Pickleball Third Shot Progression
I learned, as I’m sure you know, that the third shot is perhaps the most important shot in any point in pickleball. It sets the tone for the rally and often determines who takes control of the point.
We’ve all been there, figuring out the third shot in pickleball can feel like a rite of passage. It’s a journey full of trial, error, and some moments you’d rather forget. If the third shot feels like a mysterious challenge, trust me, you’re not alone. It’s something I stumbled through myself, learning what works (and what absolutely doesn’t) through trial, error, and maybe a few spectacularly bad lobs.
Through my time playing, I’ve learned a lot about the game, about strategy, and about how my own skills have evolved. Watching my own progression and that of others, I’ve come to see a pattern in how players develop their third-shot strategy. Looking back on my experience, here’s how I see the third-shot progression. I hope it resonates with some of you!
The Drive Shot
First, there’s the drive shot. It’s powerful, satisfying, and, when you nail it, downright thrilling. I remember relying on it heavily when I first started out. Tennis players love this one, it’s like muscle memory with a pickleball paddle. But here’s the thing: as fun as it is to smack the ball like you mean it, advanced players at the net will block it with ease. If you’re hitting from deep in the court, it’s even worse.
Sure, a well-placed drive can catch weaker opponents off guard and cause errors, but against skilled players, it’s more of a setup shot than a point-winner. That said, you should always use it on a short return of serve or to mix things up when your opponents expect a drop shot. In those moments, its power and speed can put immediate pressure on your opponent.
The Lob Shot
Then there’s the lob shot, that “aha!” moment when you think, If I can’t hit past them, I’ll just hit over them! And yes, it works… sometimes. I vividly remember the first time a lob worked perfectly; it felt like I’d unlocked a secret weapon. But when it doesn’t, it really doesn’t.
A well-executed third-shot lob can catch less experienced players by surprise, but skilled opponents will turn it into a smash opportunity faster than you can say, “Watch out!” The trick is to use lobs sparingly on the third shot and only when the situation calls for it. If you’re hitting a lot of lobs for your third shot, you’re probably in the lobbing phase of your third-shot progression.
The Third Shot Drop
Finally, we come to the third shot drop. This is where the magic happens, or at least where you hope it does. It’s not flashy, it’s not powerful, but it’s the ultimate tool for neutralizing opponents at the net.
I remember feeling like I’d never get it right. It was like trying to thread a needle while wearing oven mitts. But when it works, it’s a game-changer. A good drop doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to clear the net and land soft and low enough to disrupt your opponents’ rhythm and let you advance to the net, where you need to be. Even a mediocre drop shot that forces your opponents to reach over the NVZ can create awkward volleys, especially on their backhand, giving you the advantage.
The Progression
It took me some time, but I eventually worked through the progression and now rely mostly on the third-shot drop as my go-to shot. As I advanced, it became clear that this was the only way I could compete against skilled players.
So, where are you on the third-shot ladder? Are you still driving most of the time? That’s fine, but it might be time to start experimenting with the drop. The drive shot is great for short returns of serve or as a surprise to mix things up. At higher levels the drive is used as a setup for a shake-and-bake or a fifth shot drop/reset. You need to have a good drive shot but it may not be a long-term solution as your primary third shot. Stuck on lobbing? It’s a useful phase to pass through, but don’t get stuck there. Use it sparingly as a surprise or when you have limited options. Frustrated with your drop shots? Stick with it, this is your ticket to taking your game to the next level and competing with advanced players.
The journey of the third shot, for me, was one of discovery, patience, and maybe a little humility. While the drive and lob had their moments, the drop is what took my game to the next level. That said, mastering all third-shot options was essential for me as I progressed. The key now is knowing when to use each one to keep my opponents guessing and to maximize my effectiveness on the court.
So, what about you? How do you see your own third-shot progression, and what’s been the biggest challenge in developing your game?
Content for this post was originally created by Payton Bond in the Senior Pickleball TIPS forum on Facebook.
Click here to see the post and comments.
Follow Pickleball35
Stay connected to Pickleball35 and follow our strategy content on Facebook!
Keep Learning:
- Read the posts on basic shot execution to see how the Drop Shot, Drive Shot and Lob shot are executed.
- Start at the beginning of the Third Shot category to see all third shot posts.
Related Posts
