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.
Pickleball Third Shot Drop or Drive
The illustration below shows the 3 most used third shots in pickleball. The drive (1), the lob(2) and the third shot drop(3).
1. Third Shot Drive
Choosing between the third shot drop or drive happens naturally as you play and gain more experience. Most players begin by driving the ball. The drive is a powerful and swift stroke that naturally feels good when hit well.
If you have a tennis background you may be transitioning to pickleball with a strong forehand drive already in your repertoire.
However, even if you are new to the sport, you will likely start by hitting the ball over the net using a forehand drive shot.
This shot is the simplest and most instinctive choice. Let’s face it, it just feels good winding up and driving the ball hard, it seems right, and you feel good when your opponents can’t return it, or you hit it to an open spot for a winner.
2. Lob
The third shot drop or drive option is often bypassed altogether and the preferred shot becomes the lob shot. After playing for a while with more skilled opponents, you may enter a phase of lobbing. This happens as you watch your third shot drives being easily played, and in many cases, put away by defenders positioned at the kitchen line.
With practice, you may have some success with the lob, and you begin to incorporate the lob more frequently into your game play on the third shot.Â
Using the lob shot you see some success with this strategy, especially against less experienced or limited players, leading you to continue utilizing it alongside your drive shots.
3. Third Shot Drop
As you progress, you realize that your drives are not always effective as they are easily blocked or smashed by good players.  Your lob shots are being easily smashed by skilled players unless you execute them flawlessly.
You have tried drop shots and you have observed other, more advanced players, successfully using it. You have attempted it yourself, but with limited success.Â
It is frustrating and maybe embarrassing dropping shots into the net or maybe hitting the shot too hard and popping it up to your opponents at the net. Because of this, you may stop using it and go back to driving and lobbing your third shots.
Eventually, it becomes clear that to compete and win over good opponents, you must incorporate the third shot drop into your strategy. You then evolve and begin to rely on a third shot drop as your primary third shot.Â
What Phase are you in?
If you find yourself always driving your third shot, you will need to move onto the third shot drop to advance to the 3.5+ level and compete against more skilled opponents.
If you are in the lobbing phase, move on. Lobbing is not a reliable long-term strategy, and you need to develop your third shot drop.
If you are trying to use drop shots but are frustrated, keep practicing and continue using the drop shot.
Remember, drop shots don’t have to be perfect to be effective.
Summary
All third shots are important but using the third shot drop frequently and executing it consistently well is a 3.5+ skill.
Using this shot consistently is a big step in your advancement in pickleball.
Don’t give up on this shot, you need to master it to move forward.