Topspin vs. Slice: Which is the Better Third Shot in Pickleball?
Almost everyone agrees that the third shot is the most important shot in a pickleball match. However, people will disagree on the type of shot to use for it. For some, the best third shot is a drop shot that slowly creeps over the net and drops into the kitchen, forcing an opponent still on the baseline to come rushing forward. For others, the best third shot is a drive meant to take your already charging opponent off-guard, forcing them into a quick reaction.
Perhaps the better debate isn't whether or not the drop or the drive is the better third shot, but what wrinkle you could add to each that could help you throw off your opponents and win more matches.
First, let's discuss why the third shot plays a significant role in matches.
The Importance of the Third Shot
It's difficult to overstate the importance of the third shot in every pickleball match. It is the part of each match that determines whether or not the serving team will be in a strong position to get the point or in a weak one that forces them to give up the serve.
During the third shot, the non-serving side is often trying to transition from the baseline to the non-valley zone line (or the kitchen). This makes sense because this is where most points are scored in pickleball.
For the serving side, this means a well-played third shot can catch the opponent in the middle of that transition. It also serves a dual purpose of giving the serving team time to get to the kitchen themselves.
Often, the third shot becomes a choice between playing an offensive shot (like the drive) or a more defensive type of shot (like the drop).
But what if you could add a new wrinkle to the drop shot that makes it more offensive? Or could you add a slice to the drive that makes it almost unreturnable?
That's what this article aims to do.
First, let's discuss topspin and how you can add it to your drop shot.
What Is a Topspin Shot?
A topspin shot is when you hit the Wiffle ball with your paddle in a way that causes the ball to rotate away from you. This rotation causes the ball to have a higher trajectory initially, but it decelerates quickly. The quick deceleration causes a higher than average bounce if it hits the court. Often, topspin shots are used as a return of serve shot and typically fall between the non-valley zone (the kitchen) and the baseline.
What is a Drop Shot?
A drop shot is designed to just barely drop over the net and land inside the kitchen. It's a shot with a slower speed that provides the serving team a chance to get into a good playing position in the kitchen. This is why it's used so widely as a third shot. A good drop shot will also force your opponent to hit up on the ball and cause a weaker fourth shot.
The Topspin Drop Shot and How to Hit It
Putting those two shots together, you end up with a topspin drop shot. Instead of a ball that just barely creeps over the net and bounces normally, topspin causes the ball to go over the net a few inches higher, quickly fall into the kitchen area, then leap aggressively towards your opponent. Ideally, this catches your opponent off-guard and forces them to make an error.
To hit a topspin shot, you want to swing from low to high, accelerating at the point of contact with the ball. Instead of driving through the ball, brush the paddle against it. It's best to use a continental grip and keep the paddle in a neutral position (straight up and down). As you swing up, arc the paddle slightly forward.
But, the trick to hitting a topspin drop shot is all in the grip strength. Since the goal is to drop the shot inside the kitchen rather than past it, you'll want to grip the paddle lighter. Think of the grip as a 3 or 4 on a scale of 1-10.
The ball's reaction as it goes over the net, strikes the ground, or even how it reacts off of your opponent's paddle is what makes it an offensive weapon.
The Benefits of Topspin Drop as a Third Shot
As a third shot, the topspin drop provides a different pace to the game and forces your opponent to make adjustments while they are transitioning to their position. In the best situation, you catch them flat-footed on the baseline. In the worst, they are in the kitchen but have to deal with the ball doing something unexpected.
But, as we discussed above, another type of shot is used equally as much as the drop shot, and that's the drive.
What Is a Drive?
A drive is a flat shot containing a lot of force behind it and is designed to force your opponent to react quickly. As a third shot, it's a great weapon to have because you can catch your opponent(s) in awkward positions. If they are up to the kitchen too quickly or there is a wide gap to one of their sides, a drive shot can fly past them, scoring a point for the serving team.
The downside of the drive shot is that it can backfire. If you don't place it in a good spot, or they are still back towards the baseline, then their return shot will happen quickly and not give you time to get up to the kitchen yourself.
But, adding a wrinkle to this shot could help you get more time and put them in an even more awkward position. That wrinkle is called a slice.
What is The Slice and How to Hit It
A slice shot is a shot that puts side- or backspin on the ball. This rotation causes the ball to curve sideways or backward. When it hits the court, the ball will ricochet away from your opponent's swing. Even if they get a paddle on it, they could easily send the ball flying out of bounds.
Hitting a slice shot is almost the opposite of hitting a topspin. Instead of down to up, you want to take your paddle up to down (and slightly forward). But, you still want to accelerate the swing as you brush against the ball. You'll still want to keep the paddle in a fairly neutral position (straight up and down) because if it's too open, you could float the ball over the net instead.
The Slice Drive Shot
Hitting a slice drive shot then means to hit through the ball and cause it to slice away from your opponent (either on one side or back toward you). If it's going away from them on one side and they let it bounce, it's nearly impossible for them to return the shot.
The Benefits of a Slice Drive Shot as a Third Shot
The way they return the slice drive shot is probably the most valuable part of the shot for you. There is a high chance of them hitting the ball awkwardly and even popping it up for an easy put-away shot (a shot with no chance of being returned).
However, there is room for a lot of error in a slice shot. Having your paddle at a bad angle when you strike the ball or putting too much backspin on it can cause it to sail high and float slowly over the net. This can give your opponent the easy put-away instead.
The Final Verdict
Like most shots in pickleball, there is no clear-cut winner or "best shot" all the time. Instead, the best one is what works for you.
But, of the two shots, we think the slice drive shot is the harder one to accomplish consistently, and the risk of having it float can put you (and your team) in some bad spots.
If we had to pick one as a better alternative third shot than the other, we'd select the topspin drop shot as the winner. It's safer, still provides an opportunity to catch your opponent off-guard, and there's more room for error if you don't hit it just right.
For most pickleballers, it's easy to just use a regular drop or drive as their third option every on a third shot. And that's totally fine. But, if you want to take your game to the next level, consider adding in one of these wrinkles and see if it helps you score a few extra points or win some more matches.
