Why is the third shot drop so important?

The third shot drop lets the serving team transition from the baseline to the kitchen line. Without it, you'll be stuck at the back of the court while your opponents control the net.

How long does it take to develop a reliable third shot drop?

With consistent practice (3-4 times per week), most players develop a reliable third shot drop within 2-3 months. It's one of the harder skills to master but also one of the most rewarding.

5 Drills to Improve Your Third Shot Drop

The third shot drop is arguably the most important shot in pickleball. It’s the great equalizer — the shot that lets the serving team work their way to the net after the return of serve. Here are five drills to make yours consistent.

Drill 1: Wall Drop Practice

Stand 14 feet from a wall (kitchen line distance). Hit soft drops against the wall, aiming for the ball to land within 2 feet of the wall’s base on the bounce. Focus on a smooth, pendulum-like swing.

Reps: 50 drops, then rest. Repeat 3 sets.

Drill 2: Target Bucket

Place a bucket or cone just past the kitchen line. From the baseline, practice dropping balls that land as close to the target as possible. Start without pace — just toss the ball up and drop it.

Reps: 30 drops from each side (forehand and backhand).

Drill 3: Partner Feed Drill

Have a partner stand at the kitchen line and feed you medium-pace drives. Your only job is to drop the ball into the kitchen. The partner doesn’t hit it back — they just feed.

Reps: 20 feeds from the forehand side, 20 from the backhand, 20 down the middle.

Drill 4: Live Third Shot

Play out points where the serving team MUST hit a drop on the third shot (no drives allowed). This forces you to practice the drop under game-like pressure.

Games: Play to 11, switching roles.

Drill 5: Progressive Distance

Start at the kitchen line and hit drops cross-court. After 5 successful drops, take one step back. Keep going until you’re at the baseline. This builds feel at every distance.

Goal: Make it to the baseline without missing more than 2 in a row.

Key Technique Tips

Use your legs, not your wrist. The power comes from a gentle lift.
Open your paddle face slightly — about 30-40 degrees.
Follow through toward your target, not upward.
Aim for the apex of the arc to be on YOUR side of the net.

Spend 20 minutes on these drills before your next game and watch your third shot transform.