The Third Shot Drop: Why It Matters and How to Practice
If there is one shot that separates beginner pickleball players from intermediate and advanced ones, it is the third shot drop. This single shot changes the entire flow of a rally, and learning to execute it consistently is the fastest way to level up your doubles game.
In this guide, we will cover what the third shot drop is, why it is so important, how to execute it correctly, and the practice drills that will help you build confidence with it.
What Is the Third Shot Drop?
The third shot drop is a soft, arcing shot hit by the serving team on the third shot of the rally. Here is how the sequence works:
- Shot 1: The serving team serves the ball (deep, to the opposite court).
- Shot 2: The returning team returns the serve (ideally deep) and moves forward to the kitchen line.
- Shot 3: The serving team hits a soft shot that arcs over the net and drops into the opponent's kitchen.
That third shot, the drop, is designed to land softly in or near the kitchen, forcing the opponents to hit the ball upward. This gives the serving team time to move forward from the baseline to the kitchen line, where they can compete on equal footing.
Why the Third Shot Drop Matters
The third shot drop is not just another shot in your arsenal. It is the bridge between being stuck at the baseline and controlling the net. Here is why it is so critical in doubles play.
The Serving Team Starts at a Disadvantage
After the serve, the double bounce rule requires the serving team to let the return bounce before playing it. This means the serving team is stuck at or near the baseline for the third shot. Meanwhile, the returning team can move forward to the kitchen line immediately after the return.
This creates an asymmetric situation: the returning team is at the net (the strongest position on the court), and the serving team is at the baseline (the weakest position). The third shot drop is the primary tool for eliminating that disadvantage.
A Drop Forces the Opponents to Hit Up
A well-executed third shot drop lands low in the kitchen, below the height of the net. The opponents have to let it bounce and then lift the ball upward to clear the net. A ball hit upward is much harder to attack than a ball hit downward. This neutralizes the net team's advantage and gives the serving team a chance to move in.
It Creates Transition Time
The drop shot travels slowly and arcs high, which gives the serving team precious seconds to move from the baseline toward the kitchen line. By the time the opponents play the drop, the serving team should be significantly closer to the net, ready to engage in the dink battle.
The Alternative Is Risky
Without a third shot drop, the serving team's options are limited. They can drive the ball hard, but a drive from the baseline against two players at the kitchen line is risky. Net players can block or counter drives effectively, and a hard shot that misses gives away the point. The drop is the higher-percentage play in most situations.
How to Execute the Third Shot Drop
The technique for a third shot drop is simple in concept but takes significant practice to master. Here are the key elements.
Grip and Paddle Position
Use a continental grip (like shaking hands with the paddle). Hold the paddle with a soft, relaxed grip. Tension in your hand kills touch, and touch is everything on this shot. The paddle face should be slightly open (angled upward) at contact.
Body Position
- Bend your knees. Get low. The power and arc of the drop come from your legs, not your arm.
- Keep your weight balanced or slightly forward.
- Face the net with your body aligned toward your target.
- Stay behind the ball. Do not reach forward. Let the ball come to you.
The Swing
The swing is more of a push or lift than a traditional swing. Here is the motion:
- Take the paddle back just slightly. There is no big backswing on a drop.
- Push forward and upward through the ball using your legs and a gentle arm motion.
- Contact the ball out in front of your body, at about knee height.
- Follow through upward and toward the target. Your paddle should finish pointing toward the kitchen.
The key is to hit up on the ball. The ball needs enough height to clear the net (about 34 inches at the center) and enough arc to drop softly into the kitchen. If you swing flat or downward, the ball will hit the net or fly long.
Trajectory
Think of the ball's flight path as an upside-down U. It should rise from your paddle, peak somewhere above the net, and then descend into the opponents' kitchen. The apex of the arc should be on your side of the net, not the opponents' side. If the ball is still rising as it crosses the net, it will land too deep or too high.
Target
Aim for the middle of the opponents' kitchen, roughly halfway between the net and the kitchen line. This gives you the most margin for error on both sides. A ball that lands in the center of the kitchen is harder for either opponent to attack than a ball near the sidelines, which can be taken at a sharper angle.
Common Third Shot Drop Mistakes
Hitting Too Hard
This is the most common mistake. Players who are used to driving the ball struggle to take speed off the shot. The drop requires a soft touch, and many players simply hit it too hard, sending it deep or high where the opponents can attack it. Slow down your swing and focus on lifting the ball rather than pushing it forward.
Flat Trajectory
A flat third shot drop does not clear the net or lands too deep. You need arc. Think "up," not "forward." The ball should rise above net height on your side and then fall into the kitchen. Practice exaggerating the upward motion at first to develop the feel.
Poor Timing on the Approach
Many players hit the drop and then stand still, watching to see if it worked. The point of the drop is to buy time to move forward. Start moving toward the kitchen line as soon as you make contact. If the drop is good, you will be in position to play the next shot from mid-court or closer. If the drop is poor, you can still recover before the next ball arrives.
Not Bending the Knees
Players who stand tall and swing with their arms tend to hit inconsistent drops. The legs provide the stable base and the power source for this shot. Bend your knees, stay low, and push upward through the ball with your lower body.
Trying to Be Too Perfect
A third shot drop does not have to be perfect. It just needs to be unattackable. If the ball lands in the kitchen and the opponents have to hit up, the drop did its job. Do not obsess over landing it on the kitchen line or painting the corners. Aim for the middle and keep it low. Consistency matters far more than precision.
Practice Drills for the Third Shot Drop
Drill 1: Target Drop
Place a towel or cone in the center of the kitchen on the far side. Stand at the baseline and practice dropping balls onto the target. Hit 20 drops and count how many land in the kitchen. Track your percentage over multiple sessions.
Goal: Hit the kitchen on at least 15 out of 20 attempts.
Drill 2: Drop and Move
Stand at the baseline. Hit a third shot drop, then take three or four steps forward before the ball lands on the other side. This drill trains the habit of moving forward after the drop, which is essential for the shot to actually work as a transition tool.
Goal: Reach the transition zone (roughly the area between the baseline and the kitchen) by the time your opponent would play the ball.
Drill 3: Feed and Drop (Partner)
Have a partner stand at the kitchen line and feed balls to you at the baseline. Practice dropping each one into the kitchen. Your partner should vary the feeds: some deep, some shorter, some to the forehand, some to the backhand. This builds your ability to hit drops from different positions and off different feeds.
Goal: Sustain a sequence of 10 drops in a row that land in the kitchen.
Drill 4: Live Rally Drop
Play out full rallies with a partner or in a practice game, but commit to hitting a third shot drop on every single third shot. No drives. This forces you to develop the drop under realistic conditions with the pressure of a live ball. After several games, evaluate your drop percentage and note which situations give you the most trouble.
Goal: Make your third shot drop unattackable (not necessarily perfect) on at least half of your attempts during live play.
Drill 5: Wall Drop (Solo)
Find a wall and mark a line at net height (about 34 inches). Stand 20 feet back and practice dropping the ball against the wall so it hits below the line and falls short. This is harder than it sounds, but it builds the feel for the soft touch and upward trajectory without needing a partner or court.
Goal: Hit 10 consecutive drops that land below the line and within a few feet of the wall's base.
For more structured practice ideas, our drill generator tool can build custom practice plans focused on specific shots and skills.
When Not to Drop
The third shot drop is the default play in most doubles situations, but it is not always the best choice.
When you have a short, high return to attack
If the return of serve lands short and high, a drive may be the better play. You have a ball you can hit aggressively, and a drop from mid-court is harder to control than a drop from the baseline.
When the opponents are not at the kitchen line
If the returning team fails to move forward after their return, a drop into an empty kitchen wastes an opportunity. A deep drive that pushes them back or a ball at their feet is often more effective.
When conditions make drops unreliable
Wind, sun, and unfamiliar court surfaces can make drops unpredictable. If your drops are sailing long or dumping into the net due to conditions, shift to a more conservative approach and work your way forward with controlled drives and resets.
The Third Shot Drive: An Alternative
The third shot drive is a hard, flat shot aimed at the opponents from the baseline. It does not give you time to transition forward the way a drop does, but it can be effective for:
- Putting pressure on opponents who struggle with fast balls at their body
- Mixing up your patterns so opponents cannot anticipate the drop
- Taking advantage of weak returns that sit up high
The best doubles players mix drops and drives on the third shot. If your opponent knows a drop is coming every time, they can cheat forward and attack it. Mixing in the occasional drive keeps them honest. As your doubles strategy develops, you will learn to read the situation and choose the right third shot for each point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the third shot drop in pickleball?
The third shot drop is a soft, arcing shot hit by the serving team on the third shot of a rally. It is designed to land in the opponents' kitchen, forcing them to hit upward and giving the serving team time to move from the baseline to the kitchen line.
Why is the third shot drop so important?
It solves the serving team's biggest problem: being stuck at the baseline while the returning team controls the kitchen line. A successful drop neutralizes the net team's advantage and allows the serving team to transition forward.
How do I stop hitting the third shot drop into the net?
Focus on hitting up on the ball rather than forward. Bend your knees, open the paddle face slightly, and push the ball upward with your legs. The ball should arc above the net on your side and then fall into the kitchen. If you are consistently hitting the net, you are likely swinging too flat.
Should I always hit a third shot drop?
No. The drop is the default play in most doubles situations, but a drive is better when you have a high, short ball to attack or when the opponents have not moved to the kitchen line. The best players mix drops and drives to keep opponents guessing.
How long does it take to learn the third shot drop?
The basic motion can be learned in a few practice sessions, but consistency under pressure takes months of regular practice. Focus on the drills described above and commit to hitting drops during live play. Track your percentages and you will see steady improvement.
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