If pickleball had a growth spurt moment, it would be the third shot. This one shot - hit right after the return of serve - might not look flashy, but it's the turning point that separates casual hitters from strategic players in control of the rally.
Whether you're brand new or tired of getting stuck in the transition zone while your opponents camp out at the kitchen line, understanding the third shot is a total game-changer.
🎯 What Is the Third Shot Anyway?
Let's break it down:
- Serve ✅ (1st Shot)
- Return ✅ (2nd Shot)
- Now it's the serving team's turn. That next shot? That's the third shot—and it sets the tone for everything that follows.
You've got options:
- The Third Shot Drop – a soft, arcing shot that lands just over the net in your opponent's kitchen.
- The Third Shot Drive – a fast, low, aggressive shot hit deep to the opponent's baseline.
- The Third Shot Lob - a high, deep shot hit towards the baseline to send the opponents scrambling back.
🍳 Why the Third Shot Matters So Much
In pickleball, the team closest to the kitchen typically wins more points. The receiving team already has one player in a prime spot to control the rally. The serving team is stuck back at the baseline with much ground to cover. This is where the Third Shot comes into play: drop, drive, or lob.
What is a third-shot drop, and why hit it?
Think of it like an extended dink—except you're hitting it from further back with more follow-through to give a higher arc with a lot of intention.
Hitting a third shot drop gives your team the chance to:
- Slow down the pace
- Buy time to move up to the kitchen
- Neutralize your opponent's kitchen-line advantage
- Plan your next shot or defend without panic
🥚 Coach's Tip: It's Like Tossing an Egg
Here's a visual: you're not smashing this shot. You're lifting it like tossing an egg over the net.
- Get under the ball and hit the ball out in front of you
- Use a smooth, low-to-high swing path
- Extend your follow-through to add lift
- Aim for it to land softly in the kitchen, ideally making your opponents think, "Ugh, I can't attack."
That graceful arc? That's your signal to start moving in. One step, then another, and soon you're right up at the kitchen line where you belong.
💥 When to Drive Instead
The third shot drop is great, but it's not the only option. If your opponents give you a short return or you feel confident hitting hard and low, a third shot drive can be just as effective.
It might not buy you time to move in like the drop, but it keeps an opponent back and can force a weak reply that you can follow behind.
🚀 Should I Lob?
A third shot lob can be a surprise play - lofting the ball over the opponents and pushing them back to the baseline. It's riskier, but if your opponents are crowding the net and not expecting it, why not mix it up?
🧠 Master The Third Shot and Take Control
The third shot isn't just a tactic—it's a mindset. It says, "We're not panicking. We're playing smart by setting up the point instead of scrambling through it.
🎲 Want to Practice Strategy Off the Court?
Keep the Pickleball Fun Rolling 🎉
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