Should You Be Hitting a Third Shot Drive or Drop?
When I first started playing pickleball around a year ago, all I knew was power. I learned very quickly that pickleball was not just a game of power, at least not against the top players. I was fortunate to learn pickleball in an amazing community with a lot of great players who constantly taught me new tips and tricks. One of the biggest breakthroughs for me was learning the third shot drop. I watched the top players hit perfect third shot drops followed by a powerful third shot drive and was determined to have both in my arsenal.
Third shot drop:
A shot or long dink performed at or near the baseline that lands softly in the opponent's kitchen (non-volley zone). This shot is designed with mostly one thing in mind – to allow your team time to get to (or at least move toward) the net.
Third shot drive:
A driving shot that gives the opponent a much harder hit 4th shot that does not drop in the kitchen. The goal is to then receive a more favorable 5th ball that allows you to approach the kitchen safely.
Which one is a better shot? Some people (the bangers) will tell you the drive and some people (the dinkers) will tell you the drop… from my experience, it depends on the following:
1. Your strengths and weaknesses
When I first started playing, I had zero confidence in my third shot drop and rarely hit one that was unattackable (if it didn’t go into the net). Until I was able to learn and have confidence in my drop shot, I played to my strength and hit mostly third shot drives. If you can relate to this, or your drop shot is much better than your drive, stick to your strength while you practice and become confident in both.
You might have your answer in your head at this point, but once you become confident in both shots, there are a few more factors which bring me to my next points.
2. Your opponents strengths and weaknesses
This one is pretty self explanatory, but I will use myself as an example. I’ll take it back again to when I first started playing… Along with not knowing any shot other than the drive, I also didn’t know how to properly hold the paddle, had ZERO backhand (literally only used the forehand side of my paddle), didn’t know how to block or slow the ball down, and had no idea how to play at the kitchen line (I basically wanted every point to end with a drive from the baseline).
Would you hit a drive or drop to me? I’ll give you a hint… Drive at my backhand! You can tell pretty quickly any major strengths or weaknesses but there are also so many details you can be aware of that will help you decide to drive or drop!
Which side of the court they are on
Are their dominant hands in the middle or sideline
How fast the returner gets up to the kitchen
Paddle position/ready position
Arm length and reach into the kitchen
3. The return
Your opponent's return tells you a lot about whether you should drive or drive your third shot. There are many different scenarios and it depends on your and your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
Regardless of strengths and weaknesses, the third shot drop is a harder shot and the further away from the net you are, the more difficult it becomes. Therefore, if their returns are hitting the baseline, you may want to hit a third shot drive and get in better position to drop the fifth shot.
Here are a few takeaways if you are new to pickleball or want to take your game to the next level:
Make a goal to be able to consistently hit and place a third shot drop or drive… they are both great shots!
Play to your strengths and drill to develop your weaknesses
Be aware of your opponents strengths and weaknesses
Notice how the return (placement, spin, etc.) has an effect on the ease/difficulty of a third shot drive vs. drop.
