The third shotWhat is the drop?
The third shot drop is a shot on the third ball of the rally (serve → return → third ball) that you drop softly from near the baseline into the area near the opponent's kitchen. It's considered one of the most important shots in pickleball tactics.
Why the third shot? Under pickleball's two-bounce rule, the serve (the first shot) and the third shot must both be hit after a bounce (the return, the second shot, is hit by the receiving side). That means the serving side hits both the first and third shots near the baseline, while the returning side can move straight up to the net, creating a positional disadvantage.
Why the third shot drop is important
In pickleball, the position in front of the net (near the kitchen line) is the most advantageous. The returning side can move up to the net right after hitting the second ball, but the serving side is pinned at the baseline.
What resolves this positional disadvantage is the third shot drop. By dropping it softly into the opponent's kitchen, your opponent can't hit aggressive shots, and meanwhile the serving side buys time to move up to the net too. If the drop succeeds, you can develop the rally in an even state in front of the net.
The correct way to hit it
Grip and stance
Grip lightly with the Continental grip. Open your feet about shoulder-width, bend your knees a little, and keep your center of gravity low. Face your body toward the direction you're hitting and take a relaxed setup.
Swing
The biggest point of the third shot drop is "relaxing." Use your arm like a pendulum and swing softly from low to high. Fix your wrist and aim for a swing with the shoulder as the pivot.
The image is to catch the underside of the ball and lift it upward. The ideal is a trajectory that draws an arc clearing the top of the net and bouncing in the opponent's kitchen. Passing about 1m above the net is the guide.
Contact point and timing
The ideal contact point is in front of the body, slightly lower than the waist. Wait for the ball to drop and catch it before it starts to rise. If the timing is too early it catches the net, and too late it floats up.
Using the drop and drive differently
The third shot doesn't necessarily have to be a drop. Using the drive (a low, fast shot) differently throws off your opponent's prediction and broadens the range of your tactics.
The drop is effective when your opponent is set at the kitchen line. Dropping it at their feet seals their attack and buys time to move up to the net. The drive, on the other hand, is effective when your opponent is still near the baseline, or when you can attack their backhand side.
In a match, rather than making the same choice every time, keep in mind to mix the drop and drive according to the situation. If your pattern is read, both lose their effectiveness.
Practice drills
Kitchen target practice
This is practice where you place a cone or marker inside the kitchen from the baseline and drop your drop shot there. Start with a short distance at first, and gradually move back to the baseline. Getting 15 or more out of 20 balls into the kitchen is well done.
Third-ball simulation
Have your partner hit a return and practice the third shot drop in an actual rally format. Repeat with moving up to the net after the drop as one set.
Net-clearance practice
This is practice where you stretch a rope or string above the net (at a position about 50cm to 1m above the net) and drop it into the kitchen by passing over it. It's effective for making your body remember the appropriate trajectory that's neither too high nor too low.
Common mistakes and how to improve
If your drop floats up, you're putting in too much power. Swing while relaxing more. If it catches the net, either your contact point is too low or you're not catching the underside of the ball enough. Raise your contact point a little and strengthen your upward awareness.
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