Pickleball Third Shot Drip Technique: Pickleball pro Susannah Barr has introduced a powerful shot called the “third shot drip” in a training session hosted by the Flying Pickle Academy. This move combines a drive and a drop, aiming to pressure opponents with a fast, spinning shot that’s hard to return. The lesson breaks down how to master this shot step-by-step.
What Is the Drip?
The “drip” is a nickname for an aggressive third-shot drop. Susannah Barr explained, “Some people call this a drip. Some people call it a hybrid drop. Some people might even call it an ankle breaker.” It blends speed and top spin to keep the ball low and hard to return. This move has become a key part of modern, fast-paced pickleball strategy.
Coach Dom added, “So, the whole point of this drill is to throw out that old adage of let’s get nice and high, drop that ball into the kitchen. Because right now, if you do that, you’re under attack.”
Why It’s So Effective
The shot looks like a drop, but drops fast and close to the net. Opponents expect to take it out of the air, but it falls too quickly. “What makes this shot so difficult to defend is that you recognize it’s a drop… but it drops so quickly once it gets over that net,” said Susannah Barr. This often forces opponents to short-hop the ball, leading to mistakes.
Susannah Barr explained that the shot uses the second half of a drive motion, skipping the wind-up. The result is a short, powerful stroke that keeps the paddle steady. “The number one thing that you want to remember when you’re hitting this drop is that you do need to add pace,” she added. “An aggressive ankle breaker drop has top spin, guys.”
How to Hit the Drip
Players should lower their paddle head, keep the paddle facing their target, and use their legs to lean into the shot. “Accelerate at contact point,” Susannah Barr said. “That’s going to add that pace. That’s going to add that whip and that’s going to make that ball dip and then skid off the court.”
Footwork is also key. “Footwork is important because you need to get yourself into position so that you can be balanced to hit the ball you want to hit.”
She recommends keeping the paddle out front and aiming at the opponent’s feet or near the kitchen line: “I don’t want it to go much deeper than that because I don’t want them to be able to get it out of the air.”
Dripping from Both Sides
The shot works on both forehand and backhand. On the forehand, players should keep their follow-through short for quicker recovery. “One of my goals is to keep this ball pretty low over the net,” Barr said.
For backhands, Barr advises a two-handed grip to control spin: “It’s going to be a lot easier, guys, with a two hand because we’re going to be able to get that top spin.” She noted the movement should stay forward, not upward: “Your goal with this ball is not up, but forward.”
When and Where to Use the Drip
Coach Dom advised using the drip when opponents are still moving into position: “You might want to be going at the player who is still coming up.” This can catch them off guard. The drip can also target players out of position or creeping toward the middle.
What Comes After
After hitting the drip, players must be ready to follow up. Susannah Barr said, “I’m really looking for my partner to charge in and take advantage of the pressure that I put on my opponent already with that ball.”
If the ball comes back, players can attack again with a fifth shot drive. “We’re trying to use this shot to put a lot of pressure on our opponents from a third shot position,” Barr said.
The Bigger Picture
The drip represents a shift in pickleball strategy. Rather than soft drops that reset the point, this shot applies immediate pressure. It keeps the game fast and offensive, aligning with how modern pros play.
As Susannah Barr said, “I’ve been doing this for years and I’m going to show you how to do it.” With top players like her leading the way, expect to see more ankle-breaking shots in the near future.
News in Brief: Pickleball Third Shot Drip Technique
Pickleball pro Susannah Barr teaches the “third shot drip,” a fast, spinning drop shot that combines drive and drop techniques. This aggressive move is hard to defend and puts pressure on opponents. The Flying Pickle Academy session helps players master footwork, spin, and timing from both forehand and backhand sides.
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