How to hit a Drop Shot in Pickleball: Tips and Drills from a Pro

[@nadzoll]

This is gold Susannah! So many pickleball "instructors" don't know how to break down a skill. You obviously have an educational background! Looking forward to more! Wish you were closer to Eugene, OR!

[@theflyingpickleacademy]

Boise isn’t too far! Might be a fun trip to take 😊. And yes, I do have a degree in adult education and quite a few years in the classroom before pickleball became my life!

[@davidknapp4491]

Good job! You are the first instructor I have seen online who shows a way to develop “touch” by stopping the ball first and then hitting it on the bounce. Baby steps!

[@theflyingpickleacademy]

Thanks! I find if players can stop the ball and have it in front on them, they can really feel the forward form and push/roll.

[@joiedevivre541]

Hey Coach! Great catch/drop drill! I have never seen that drill! Thank you!

[@shelbywhite7161]

Yes!!! Great drill! Adding to my next session! Keep them coming!!!!!

[@sassydragonfly5063]

Great video! Will try this progression in my next drill session. Appreciate the help!

[@AmyHiltz]

Great drill. Thanks for sharing.

[@cindynelson8290]

Great video! Thank you!!

[@paininthepatoot]

Glad to see you promoting eye protection. Good video. Will have to try this out tonight.

[@theflyingpickleacademy]

The game has speed up and I’ve been hit in the glasses many times!

[@paininthepatoot]

@ had a couple of people in the club been hit recently. One has permanent eye damage. Wish more people wore protection in their videos to lead the way

[@ForgottenCovers]

Hey Susannah, thanks so much for the video! As a beginner I didn't quite know what to do with my 3rd shot! 😎 One question - why should we be aiming to drop near the kitchen line? Wouldn't a drop shot as close to the net as possible be better as your opponents wouldn't be able to reach it as easily or attack?

[@theflyingpickleacademy]

Great question- so close to the net puts a lot of pressure on you to be perfect because the angle will have to be pretty sharp. And we lose the ability to hit more aggressively. At the kitchen line or opponents’ feet forces players to have to think. Do we take it out of the air or do we back up and let it bounce? Even if they get it out of the air, if it’s truly dropping, they will lift up on the ball.

[@ForgottenCovers]

@@theflyingpickleacademy Oh amazing - thank you! :)

[@BruceCarper]

Excellent instruction. Thank you for not insisting that it is a "third shot drop." I would like to hear some strategies for targets. I like the corners and occasionally go center. I've heard it's not good to drop up the line because you open yourself up to an ernie.

[@PatPotenza]

Where can i get the eye protection your wearing. They look as though they are frames without any lens.

[@theflyingpickleacademy]

They are RIAs. Great glasses. Feel free to use my code Barr10 for a discount. riaeyewear.com/

[@PatPotenza]

Thanks you. 😊

[@michit4456]

What grip do you use? Western?

[@theflyingpickleacademy]

I personally use an Eastern Grip.

[@ShakaTravelGuys]

Super helpful. Well done. 👍

[@theflyingpickleacademy]

Glad you found it useful!

[@peenchay]

Good video, but like most pickleball instructional videos, you do not discuss the grip one should use. What grip do you suggest?

[@theflyingpickleacademy]

I recommend an Eastern to a Continental. Both have benefits but it comes with a few challenges. Either one is great and depends on what the player is comfortable with.

[@puckcoach3]

Hmmm - No backhand drops 🤔 …

[@theflyingpickleacademy]

That’s coming. Progression is key.

[@downieduck2414]

that shot is not considered a drop shot - a drop shot is taken at the net - you are doing just a typical third shot drop

[@stevenkraslen6649]

It is a drop shot. You can call it a Second shot drop, 4th shot drop, at the kitchen/net it called a dink.

[@theflyingpickleacademy]

I think you are thinking of a drop volley. In pickleball, a drop shot is any shot we hit that helps to neutralize the point by landing at our opponents feet or in the kitchen. They can be hit from anywhere, but the most talked about is the 3rd shot drop at the baseline.