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Hey Picklebackers! 🏓✨

Want to feel instantly calmer and more in control on the court? Start with the 3rd shot. It’s the reset, the equalizer, and often the shot that decides who gets to play offense. If pickleball had a “choose-your-own-adventure” moment, the 3rd shot would be it. It’s the instant where a point can settle, shift, or swing wildly depending on what you choose to do next.

In this edition, we’re breaking down the options that help you take control of the rally—from smooth drops to strategic drives to the underused but devastating lob.

Mastering the 3rd Shot: The Most Important Decision in Pickleball

If you ask experienced players what the single most important shot in pickleball is, most won’t say the serve, the overhead, or even the volley—they’ll say the 3rd shot. After the serve and return, the 3rd shot determines the entire shape of the point. It’s your team’s chance to neutralize the returning team’s advantage, work your way to the kitchen, and establish the kind of rally you want. Whether you’re a beginner, a 3.5 improving to 4.0, or an advanced player looking to sharpen strategy, understanding your options on the 3rd shot is crucial.

Why the 3rd Shot Matters

After your partner serves, the returning team usually advances to the kitchen, gaining control of the point. Meanwhile, your team must let the return bounce—meaning you’re still stuck deeper in the court. The 3rd shot is your first real opportunity to counteract that disadvantage. Hit a poor one and your opponents get to attack. Hit the right one and suddenly the point becomes neutral or even shifts in your favor.

The 3rd shot is about transition, not dominance. Think of it as a bridge that gets you forward safely.

Your Three Main Options on the 3rd Shot

1. The 3rd Shot Drop

The gold standard for most situations, especially at intermediate and advanced levels, is the 3rd shot drop. This soft shot arcs over the net and gently lands in your opponent’s kitchen, forcing them to hit up on the ball and preventing them from blasting it back at you.

Why choose the drop?

• It buys you time to advance to the NVZ line.

• It neutralizes the returning team’s advantage.

• It encourages a slow, controlled, dink-based rally you’re better positioned to win once you're at the net.

Keys to hitting an effective drop:

• Aim for a high, soft arc with the apex on your side of the court.

• Use smooth, compact swings—avoid “pushing” or “flicking.”

• Don’t worry about making it perfect; just make it unattackable.

• Move forward immediately after you contact the ball—your feet should not stay frozen behind the baseline.

Best situation for a drop:
Deep, heavy returns that push you back. These returns give you LOTS of space to float a softer ball because your opponents are already in good court position.

2. The 3rd Shot Drive

The drive has become increasingly popular as pickleball evolves. This is a hard, flat shot intended to force a weak volley or a pop-up. A well-timed 3rd shot drive can produce a scramble, earning your team an easy 5th-shot put-away or drop.

Why choose the drive?

• It’s good against opponents who struggle with fast volleys.

• It works when the return is short, sitting up, or placed in the middle.

• It can set up your partner for a strong 5th shot.

Keys to hitting an effective drive:

• Drive with control, not max power—aim to compress the ball, not crush it.

• Target the body or the backhand hip of the opponent at the net.

• Keep your paddle path short and stable.

• Move forward after contact; don’t admire the shot from the baseline.

Best situation for a drive:
Opponent gives you a short or mid-court return, especially with a bit of height.

3. The 3rd Shot Lob

Used far less frequently but still valuable in certain matchups, the 3rd shot lob can completely flip the court.

Why choose the lob?

• Great against aggressive opponents who hug the kitchen line.

• Effective when the return lands short and you’re comfortable lifting the ball.

• It can catch your opponent off-balance, forcing a retreat and neutralizing pressure.

Keys to hitting an effective lob:

• Lift with smooth upward motion, not wrist flicks.

• Aim high and deep—depth is more important than height.

• Be unpredictable; good opponents punish predictable lobs.

Best situation for a lob:
Opponent creeping forward too aggressively or leaning heavily into the court.

How to Decide Which 3rd Shot to Hit

Picking the right 3rd shot isn’t guesswork—it’s reading the return:

• Deep return = Drop. You don’t have angles for a drive, and a drop gives you time.

• Short or loose return = Drive or Lob.

• Opponent crowding the line = Drive at body or Lob over head.

• Opponent hanging back = Drop and move forward.

At the 3.5–4.0 level, mixing your 3rd shots makes you far harder to read.

@corielliott.pb

your third shot decides the whole point ✨ . . . #pickleball #pickleballtips #pickleballcoaching #drop #tips

What NOT to Do on Your 3rd Shot

• Don’t stay glued to the baseline after hitting it.

• Don’t muscle the ball—especially on drops.

• Don’t rush your setup; footwork is everything.

• Don’t be predictable—variety keeps opponents honest.

Your 3rd shot sets the tone for the entire rally. Whether you drop, drive, or lob, your goal is the same: neutralize your opponent’s advantage and move forward toward the kitchen line. Work on all three options, learn to read returns, and you’ll instantly feel more in control of your points. At any level of play, but especially as players transition from 3.5 to 4.0, confidence in your 3rd shot is one of the biggest unlocks in building a complete, winning pickleball game.

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Think of your 3rd shot as your team’s reset button. When you trust it, everything else becomes easier: the transition, the kitchen battle, the pressure moments. Focus on the right option for the right return, and you’ll feel the confidence boost almost immediately.

Dill-lighfully yours,
Your PICKLEBACKCLUB Team 🥒🎾

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