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.
Remember, in pickleball, the defense starts the point with a distinct advantage. They already have one player at the kitchen line, while you and your partner, on offense, are both at the baseline. To maintain this advantage, the serve returner on defense must hit a good return of serve and quickly move up to the kitchen line. Once both defenders are at the net and both offensive players are still back, the defense solidifies its position, making it difficult for the offense to score a point—just as the game is designed.
For the offensive team, success depends on finding a way to advance and engage the defenders at the net. As reviewed in the third shot drop posts, the third shot drop is best approach to close the gap and neutralize the defense when both defenders are already at the kitchen line. However, if you can keep the serve returner back after they hit their return, you create an opportunity to immediately advance and take control of the point.
Mistake: Hitting a Drop Shot and Drawing Your Opponent Forward
In the illustration below a drop shot is hit back to the serve returner after they hit a short return and haven’t reached the kitchen line. This is usually a mistake.
Scenario:
- Your opponent returns your serve, and it’s a short return.
- You advance, fixated on executing a drop shot, and hit a drop shot to the open area in front of the serve returner, thinking they won’t reach it in time.
- After their short return, your opponent hesitates to advance, expecting you might drive the ball. However, when they see your drop shot, they rush in, hitting a forceful shot or dink back at you. This invites them to the kitchen line, exactly where they want to be after returning the serve.
Why This is a Mistake
In this situation, your opponent’s short return gave you a critical opportunity to drive the ball at them. Driving the ball forces them to stay back or make a rushed play, allowing you to move to the net and take control of the point. Instead, by hitting a drop shot, you helped them recover and advance to the kitchen line—a mistake that gives up the advantage you may have gained.
While a well-executed drop shot may allow you to advance and potentially engage in a dinking rally, the key error lies in not recognizing the chance to keep your opponent back and take control of the point.
Worse still, if your drop shot isn’t good, the opponent already at the kitchen line may easily slide over and poach your attempted drop shot.
The Correct Play
When your opponent hits a short return and cannot reach the kitchen line after their shot:
- Drive the ball back at them to take advantage of them being back to potentially take control of the point.
- Avoid giving them the opportunity to advance and recover from their short serve return.
In the illustration below you drive the short return of serve back to the feet of the serve returner and you and your partner advance to the kitchen line taking control of the point.
Scenario:
- Your opponent returns your serve, and it’s a short return.
- You advance quickly and drive the ball back at the serve returner who is still relatively deep in the service court.
- You and your partner advance quickly to the kitchen line and take control of the point.
Summary
With improved court awareness, you’ll consistently recognize these opportunities and make smarter decisions for your third shot.
Instead of always defaulting to a drop shot, evaluate the situation and use the play that gives you the advantage.