistake when responding to the hard drive. They want you to totally miss it or pop it up.
A soft block can take the pace off and land the ball right in your opponent’s kitchen. Simply position your paddle in the path of the drive shot. Allow the drive to make soft contact with the paddle.
Once you master this technique, the blocked shot will fall just beyond the net, making it difficult for your opponent to reach.
Read the full post on Blocking a Pickleball Drive.