Pro pickleball player Paula Rives shows you how to hit the third-shot drop roll
The Third-Shot Drop: Pickleball’s Most Important Shot
Quick answer
The third-shot drop is a soft shot hit on the third shot of a rally (the serving team’s second shot) that drops into the opponent’s kitchen. It buys the serving team time to move up to the kitchen line and cancel out the receiving team’s natural advantage. It’s widely considered the most important shot to master at the intermediate level.
Why the third shot matters so much
Because of the two-bounce rule, the serving team is stuck back at the baseline while the receiving team gets to the kitchen first. That’s a losing position. The third-shot drop is how the serving team catches up: a soft ball into the kitchen forces the opponents to hit up, giving you time to walk in and even out the point.
Drop vs. drive
The alternative is a third-shot drive, a hard, flat drive. Drives work when the return is short and you can attack, but they’re risky and often come right back at you. The drop is the higher-percentage play for getting to the net. Good players mix both to keep opponents honest.
How to hit a third-shot drop
Aim for the ball to peak on your side of the net and land soft in the kitchen, unattackable. Use a low-to-high, gentle lifting motion with a relaxed grip. Then move up immediately, the drop only helps if you use the time it buys to get to the kitchen line.
Common mistakes
- Hitting the drop too high, so it’s attackable at the net.
- Hitting it too low and dumping it into the net.
- Not moving up after the drop, wasting the time it bought you.
- Forcing a drop on every third shot when a drive was the better play.
Frequently asked questions
What is a third-shot drop?
It’s a soft shot hit on the serving team’s third shot of the rally that lands in the opponent’s kitchen, letting the serving team move up to the net.
Why is the third shot so important in pickleball?
The two-bounce rule keeps the serving team pinned at the baseline while the returners reach the kitchen first. The third shot is the serving team’s chance to neutralize that disadvantage and get to the net.
Third-shot drop or third-shot drive, which is better?
The drop is the higher-percentage way to get to the kitchen; the drive is more aggressive and works on short returns. Strong players mix both.
How do you hit a third-shot drop?
Use a gentle low-to-high lifting motion with a relaxed grip so the ball peaks on your side and drops soft into the kitchen, then move up to the line immediately.
Recommended gear
The third-shot drop lives and dies by touch. A control paddle absorbs pace and makes it easier to land the ball soft in the kitchen instead of popping it up.
Best control paddles for the dropUse code KITCHEN everywhere you buy paddles and gear for the lowest price. 💸
