What is the Third Shot Drop?
Let's start with the basics. In pickleball, the serving team is at a disadvantage. After they serve (shot 1) and the receiving team returns (shot 2), the serving team is stuck at the baseline while the receiving team is already at the net. The third shot is the serving team's first real opportunity to do something about it.
The third shot drop is a soft, arcing shot that lands in the opponent's non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen. The goal is to hit the ball so softly that it bounces low, giving your opponents nothing to attack. This buys you time to move forward and join them at the net.
Think of it like a reset button. You are essentially saying, "I know you have the advantage, but I am going to neutralize it with this one shot."
Key Takeaway
The third shot drop is NOT about winning the point directly. It is about transitioning from defense (baseline) to offense (kitchen line). If your drop lands in the kitchen and stays low, you have succeeded, even if the rally continues.
Why the Third Shot Drop Matters
You might be wondering: why not just blast the ball back at them? Many beginners (and even some intermediate players) try this. They hit a hard drive on their third shot, hoping to catch their opponents off guard. And sometimes it works. But against better players, it is a losing strategy in the long run.
The Math of Net Position
Here is the cold, hard truth. According to data from the PPA Tour, the team that controls the kitchen line wins roughly 70-80% of rallies. That is a massive advantage. If you are stuck at the baseline trading drives, you are playing on hard mode.
The third shot drop is the most reliable way to get to the net safely. A well-executed drop forces your opponents to hit up on the ball, which means they cannot attack you as you move forward.
The Skill Level Divide
Coaches and players often say the third shot drop is the shot that separates 3.5 level players from 4.0 and above. At the 3.5 level, you can get away with aggressive drives because your opponents may not handle pace well. But once you start playing 4.0+ players, they will punish your drives and you will find yourself losing points quickly. Mastering the drop is your ticket to the next level.
| Skill Level | Typical 3rd Shot | Success vs 4.0+ Opponents |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | Hard drive (baseline) | Low (gets attacked) |
| 3.5 | Mix of drives and drops | Medium (inconsistent) |
| 4.0+ | Consistent soft drops | High (controls pace) |
The Mechanics (Step by Step)
Alright, let's get into the how. The third shot drop requires precise technique. Unlike a drive where you can swing hard and let the power do the work, the drop demands control.
1. The Grip
Use a continental grip (imagine shaking hands with your paddle). This grip gives you a slightly open paddle face, which is exactly what you need to lift the ball gently over the net. Avoid a western or semi-western grip; these close the paddle face and make it harder to get lift.
2. Stance and Setup
Position yourself behind the ball. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. The most common mistake is being too close to the ball, which forces you to chop down instead of pushing through.
3. The Swing Path
This is the critical part. The swing path for a third shot drop is LOW TO HIGH. You are not "hitting" the ball; you are "lifting" it. Your paddle should start below your waist and finish around chest height. Think of it as scooping the ball up and over the net.
A common way to visualize it: imagine you are trying to gently toss a raw egg over the net without breaking it. That soft touch is what you are going for.
4. Contact Point
Ideally, you want to contact the ball around knee height or slightly higher. Contacting too early (when the ball is high) often results in a pop-up. Wait for the ball to drop, then push it forward and up.
5. The Follow Through
Your follow-through should be smooth and controlled, not abrupt. Let the paddle finish naturally in front of you. A jerky or short follow-through leads to inconsistency.
Pro Tip
Keep your head still and your eyes on the ball all the way through contact. The biggest cause of inconsistent drops is looking up too early to see where your shot is going. Trust the swing, watch the ball, and let your muscle memory take over.
Third Shot Drop vs Third Shot Drive: When to Use Each
The third shot drop is not the only option. Sometimes, a third shot drive is the better play. Knowing when to use each is part of the art of pickleball strategy.
Use a Third Shot Drop When:
- You have time to set up (the return was deep but not too fast)
- Your opponents are positioned well at the net and ready to attack
- You want to reset the point and transition forward
- You are playing against strong volleyers who feast on pace
Use a Third Shot Drive When:
- The return is short or high, giving you an attackable ball
- One or both opponents are out of position
- You have a speed advantage and want to apply pressure
- Your opponent has weak hands or slow reaction time
Many top players use a mix of both about 60% drops and 40% drives. The key is reading the situation. If you are unsure, the drop is usually the safer play.
For more on offensive vs defensive shot selection, check out our guide on Mastering Pickleball Spin.
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
Even experienced players make errors on the third shot drop. Here are the most common ones I see at rec play and tournaments, along with fixes.
Mistake 1: Hitting Too Hard
The drop requires soft hands. If you are muscling the ball, it will sail long or sit up high for an easy put-away.
Fix: Focus on your grip pressure. On a scale of 1-10, your grip should be around a 4. Loose hands equal soft shots.
Mistake 2: Chopping Down on the Ball
A downward swing produces backspin on a short trajectory, which often lands in the net.
Fix: Commit to the low-to-high swing path. Let your legs do some of the work by bending and then rising through the shot.
Mistake 3: Poor Footwork
If you are reaching for the ball instead of moving to it, your body mechanics will be off.
Fix: Take small adjustment steps to get your body behind the ball. Your non-paddle foot should be pointing toward your target.
Mistake 4: Aiming at the Net
Many players focus on just getting the ball over the net. The problem is, this often leads to hitting into the net or barely clearing it only for the ball to land too deep.
Fix: Pick a target in the kitchen full stop. Visualize the ball landing on a specific spot, not just "somewhere over there."
Mistake 5: Not Moving Forward After the Shot
The drop is only half the battle. If you hit a great drop but stay at the baseline, you have wasted it.
Fix: As soon as you make contact, take 2-3 steps forward. Get ready for a possible fifth shot drop or transition volley.
Best Paddles for Third Shot Drops
Your paddle can make a difference, especially for touch shots like the drop. While technique is king, certain paddle characteristics lend themselves to soft game play.
What to Look For:
- Thicker Core (16mm): A thicker core provides a larger "sweet spot" and better feel on soft shots.
- Control-Oriented Face: Paddles with a carbon fiber or fiberglass face tend to offer more feedback.
- Medium Weight (7.8-8.3 oz): Too light and you lose stability; too heavy and you sacrifice touch.
Some excellent options from our reviews include the Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm, which Ben Johns himself uses for its blend of power and control. For a more control-focused option, the CRBN 1X Power Series 16mm is a favorite among players who prioritize their soft game. If you are looking for a value pick, the Pro Series Paddle offers solid performance at a lower price point.
For a deeper dive into paddle selection, read our Ultimate Paddle Buying Guide 2025.
5 Drills to Master the Third Shot Drop
Reading about the drop is one thing; ingraining it into your muscle memory is another. Here are five drills to practice.
Drill 1: Target Practice (Solo)
Place a towel or cone in the kitchen. Stand at the baseline and drop balls onto the target. Start with 10 in a row. Then 20. Once you can hit 30 out of 50 on target, you are building consistency.
Drill 2: The Feeding Drill (Partner)
Have a partner stand at the kitchen line and feed you balls with moderate pace. Your job is to drop every ball back into the kitchen while they catch or block it. Focus on height and placement.
Drill 3: The Transition Drill (Partner)
Start at the baseline. Hit a third shot drop, then immediately move forward. Your partner feeds another ball (simulating a fifth shot), and you hit another drop or reset. Continue until you reach the kitchen line. This simulates real game flow.
Drill 4: Crosscourt Drops (Partner)
Practice hitting third shot drops crosscourt specifically. The crosscourt angle gives you more margin for error (the net is lower in the center, and the distance is longer). Alternate between forehand and backhand sides.
Drill 5: Live Point Play (With a Twist)
Play a normal game, but add a rule: the serving team MUST hit a drop on their third shot (no drives allowed). This forces you to rely on the drop and learn how to recover when it is not perfect.
The Mental Game
The third shot drop is as much mental as it is physical. It is easy to get frustrated when your drops land in the net or pop up for easy winners. Here is how to stay composed.
Accept That You Will Miss Some
Even the best players in the world miss third shot drops. Ben Johns, arguably the greatest player ever, does not land 100% of his drops. The goal is consistency over perfection. If you land 6 out of 10 drops in the kitchen, you are doing well.
Commit to the Shot
Indecision kills the drop. If you are halfway between hitting a drive and a drop, you will likely hit a bad version of both. Make a decision early, visualize the trajectory, and commit fully.
Reset After a Bad One
If you miss a drop, do not dwell on it. Literally reset your mind. Take a breath before the next serve. A string of bad drops often happens because players are thinking about the last mistake instead of the next shot.
Advanced Tips from the Pros
Once you have the fundamentals down, here are some next-level concepts to explore.
Vary Your Depth
Not every drop needs to land at the same spot. Mix up deep drops (closer to the kitchen line) and short drops (just over the net). This keeps your opponents guessing and adjusting, which can cause errors.
Add Sidespin
A drop with slight sidespin can curve away from your opponent, making it harder to attack. Practice hitting the outside edge of the ball to create this effect. It is subtle but effective.
Use the Middle
In doubles, dropping to the middle of the court, right between your two opponents, creates confusion about who should take it. This often results in a weak response or even a miscommunication.
Watch the Returner's Feet
Before you hit your drop, glance at where the returner is standing. If they are cheating forward, your drop needs to be sharper and lower. If they are hanging back, you have more margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high should my third shot drop arc?
Aim for the ball to peak about 2-3 feet above the net at its highest point. Too high and it becomes attackable; too low and it hits the net.
Should I drop to the forehand or backhand side?
Generally, the backhand side is weaker for most players. But the best answer is: drop to the middle, or to whichever opponent you have scouted as having the weaker soft game.
What if my drop pops up?
Be ready to defend. If you pop the ball up, immediately get your paddle up and prepare for a hard shot coming back. A good defense can still save the point.
Can I use topspin on a third shot drop?
Yes, but use it sparingly. A light topspin drop can dip quickly, but too much spin often causes the ball to jump up after the bounce. Check out our Spin Guide for more.
Final Thoughts
The third shot drop is not glamorous. It does not make highlight reels like a crushing overhead or a behind-the-back dink. But if you want to win more games and climb the skill ladder, there is no more valuable shot in pickleball.
It takes patience to learn. You will hit hundreds (maybe thousands) of drops into the net before it starts to feel natural. That is okay. Every great player went through the same process.
Focus on the process: soft hands, low-to-high swing, eyes on the ball, and move forward. The results will follow.
If you are looking for more ways to improve your game, check out our articles on Pickleball Tips and Tricks and Preventing Injuries so you can stay healthy while you grind those drills.
See you at the kitchen line.