Mastering Pickleball’s Fourth Shot: In pickleball, the fourth shot is often overlooked, but it plays a crucial role in setting up the game. Kyle from ThatPickleballSchool explains how understanding and improving your fourth shot can drastically affect your success on the court.
The fourth shot in pickleball occurs right after your opponent’s third shot. After you return the serve, and your opponent hits their third shot, the next one is your fourth shot. It may seem like just another moment in the game, but it’s an important opportunity to gain a key advantage, especially when it comes to the kitchen line.
Understanding the Kitchen Advantage
In pickleball, the kitchen (the non-volley zone near the net) is a powerful position to occupy. Players at the kitchen zone have a major advantage, as they’re in the best spot to control the game. If you and your partner can both reach the kitchen, that’s called a “plus two” advantage. If only one of you makes it there, it’s a “plus one.”
On the other hand, if your opponent has two players at the kitchen, you’re in a neutral position or at a disadvantage. The goal is to return the ball and quickly move to the kitchen to keep that advantage.
What Happens During the Fourth Shot?
The type of third shot your opponent hits determines how you should respond with your fourth shot. They can either choose a third shot drive (hitting the ball hard and fast) or a third shot drop (trying to land the ball softly near the kitchen).
When your opponent drives the ball, the goal is to maintain your “plus one” or turn it into a “plus two” advantage. A quick response can force your opponent into a defensive position. If your opponent hits a drive, your best option is to block it back, using short, controlled swings to avoid mistakes. Trying to hit too hard can result in sending the ball out of bounds.
In contrast, if the third shot is a drop, your job is to either smash the ball or control the point by keeping your opponents back. If the drop lands higher or near the net, you should look to attack. If it’s a good drop, it’s important to make a decision: let it bounce and apply pressure from a higher contact point, or take it out of the air and try to keep your opponents off balance.
The Fourth Shot Mistake to Avoid
One common mistake players make during the fourth shot is trying to do too much with a “pretty good” drop shot. Sometimes players aren’t sure whether to let the ball bounce or hit it out of the air.
Kyle advises that if the drop shot is good but not perfect, it’s okay to let it bounce. By doing so, you can strike the ball from a higher position, allowing you to apply more pressure.
Conceding the Kitchen
There are moments when you may need to concede the kitchen, especially if the drop is a high-quality shot with topspin or a low trajectory. In such cases, it’s important to recognize when you can’t effectively pressure the shot and let your opponents move to the kitchen.
The key is knowing when to back off and not force a mistake. Kyle recommends stepping back and aiming for a cross-court dink, which gives more margin for error and prevents your opponents from attacking.
Why the Fourth Shot Matters
The fourth shot might not be the most glamorous, but it’s a game-changer. Mastering it can help you gain or maintain the kitchen advantage, setting you up for winning points. It’s about keeping your opponents on their toes and controlling the pace of the game.
News in Brief: Mastering Pickleball’s Fourth Shot
Kyle from ThatPickleballSchool breaks down the importance of the fourth shot in pickleball. By understanding the fourth shot, players can gain the kitchen advantage and improve their overall game strategy. Avoiding common mistakes and knowing when to concede the kitchen can make a big difference in match outcomes.
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