Published on by The Pickleball Pro
TL;DR
- The third shot drop is that soft floater that keeps you from getting your head taken off by guys waiting at the net.
- You pop it up because you grip the paddle like a gorilla and swing with your wrist like a clown. Stop doing that.
- We have a dead-simple drill to fix it. If you can't do this, just sell your paddles.
Why Your Third Shot Is Absolute Trash (And Why You Need to Fix It)
Let's be real. You just served, they returned it deep, and now you're stuck at the baseline while two guys named Kyle and Chad are at the net with their paddles up, just daring you to screw up. And what do you do? You either drill it right into the net or pop up a beautiful, juicy meatball for them to smash right back in your face.
This is the moment you lose the point, and it's because you're terrified of the third shot drop. It's the most important shot in the game, period. It's not a shot to win the point; it's a shot to *not lose* the point. Its only job is to buy you time to get your butt from the baseline to the kitchen line so you can actually play. If you can't hit a drop, you're toast.
How to Hit the Damn Thing: Technique for Dummies
The problem is you're trying to hit the ball hard. This is a touch shot. It's finesse. If you don't have any, it's time to learn.
Your Foundation: Don't Squeeze the Life Out of It
On a scale of 1-10, hold the paddle at a 3. A death grip is for power, and power is your enemy here. Get low, bend your knees. You're an athlete, not a statue.
The Swing: It's a Lift, Not a Slap
Think "low-to-high." You're lifting the ball, not hitting it. The motion comes from your shoulder, not your wrist. If you're flicking your wrist, you're gonna pop it up every single time. Lock that wrist and let your shoulder do the work. Just scoop the ball and send it gently over the net.
The "Stop Sucking" Drill
You're not gonna get this by reading about it. You need reps. Grab a buddy and do this until you can't lift your arm.
The Setup
Have your partner stand at the kitchen line. Their only job is to block balls back. Your job is to hit drop shots into their kitchen. Simple.
Step 1: Start at Mid-Court
Yeah, that's right. Don't even start at the baseline. Stand halfway between the baseline and the kitchen. Get the feel for that soft, lifting shot. Hit 30 of them. If you can't do it from here, you have no hope from the back.
Step 2: Move Your Butt Back
Once you're not a total disaster from mid-court, move back to the baseline. Same exact swing, just a little more oomph from the shoulder. The goal is the same: a soft arc into the kitchen. If you start hitting rockets or pop-ups, you're done. Go back to mid-court and start over.
Fixing Your Screw-Ups
- Popping it up? You're using your wrist, dummy. Lock it. And loosen your death grip.
- Hitting the net? Bend your knees. Get under the ball. It's a lift.
- Running while you hit? Stop it. Plant your feet, hit the ball, *then* run to the net. One thing at a time.
When to Use the Drop in a Game: A No-Brainer Guide
People overthink this. It's painfully simple. Look where your opponents are.
Are they camping at the net waiting to kill the ball? Hit a third shot drop. Duh. Are they scrambling way back behind the baseline because of a deep return? Okay, fine. You can hit a hard drive at them. That's it. That's the whole strategy.
The Bottom Line
- The third shot drop is to keep you from getting killed. Use it.
- Light grip. No wrist. Lift the ball.
- Do the drill until it's second nature.
- If they're close, drop it. If they're deep, drive it. Done.
So, there you have it. Stop being a coward at the baseline. Go practice this shot until it's automatic. Your partner will thank you for it. Now get out there and stop sucking.