If you’ve been playing pickleball for some time, you already know that a drop shot is one of the most important shots to use. But you may not know that there is common pickleball dropping mistakes often made by many players. Here is a breakdown of what they are so you know whether you’re guilty of them yourself.
What Is Third Shot Drop In Pickleball?
Dropping is usually associated with a third shot drop so let’s go over what it is first. A third shot drop in pickleball is taken after a serve return to make the ball land softly in the opponent’s kitchen so that they cannot attack the ball. When the drop shot requires the ball to bounce first, it gives the team that made the drop shot time to move up to the kitchen line.
Top Six Pickleball Dropping Mistakes
Not Giving Yourself Enough Margin
The worst of all pickleball dropping mistakes, whether a third shot, a fifth, or whatever number is not giving yourself margins over the net. So the ball ends up exactly where you don’t want it–right into the net. That is why you want to give yourself enough margins that the ball will go over the net, especially from the baseline.
This may mean that your drop is not perfect and your opponent could reach it in the air. However, keep in mind that the longer the ball is in play, there is a chance for your opponent to make mistakes. When you try to drop too close to the net and the ball doesn’t make it, the point ends there.
But by keeping the ball in, even if it is a bit high, you give you and your partner a chance to take a step closer to the kitchen line. With each step forwards, it makes each subsequent drop easier until both you and your partner get to the non-volley zone. So make sure you give yourself enough margin from the baseline to the transition zone when you’re making your drop shot.
Rushing Up To The Kitchen Line After A Drop
Most people know that getting to the kitchen line is important in pickleball. However, too many players do this without a thought of where the ball may be in play. So a player may wait for a returned ball after serving and the tendency is to immediately rush up to the kitchen line.
But rushing to the kitchen line before knowing that you made a good, safe drop is a bad choice. Because if you make too high of a drop where your opponent can reach the ball in the air, you become a moving target. Or worse, your opponent may be able to smash the ball at your feet.
It is better for you to be in a stable, ready position no matter where you are on the court than to rush up to the kitchen line. Once you know you or your partner made a safe drop, you can take a step or a few steps. And then be ready for the next shot coming back.
Making A Drop Shot While Moving
Continuing with the pickleball dropping mistake of rushing up to the kitchen is making a drop shot while moving. When your body is moving, it takes more for your eyes and paddle to coordinate with the ball in order to make a good shot. So there will be more chances for errors to fumble the shot.
You could hit the ball into the net. Or drop the ball too high where your opponent can easily attack the ball. There may be times when this may be unavoidable. Your opponent could return the serve super shot or wide. You can minimize this simple mistake by getting into your stable position when you make your drop shot.
When you allow your body to be stable, you can make a much better judgment of the motion you need to take for the ball to safely land in the kitchen.
Only Using Drops As A Third Shot
A third shot drop is undoubtedly the most popular shot in pickleball, whether in rec play or in tournaments. You will see the pros utilize drop shots more than any other shots as a third shot. However, dropping is not only to be used as a third shot.
Dropping can and should be used throughout the play if you or your partner are pulled out of position from the kitchen line. Maybe you had to chase a high lob that landed in the baseline. Or you ran around to chase an overhead smash.
If you have to step back from the kitchen for any reason, you can drop the ball to make your way back into the non-volley zone. Dropping is a great way to reset the ball and to buy you and your partner time.
Using Spin To Drop
One of the most unusual pickleball dropping mistakes is using spin to drop. Whether that is using a backhand or forehand slice. A drop shot is a simple, consistent shot that you can make in the kitchen. When you’re applying spin, you’re giving yourself more chances for unforced errors.
Not many people can consistently apply the right amount of spin by slicing that will land in the right spot. Applying certain spins is great as a service or serve return where you have a large area of the court for the ball to land in. Or a spin dink where you’re already at the kitchen line.
But a drop shot means landing the ball in the small dimensions of the kitchen from the transition zone or the baseline. Ideally, so that your opponent can’t hit the ball in the air and the ball has to bounce first. That is a lot harder to execute when you’re slicing the ball to drop in a small area from a far distance.
Dropping Without Intention
So we know that drop shots are important. But some may not know that where you make your drop shot is as important as making a good one. No matter where you may be in court, make sure you pick a target when making your drop shot. And make sure it is not right at your opponent’s forehand.
A good rule of thumb is to drop to the backhand of your opponent’s crosscourt. Or right in the middle between both of them for possible confusion. It helps to check mentally at the beginning of every new match whether your opponents are righties or lefties.
If one of your opponents is inching on their partner’s side, drop to the area of the kitchen that they’ve stepped away from. Placement of the ball is extremely important to play pickleball well. So where you’re dropping the ball should be as intentional as the shot itself.
More Pickleball Tips
The goal of pickleball is minimizing unforced errors, keeping the ball in play, and looking for good opportunities for a putaway. In order to minimize unforced errors with dropping, it is important to practice the shot before a game. Or better yet, by having a drilling session. All you need is a bag full of pickleball.
For more common pickleball mistakes, check out the next article below.
Read Next: Top Six Common Pickleball Dinking Mistakes