Third Shot Drop: The 5-Step Beginner’s Guide
If you feel stuck at the back of the court and constantly lose points to hard-hitting opponents, the third shot is your biggest weakness. Every point starts with the serve and the return, but the third shot is where rallies are won or lost. Without a reliable third shot, you’re forced to play defense from the back, making it nearly impossible to transition to the net and take control of the game.
The good news? Mastering the third shot drop is the single most important skill that unlocks the next level of play. It allows you to safely move from the baseline to the Non-Volley Zone (the Kitchen), forcing your opponents to hit up at you. It’s the key to turning a defensive situation into an offensive opportunity, and you don't need excessive power to do it—you need touch and control.
The 5 Steps to Mastering The Third Shot Drop:
- Grip and Stance
- The Cradle
- The Target
- The Follow-Through
- Drill It To Kill It
Step 1: Grip and Stance: Setting Up for Softness
The third shot drop is all about finesse, not force. Your setup is crucial.
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The Grip: You must use or transition to the Continental Grip (often called the "Hammer" grip, where you hold the paddle like a hammer). This grip gives you the ability to naturally open the paddle face, which is essential for adding the necessary loft and backspin to the ball. A standard forehand grip won't give you the touch you need.
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The Stance: Keep your body low by bending your knees. This helps you get under the low-bouncing ball. The motion should feel less like a heavy swing and more like a controlled lift. Think of your arm as a piston, keeping the action smooth and compact.
Step 2: The Cradle (The Secret to No Pop)
The biggest mistake players make is trying to generate power, which makes the ball float too deep. The secret is to absorb and lift the ball.
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Open the Paddle Face: Use your Continental grip to angle the paddle face upward (pointing slightly toward the ceiling). This open face is what gives the ball arc and height, preventing it from sailing long.
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The Contact Point: Always contact the ball out in front of your body. Aim for contact around knee level. By hitting the ball slightly lower and further out, you have more space to create the upward lifting motion, ensuring the ball clears the net and lands softly.
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Absorb the Pace: When the ball makes contact with your paddle, soften your grip slightly. This "cradling" motion uses the paddle's natural shock absorption (especially if you're using a control paddle) to neutralize the opponent's pace.
Step 3: The Target: Lift, Don't Hit
Where you aim determines the success of the entire shot. Don't aim just to clear the net.
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The Primary Target: Aim for a spot about 1 to 2 feet over the net. You need enough height to make the ball drop straight down onto the Kitchen line.
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The Drop Zone: The ideal target on the court is the area just inside the Kitchen, right around the opponent’s feet. When the ball lands here, the opponent is forced to hit the ball up, which gives you and your partner time to rush forward and establish your winning position at the net.
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Execution Cue: Give yourself a simple mental command: “Lift it, don’t hit it.” Let the arc of the ball do the work, not your swing speed.
Step 4: The Follow-Through (Short and Sweet)
A long, aggressive follow-through will add too much forward momentum, turning your beautiful drop into a hittable drive.
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Short and Upward: The follow-through should be concise and short. Stop the paddle shortly after contact.
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Finish High: Your paddle should finish with the face pointing toward the ceiling or the sky, not across the court. This upward finish helps ensure you have maintained the open paddle face and added the maximum amount of lift.
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Keep the Wrist Firm: Avoid the temptation to snap your wrist. A flick of the wrist will make the shot inconsistent. The motion should come from the shoulder and elbow while keeping the wrist solid.
Step 5: Drill It to Kill It (Actionable Practice)
The third shot drop requires repetition to build muscle memory. Dedicate at least 15 minutes of every practice session to these drills.
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The Box Drill: Place a cardboard box or a laundry basket 2-3 feet past the net, just inside the Kitchen. Stand at the baseline and practice hitting drops until you can consistently land 5 in the box. This helps you learn the necessary arc and distance.
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The Line Drill: Without a partner, stand at the baseline and try to land the ball consistently right on the Non-Volley Zone line. If you can land it on the line, you know you have the arc correct.
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The Live Transition Game: Play a game of "Third Shot Only." The person receiving the serve must hit a hard return, and the serving team must attempt a drop on the third shot. If the drop lands in the Kitchen, the point continues; if it lands long or hits the net, the point is over. This builds in-game pressure.
Ready to Elevate Your Game?
Consistency, not power, is the secret weapon of an elite pickleball player. Having a paddle with the right control and feel—like the raw carbon face and large-cell polypropylene core of the FLiK Paddle—will help you achieve the soft touch needed for successful drops.
Ready to stop losing points and start winning rallies? The ultimate control paddle can make the difference between a successful drop and a missed opportunity.
[Shop FLiK Pickleball Paddles Now to Find Your Control Edge!]
~Joann Nicodemus, COO FLiK Pickleball
I write for beginners, with easy and practical explanations about rules and skills. Pickleball can be overwhelming for those new to the game. I hope to take away the confusion and ease the intimidation, with practical guides and tips for practicing and drilling.
We all have to start somewhere. I want to provide information for those just starting out - whether you come from another racquet sport or just want to be active and have fun. Pickleball is made to be social and fun. Improving strokes and learning skills enables you to join open plays and not be intimidated.
Take your time. Enjoy the journey!