In any racquet sport, including pickleball, shot selection is extremely important. The third shot in pickleball doubles can often end the point before all players reach the kitchen line. In order to make the right shot selection, let’s go over when to drop versus drive as your pickleball third shot.
When To Drive Your Third Shot In Pickleball
The Serve Return Was Short
Driving the ball on a short serve return can be an effective shot selection because you’re already that much closer to the kitchen line. The closer you are to your opponents, the less time they will have to react to a shot.
So if you have a fast and powerful drive on a short serve return, less distance means less time to slow the ball down. If the serve return was also high, it makes it easier for you to make a good drive.
If Your Opponent Is Moving
Driving that ball at your opponent while they’re rushing to the kitchen line makes sense when your opponent returns the ball short. The shorter the serve return, the less time that your opponent will have to move up to the kitchen line.
Driving at your opponent while they’re moving can catch them off guard, force them to prop the ball up, or hit it into the net. If you’re able to drive at the feet, it will make it a lot harder for them to return the ball. They may have to scoop the ball up, which will make it easier for you and your partner to finish the point.
If A Good Drop Will Be Difficult
There are situations that may make a good drop difficult. If the serve return is deeper than you expected and it causes you to be off-balance, a drive may buy you time to get back to your stable position. That may mean that you and your partner would have to stay back for a counter. And then make a good fifth shot drop in order to move up.
Another scenario that makes a good drop hard to execute is playing on a windy day. Whether you’re on the side of the court that is against the wind or the wind is changing directions every few minutes. In that case, drops may not be effective at all. Driving your way from a third shot until you inch closer to the net to make a better drop could be a great strategy.
To Mix It Up
Adding an element of unpredictability and disguising your shot is also important in pickleball. If you always do the same thing and take the same shots, it makes it that much easier for your opponents to be ready and return your shot.
If you’re planning to enter a tournament or you’re playing with new people, mixing up your shots will also allow you to see what your opponents’ weaknesses are. Some players may have a weak block, especially if your drives are powerful. It could cause your opponents to prop the ball up for you or your partner to put away the ball.
When To Drop Your Third Shot In Pickleball
Arguably the most common third shot in pickleball doubles is a third shot drop. A drop shot in pickleball is a soft shot that will land (hopefully) with a low bounce in your opponent’s kitchen. A good drop will buy you and your partner time to get up to the kitchen line.
Drops are extremely effective in all levels of pickleball because it makes the ball unattackable. So in what types of specific scenarios should you use a drop as your third shot?
If You Don’t Have A Strong Drive
If you don’t have a particularly strong drive, a third shot drop will almost always be the third shot that you make. A drop shot also tends to be the safest shot to make as a third shot.
If The Serve Return Is Deep
If your opponent’s serve return is deep, a drive will not be as effective from the baseline. That is because the more distance there is between your opponents and the ball, the more time they will have to react. The ball will slow down by the time it reaches your opponent’s side of the court. So if you’re driving from the baseline, know that it will most likely come back to you.
If The Serve Return Comes With Backspin
If your opponent returns the serve by slicing, whether a forehand or backhand slice, you will want to drop the ball. That is because a slice will create a backspin on the ball, keeping it low. If you attempt to drive the ball with a backspin, it will most likely go into the net. Instead, you will want to “lift” the ball and drop it as your third shot.
More Pickleball Tips
While driving and dropping are the most popular pickleball third shots to make, don’t forget that you can also lob your third shot. Lobbing can be just as effective as the third shot in certain scenarios, especially if you’re too off-balance to drive or drop.
Whether your pickleball third shot selection is a drive, a drop, or a different shot, the most effective way to execute it is to practice those shots. All you need is a friend and invest in the time, a caddy, and some balls. For more pickleball tips, check out the next article.
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