1. Introduction
The third shot drop is one of the most essential skills in Pickleball, acting as the bridge between defense and offense. It neutralizes your opponent’s advantage, resets the rally, and allows you and your partner to advance to the non-volley zone (kitchen) where you can dictate play.
In Stage One, we worked on the serve, setting up the rally. Stage Two focused on the return, designed to buy time and establish positioning. Now, in Stage Three, we dive into the art of the third shot drop, a key skill for transitioning your team from the baseline to the kitchen.
2. The Purpose of the Third Shot Drop
- Neutralize Opponents: Forces them to hit upward, reducing their attacking options.
- Transition to the Kitchen: Creates time for the serving team to advance to the strongest position on the court.
- Reset the Point: Shifts the momentum of a rally, turning a defensive situation into an opportunity to control the game.
3. Key Strategies for the Third Shot Drop
- Stay Low: A lower body position helps maintain control and ensures the ball stays low over the net.
- Maintain a Loose Grip: Grip pressure should be between 4 and 6 on a scale of 10, preventing the ball from popping up.
- Move with Purpose: Execute the shot and immediately advance toward the kitchen line.
- Be Patient: If the first drop doesn’t allow you to reach the kitchen, keep resetting with subsequent shots until you can safely move forward.
4. Drills for Mastering the Third Shot Drop
Drill 1: Two-In-One Drill
- Start at the kitchen line and drop two successful shots before taking one step back.
- Continue until you reach the baseline, then work forward again.
- Progressions:
- Make two successful drops and they do not have to consecutive before stepping back. To make more challenging down the road you can add that the shots need to be consecutive.
- Target specific areas, such as forehand or backhand.
Drill 2: Crosscourt Two-In-One Drill
- Similar to the above, but performed crosscourt to practice angles and targeting the opponent’s weaker side.
- Focus on accuracy and forcing your opponent to move.
Drill 3: Around the World Drill
- Set up nine positions around the court and drop a shot from each spot, moving immediately after each shot.
- Emphasize hitting and moving to your next position without watching the ball.
- Switch roles with your partner to ensure balanced practice.
Drill 4: Three-Person Drop Drill
- Position one player at the baseline (Dropper), one at the non-volley zone (Feeder), and one at midcourt (Transition).
- The Feeder starts the drill by hitting a ball to the Dropper, who must execute a third shot drop into the kitchen.
- The Transition player dinks the ball back to the Feeder, who returns a soft shot to restart the drill.
- Variations:
- Focus on consistent drops.
- Add resets and counterattacks if the drop is too high.
- Rotate roles to ensure balanced practice.
5. Advanced Options: The Third Shot Drive and Hybrid “Drip” Shot
While the third shot drop is a foundational skill, more advanced players can explore additional options to diversify their game:
-
Third Shot Drive:
- A powerful, low drive aimed at your opponents’ feet or midcourt area.
- Best used to surprise opponents or when they’re out of position.
- Requires precision to avoid setting up an easy volley for your opponents.
-
The “Drip” Shot (Hybrid Drop-Drive):
- Combines elements of a drive and drop, hitting the ball with moderate pace and spin.
- Designed to land in the transition zone or just past the kitchen, making it harder for opponents to handle.
- A versatile option for creating pressure and keeping opponents guessing.
While these shots can be effective, they typically require more skill and are better suited for advanced strategies. I usually suggest beginners and intermediates should first focus on mastering the drop before working on incorporating these options.
6. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Overpowering the Shot: The third shot drop is about control, not power. Focus on a soft placement to land the ball in the kitchen.
- Watching Instead of Moving: After hitting the drop, advance toward the kitchen line immediately. Watching your shot wastes valuable time.
- Giving Up Too Soon: If the first drop isn’t perfect, don’t panic. Continue resetting the ball until you can safely advance.
7. Why the Third Shot Drop Matters
- Elevates Your Game: Mastering the drop shot is a hallmark of intermediate and advanced players.
- Controls the Rally: A well-executed drop limits your opponent’s options and gives you the upper hand.
- Diversify Your Pickleball Strategy: The third shot drop is another tool to utilize in your game and once you have a few different options when it comes to the third shot then you opponents have to respect all of the different options while keeping them guessing.
8. What’s Next?
Once you’ve mastered the third shot drop, it’s time to focus on Stage Four: The Short Game, where you engage in strategic dinking battles at the kitchen to set up winning shots.
Explore our Precision Training Sessions to practice third shot drops and other essential skills. Stay tuned for the upcoming eBook, "Mastering the Five Stages of Pickleball," featuring exclusive drills, tips, and strategies to elevate your game. Once available, we’ll update this blog with a link to access it.
9. Watch and Learn
