Developing a good pickleball third shot drop strategy is a key step toward reaching the 3.5+ skill level. As your drop shot improves and you gain more confidence in yourself and your partner, you’ll start to see the court as a chessboard—strategically placing your shots where they’ll give your opponents the most trouble.
Often, this means aiming your drop shot at the backhand side of the opponent positioned on the outside of the court. Sure, it’s a risk—you might occasionally flirt with the out-of-bounds line—but it’s a shot you’ll need as your game evolves.
For a safer (and arguably smarter) play, target the backhand of the opponent directly in front of your partner. Your partner should anticipate this, moving in quickly to the net while you’re busy executing the shot. After all, teamwork makes the dream work, and in this case, it’s your partner’s time to shine.
If you landed here from a search and feel this content lacks context, check out the foundational post on the Third Shot Drop:
Pickleball Third Shot Drop – Your Best Third Shot Option
Targeting the Third Shot Drop
In the illustration below 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.
In this scenario:
1. You aim at the backhand of the opponent in front of your partner. This will be the most difficult for them to return.
2. Your partner watches your drop shot and moves in with you quickly if it is dropping. You are now both looking for a popup mistake you can put away.
Another effective approach is to hit the drop shot to the opponent directly in front of you.
Maybe you’re better positioned for this shot, or perhaps your partner is still working on their “move-in-on-a-drop-shot” instincts. (Hey, we all have our learning curves!)
Target the backhand of the opponent in front of you—it’s like aiming for the weak spot on a suit of armor. This angle is usually the toughest for them to return cleanly. As you watch your shot drop perfectly into place, be ready to pounce. If they pop it up, it’s your time to shine—step in and finish the point.
Summary
As your pickleball third shot drop strategy improves, focus on placing your drop shots where they’ll challenge your opponents the most. Whether it’s targeting their backhand or exploiting court positioning, the key is to keep them on the defensive. With practice and confidence, you’ll turn your drop shot into a powerful tool that sets you up for success at the net and elevates your game to the next level.
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