How To Hit A 3rd Shot Drop In Pickleball (Technique Explained & More)

Want to master the 3rd shot drop? Then this is the video for you. It's the Ultimate Guide To Hitting 3rd Shot Drops. We cover 3rd shot types, drop types, drop technique, drop strategy & more.
We set out to create the last video you'll ever need to watch in order to master the 3rd shot drop. That's why this video is jam packed with all the important information you could ever want to know about it. Check it out, put our ultimate 3rd shot drop guide to the test and let us know what you think.
3rd Shot Drop Drills:
Drop Drill Video #1
• How To Master Your 3rd...
Drop Drill Video #2
• 2024’s Top 9 Picklebal...
► FREE 3rd Shot Drop Course: primetimepickleball.com/3rdshot
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[@gmont66g]

Wow ... spectacular video, just perfect. The slow motion adds so much to the instruction. Congratulations!

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks!

[@86309]

Probably the most comprehensive video tutorial on drops I've watched. Excellent!!!

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks! So happy to hear that as that was the goal.

[@mikeswierbut9546]

Nichole, you are without a doubt one of, if not THE very BEST pickleball trainers I’ve EVER run across. I thoroughly enjoy your KZbin videos and have learned and applied many of your teachings to my game. Thank you so much for the great content and keep it coming.

[@davidaldrich3488]

You are one of two go to coaches. Your ability to break it down is spot on. Ty

[@primetimepickleball]

Thank you sir! 😊

[@davidaldrich3488]

@@primetimepickleball played in our club 70+ tournament today with partner Bob. We were undefeated and took home the gold. No one scored more than 5 points on us. Your insights have helped big time. Ty I was oldest player there at age 80

[@kregmoccia8677]

Yesss! Such a helpful video. Things I loved: - Your upfront framing with definitions and when drops should be used (vs drives). - You filmed the drops, edited to synchronize the different shots, and strategically used freeze frames and slow motion. This made it super easy to spot the differences. - Your commentary is concise, specific, and perfectly synchronized to the clips. Thank you!!!

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks for the specific feedback of the strong points. Your list is exactly what I strive for so I'm glad it comes across.

[@davidaldrich3488]

Nicole, you are very good breaking these techniques down to elementary steps.......insuring the apex of the drop is on your side of the court resonated for me and that will be a focus going forward....ty

[@primetimepickleball]

Great!

[@nogheadz4987]

That was a really good video thanks

[@leahrodarti7648]

Best video I’ve seen with great examples and freeze shots with descriptions and comparisons.

[@primetimepickleball]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate the positive feedback.

[@vincecepeda247]

Outstanding video, Nicole! Thank you

[@primetimepickleball]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@miatafunrun3078]

Excellent, thorough break down. Thanks!

[@primetimepickleball]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AJCsr]

Great comprehensive video ! Thank you so much ! While returning a classic third shot drop, if possible, l like to also add some side spin/slice on the ball to give it a little kick to my right (opponents left) when it bounces in or near their kitchen.

[@primetimepickleball]

I like it! That works nicely. 👍

[@HelenHomann]

I have always found it a little harder to summarise Nicole's videos compared to other you tube coaches. The penny has just dropped as to why!!!! Every sentence she uses in her explanations is filled with vital gems of information..... no rambling.....just straight-forward, critical hints that make such a lot of sense for her followers like me. Excellent work, Nicole.

[@primetimepickleball]

Awwww....thank you. I really strive to produce actionable insights. I'm so happy to hear this because it validates what I'm doing.

[@kbotelho27]

Great job as usual, love the side by sides. It's important to update our teaching and understanding of the third shot drop as the game and paddle technology continues to evolve. I favor the "New School Third", topspin drop off both sides. Two points I'd emphasize both on the forehand and the twoey, it's easier to hit your drops if you contact the ball as it descends and work hard with your legs to get below the ball.

[@primetimepickleball]

Yup, agree that New School is the preference anytime possible. Great points! Thanks Ken!

[@marybethlapp5093]

Great video! Tysm

[@primetimepickleball]

Thx!

[@fanghua4305]

Nice and clear explanation with demo video. Love it ❤

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks so much!

[@user-zp6nv2jv8q]

Can you do a video on guidelines for letting go “out balls”. Thanks,

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[@susanzhang2221]

Very detailed

[@primetimepickleball]

try to add as much details as possible.

[@Glitch-nr9ct]

Too much for me to remember. I'm still in the "just get it over the net" club 😊👍

[@primetimepickleball]

Fair enough! Thats's good place to start ;)

[@stephenkass]

Wow Nicole, excellent video.

[@primetimepickleball]

Thank you! Appreciate the positive feedback.

[@tomspaulding6485]

Ps Thank you. Great information

[@primetimepickleball]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked the information provided.

[@greatzto]

Excellent video. Do you have videos on advancing to the NVZ after the drop? Currently, the opponent keep hitting the ball behind me after I dropped the ball and came to the NVZ, but I could not volley the ball easily.

[@primetimepickleball]

You have to stop and split step before they make contact and do your best to cut any shot off out of the air that would bounce behind you. You're going have to usually hit a drop volley. It's not an easy shot but it can be drilled. Here's a video that should help...kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4Laknypqcp2m8k

[@zloungeact]

Why is a third shot drop more effective than driving the ball and keeping the opponent back? When the opponents are split isnt it easier to slam a ball diagonally inbetween them?

[@tomspaulding6485]

I love your last name.Your dad was my favorite basketball player ever. Go celtics!

[@primetimepickleball]

No relation to the basketball player but I get that a lot lol. He definitely was an awesome player!

[@chubun6631]

A lot of thoughts behind this tutorial. Will not be surprise if the author has a degree in Engineering. Just disagree on the comments on one handed backhand topspin drop. It's not as stable as the two handed one due to the knuckles/palm factor, but whatever can be done with a THB should be doable with a OHB (kind of just letting go of the non dominant hand). The stroke just needs to be more like a table tennis backhand which uses more wrist and forearm rotation instead of the tennis backhand which has more shoulder rotation and contacts the ball further in front. Anyway THB is more stable so why even bother learning the OHB. So it's kind of moot.

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks for the comment! The main problem with OHB topspin drop, in my view, is no flexibility of contact point. Has to be very in front.

[@andreyg3783]

All good, thanks! However, may I suggest shorter videos?

[@jeffsingletary1876]

I think you’re missing her broader point. Improving takes an investment of time.

[@hruntingson]

Maybe a summarized version in addition to long form. I like both. The long form lets me geek out on the details, but also a short version like a coach in my ear when I need a quick point in the right direction. This would probably be 3+ short videos (1 each drop type with when to use it and what the likely follow up would be. )

[@primetimepickleball]

You're on to something. ;)

[@primetimepickleball]

I can try but things would probably get missed. Appreciate the feedback. I'll see what I can do.

[@Mobev1]

As a soon to be professional golfer with a handicap of 12 I find this video useful for when I decide to take over the pickleball world after I win about 10 golf tournaments.

[@primetimepickleball]

Lol ok. good luck with your golf.