# What Is the Third-Shot Drop in Pickleball?

https://picklecall.app/blog/strategy/what-is-the-third-shot-drop-in-pickleball · Strategy; published 2026-11-01, updated 2026-11-01 · Kallos Labs

> The third-shot drop is a soft, controlled shot the serving team hits into the opponents' kitchen on the third shot of a rally. It buys time to move up to the net.

The third-shot drop is a soft, controlled shot that the serving team hits into the opponents' kitchen on the third shot of a rally. It lands low and short, so the other side cannot attack it, and that gives your team time to walk up to the net. Want to win more rallies in doubles? This is the first strategy shot to learn. This guide covers what it is, why it works, how to hit it and when to hit something else. For more on tactics, see our [strategy guides](https://picklecall.app/blog/strategy).

## What is the third-shot drop?

A [third-shot drop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_pickleball_terms) is a serving-team tactic. You place the ball just over the net into the opponents' non-volley zone, which makes it hard for them to attack. It is a soft shot, a lot like a dink, but hit from the back of the court. One [coaching article](https://pickleballcanada.org/newsletter/the-three-ds-of-pickleball-dink-drop-drive-2/) calls it "basically a dink from a longer distance away from the net".

The count goes like this:

1. Your team serves. That is shot one.
2. The other team returns the serve. That is shot two.
3. Your team hits the next ball. That is shot three, and that is the drop.

The target is the [kitchen](https://picklecall.app/blog/rules/what-is-the-kitchen-rule-in-pickleball), the 7 foot by 20 foot zone next to the net where nobody can volley. A drop that lands there has to bounce before the other side can hit it.

## Why does the serving team need it?

Because of the [two-bounce rule](https://picklecall.app/blog/rules/what-is-the-two-bounce-rule-in-pickleball), the serve and the return both have to bounce before anyone can volley. That keeps the serving team at the back of the court for the first shots. The returning team, meanwhile, can move forward right away and take the net.

The drop closes that gap. The [skills guide](https://usapickleball.org/strategies/basics-of-the-third-shot-drop/) describes it as the bridge between the baseline and the kitchen line. A soft ball forces the other side to let it bounce, so there is no hard volley coming at you while you move up. Once you and your partner reach the kitchen line, the rally is about even again, and that is where most points are won.

## How do you hit a third-shot drop?

The same guide breaks the shot into three basics.

- Stance. Use a semi-open stance, halfway between facing the net and facing the sideline. It keeps your motion compact and helps you aim straight.
- Paddle position. Keep the paddle in front of your body. Picture a brick wall just behind your legs and do not swing back past it. A short backswing gives you control.
- Grip. Hold the paddle loosely, about a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. A tight grip sends the ball too far.

Now the footwork. Take small steps, stay low, and move behind the ball so you contact it out in front of you. Keep the swing short, but finish it. Following through helps you repeat the shot.

For placement, hit crosscourt when you can. A crosscourt ball travels over the lowest part of the net, which gives you more room for error than a ball down the line.

## Should you drop or drive?

The drop is not the only third shot. A drive is a fast, hard shot meant to put pressure on the other side. A [skills article on the third shot](https://usapickleball.org/pickleball-skills/level-three/mastering-the-third-shot-in-pickleball/) gives clear rules for choosing.

| Situation | Better choice |
|---|---|
| The return is low and hard to drive | Drop |
| You were pushed deep and need time to move up | Drop |
| The return is short and bounces high | Drive |
| You are off balance and need a simpler shot | Drive |

A drive can also set up a drop. If the drive forces a weak reply, the fifth shot is often an easier drop. After a strong third shot, move up to the line. After a weak one, hold back, play defense and aim to reach the kitchen on the fifth shot. For where to move once you are up, see [where to stand in doubles](https://picklecall.app/blog/doubles/where-to-stand-in-pickleball-doubles).

## What mistakes should you avoid?

Most bad drops come from the same few habits.

- A big backswing, which costs you control.
- A tight grip, which sends the ball past the kitchen.
- Reaching for the ball instead of moving your feet.
- Trying to be perfect. The Pickleball Canada article says it plainly: "Don't try to be perfect." A drop into the net is the worst result, and if the ball is not ideal, moving up a step or two can still help.

To practice, try a simple drill. One player stands at the net and one at the baseline. The back player tries to hit drops and reach the net, while the net player tries to keep them back without attacking.

## Why does it matter for the score?

In [side-out scoring](https://picklecall.app/features/side-out-scoring), only the serving side can win a point. If the serving team loses the rally, the serve moves on, and after a side out the other team serves. A good third shot helps your team win the rally it started, and that is how a serving team scores. For the difference between the two formats, read [side-out and rally scoring](https://picklecall.app/blog/formats/side-out-vs-rally-scoring-pickleball).

## Try it with Pickle Call

Pick one drill, play a few games with a friend, and let the scoring take care of itself. Pickle Call is coming to iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. It takes one tap per rally and keeps the call, the server number and the serving side for you, so you can focus on your drop. No account. No tracking.

## Bottom line

The third-shot drop is a soft shot into the opponents' kitchen that lets the serving team move up to the net. Drop a low ball or when you are pushed deep, drive a short high one, and do not chase a perfect shot.

## Questions

### Is the third-shot drop a rule?

No. It is a tactic, not a rule, and the rulebook does not require it. Players use it because it is a safe way to get from the back of the court to the kitchen line.

### Who hits the third shot in doubles?

The serving team. One player serves, the receiving team returns, and the serving team hits the next ball. That is the third shot of the rally.

### Should I drop or drive on the third shot?

Drop a low ball that is hard to drive, or when you are pushed deep. Drive a short, high ball or when you are off balance. A drive can also set up an easier drop on the fifth shot.

### Where should the drop land?

In the opponents' kitchen, low over the net. Hitting crosscourt sends the ball over the lowest part of the net, which gives you more room for error.

### What if my drop is not perfect?

Do not chase perfect. The worst result is a drop into the net. If the ball is not ideal, taking a step or two forward can still help you.


## Sources

- [Pickleball skills guide: Basics of the Third Shot Drop](https://usapickleball.org/strategies/basics-of-the-third-shot-drop/)
- [Pickleball skills guide: Mastering the Third Shot, Drop vs. Drive](https://usapickleball.org/pickleball-skills/level-three/mastering-the-third-shot-in-pickleball/)
- [Pickleball Canada: The Three Ds of Pickleball, Dink, Drop, Drive](https://pickleballcanada.org/newsletter/the-three-ds-of-pickleball-dink-drop-drive-2/)
- [Wikipedia: Glossary of pickleball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_pickleball_terms)