What is the third shot drop?

It's a soft, arcing shot hit by the serving team on their third shot of the rally — from around the baseline — that lands in the opponents' kitchen. Because it lands soft and low, it can't be attacked, which gives the serving team the time they need to move up to the net.

Why is the third shot drop so important?

The serving team starts at a disadvantage: the two-bounce rule keeps them back while the returning team gets to the net first. The third shot drop is how the serving team neutralizes that — it's the shot that lets them advance and turn a defensive position into an even one.

Should I drop or drive the third shot?

Drop when you're balanced and the return is deep — it's the safe, position-winning play. Drive when you get a high, short return you can attack, or to mix up the pattern. Many players drive-then-drop: hit a hard drive, then drop the fifth shot. Start by learning the drop; it's the higher-percentage default.

Pickleball Strategy Guide

The Key Shot

The Third Shot Drop

If there’s one shot that separates levels, it’s this. The third shot drop is a soft shot from the baseline into the opponents’ kitchenthat buys the serving team time to get to the net. Here’s why it exists and how to hit it.

By the VolleyForge team · Reviewed August 2026

Why the serving team needs it

Because of the two-bounce rule, the returning team gets to the net first while the serving team is stuck back. If the serving team just drives the third shot into two players at the net, it comes back hard for a put-away. The dropsolves this: a soft ball they can’t attack, which lets you walk up to the line behind it.

How to hit it

Think of it as a long dink. Get low, use a gentle lifting motion from the shoulder (not the wrist), and aim for an arc that peaks on your side of the net and drops into the kitchen. Contact out in front, paddle face slightly open. Aim for the kitchen, not the line — a drop that lands a foot inside the kitchen is perfect; one you try to hit too low goes into the net.

Move up behind it

The drop is only half the play — the point is to advance. As soon as you hit a good drop, split-step and move toward the kitchen line. You may need two or three drops in a rally before you get all the way up; that’s normal. Patience: reset, advance, repeat.

When to drive instead

The drop isn’t the only option. If you get a short, high returnyou can attack, drive it. Many strong players use a “drive-and-drop” pattern — a hard third to force a pop-up, then a soft fifth to come in. But the drop is the higher-percentage default, so learn it first.

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