Pickleball Third Shot Drop Strategy: In pickleball, one of the toughest challenges for the service team is moving up to the kitchen line. The opposing team is already there can push them back with shots aimed at their feet. Susannah’s strategy focuses on using a strong third-shot drop to flip the game’s momentum and give the service team control.
Offense vs. Defense Mindset
Most players think the service team is on defense while the team at the kitchen line is on offense. Susannah Bar advises flipping this idea. The service team is actually on offense since they are the only team that can score points. This mindset allows players to hit with confidence and set up their team for success.
Choosing the Right Shot: Drop vs. Drive
The key decision for the service team is whether to hit a third shot drop or a drive. Susannah emphasizes drops because they are powerful and can slow the game down. A good, aggressive drop gives the service team time to move forward and forces opponents to hit upward on the ball, which is harder to control.
Technique for an Effective Drop
To hit a strong drop, timing and footwork are crucial. Players should move toward the ball, let it come to them, then push forward through the shot with their paddle. There is no need for a backswing, but using leg power helps keep balance and add strength.
Smart Placement to Pressure Opponents
Many players aim their drops to the middle, thinking it’s easier because the net is lower there. However, Susannah suggests aiming for the kitchen corners, either crosscourt or straight ahead.
This forces opponents to stretch and lean, increasing their chances of making mistakes. It also helps create angles that shrink the court space as the service team moves forward.
Moving Forward as a Team
When the third shot is hit, the partner who isn’t hitting should start moving forward. Their job is to watch the shot long enough to judge its placement and height, then pressure the opponents by moving up the court. The better the drop shot, the farther they can move forward. This, in turn, allows the player who hit the drop to move forward too.
Pressuring One Opponent by Wedging Into a Corner
Susannah’s strategy includes moving into the corner where the drop was aimed. This “wedging” tactic puts pressure on one opponent and shrinks the court’s open areas. Opponents then have fewer options for returning the ball and are forced to hit to the player in the corner or try difficult angles.
Practice Drills to Build the Pattern
To make this strategy effective, Susannah recommends practicing with a partner. A useful drill is having two players at the kitchen line and two at the baseline.
The team at the baseline practices hitting drop shots to the corners while moving forward as a team. Keeping the score 7-11 makes the drill more competitive, with the kitchen team needing 11 points to win and the baseline team needing 7.
Susannah sums it up by saying the more this pattern becomes a player’s go-to, the more confident and offensive they can be after the third shot. This confidence can lead to winning more points.
News in Brief: Pickleball Third Shot Drop Strategy
Susannah Bar’s third shot drop strategy helps the service team move up to the kitchen line and gain control in pickleball. By aiming drop shots to the corners and moving forward as a team, players can pressure opponents and create smaller court spaces. Practicing this drill builds confidence and earns more points.