The 3rd Shot Drop Formula Every Player Needs to Know

[@calvinpage_pickleball]

CJ 🤝 you are a true pro coach and teaching professional - excellent technical explanation and demonstration here of the 3rd shot drop - that I will steal and use for my beginner lessons 😅thank you!

[@BetterPickleball]

Thank you. I appreciate your comments.

[@phillipmurray3173]

Return of serve is the most important shot

[@BetterPickleball]

You got that right!

[@redequal7457]

Ben Johns just put out another video this week about how to hit a drop and how not to hit it. He says to not hit a drop in a closed position, as you do in this video. He says to hit them from a semi-open position, which you do not do.

[@woodsonsanders1112]

I’m not sure you understand what a closed and open position is. In this video, her body is facing the court, that is an open position. Closed position is when you turn the body perpendicular to the court.

[@NapiliKai]

In the Ben Johns video, he does not recommend an open stance facing forward to the net for a 3rd shot drop - as CJ uses here. Ben recommends a semi-closed stance.

[@MrGbustamante]

@@NapiliKaiThis is not a Ben Johns teaching video.

[@BetterPickleball]

There is no doubt that Ben hits amazing shots and he positions his body in a way that is appropriate for a twenty something year old man. My body is built a little differently and my twenty something days are in the rearview mirror. :) What's important about body position for any players is that they position their feet in such a way that their arm swing is correct and their foundation is stable. We need to be very careful of looking for a "one size fits all approach" to footwork and body position. Have fun out there!

[@BetterPickleball]

What's important about body position for any players is that they position their feet in such a way that their arm swing is correct and their foundation is stable.

[@dalevoigt8612]

In terms of missed shots, the return of serve is the most important. Yet it is only used once per game. The drop shot can be used 3rd, 5th and defensive midcourt shots, In the long run the drop shot may help your game more. Let say 1 team can only drop well and the other only returns well. Which team wins. My guess is the drop team, would win because of better defense.

[@BetterPickleball]

The drop shot is important too - and you are right, throughout the entire game.

[@jamesf1525]

Working on the shot and need more practice. Many of the yt tutorials on this shot show a wimpy 2nd shot to work with. That's not usually the case. Softening up that hard drive to the baseline is a challenge.

[@BetterPickleball]

The hard drive is a challenge and the drop shot is one way to combat that hard drive. Make sure you are not sneaking into the court and allowing yourself enough space to hit the shot.

[@okayest_amateur]

3rd shot drop used to be most important but no longer.. 3rd shot topspin drive is the most important. the reason is because it is used in the serve. return of serve 3rd drive and speedup. 3rd drop is slowly being marginalized by 4th shot pressure. Drive or hybrid are genrally better options if it is deep. I would only use 3rd drop when return lands in transition

[@BetterPickleball]

The answer to the third shot puzzle is "it depends" because there are so many variables. To pick the best shot you need to answer questions -like what type of return did they hit? it is to my forehand or backhand? what type of shot can I hit consistently off that side? where is my opponent located on the court when I am getting ready to hit the shot? what type of defensive skills do they have? are they better on the forehand or backhand? All that said the best third shot is one that clears the net, even if its attackable as long as the ball is in play you still have a chance.

[@brucesmith7473]

2nd shot most important

[@BetterPickleball]

Yes! :-)

[@janicenicolle7156]

Yes

[@BetterPickleball]

😊

[@vanadyan1674]

I think return of serve is probably the most important shot. If you are consistently giving your opponent free points because you can't return their serve you have very little chance of winning.

[@BetterPickleball]

The serve IS important. The first 4 shots of any rally are important but this video focuses on being able to successfully execute a drop shot or a reset shot is also important whether it is the 3rd shot, 5th shot or later. Here is a video about the importance of the serve and the return of serve. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6LLnoSYiqaceaM

[@brucehook9602]

One reason why many players struggle with 3rd shot is that many of us come to pickleball from tennis. We never used this shot in tennis. The mechanics of the shot is totally different from anything we learned playing tennis.

[@BetterPickleball]

You are right about that! It is an adjustment for tennis players to hit a soft shot - but it is an important shot. And Welcome to Pickleball.

[@MrGbustamante]

The serve is not the most important, not even close. At higher levels its just the start of the point and to keep the opponent back so you can prepare for your 3rd, which IS the most important shot. Whether its a drive or drop, the 3rd shot sets the pace. If you cant do a proper drop on 3rd or 5th youre not going to win many points against higher rated players.

[@BetterPickleball]

I agree with you, the serve is not the most important, it's the return of serve. The return of serve is a critical shot at all levels of pickleball (loss of a point), and its importance becomes even more pronounced as you advance to higher levels of play. A short return doesn't just give your opponent an easier third shot-it opens up the opportunity for them to attack immediately, putting you on the defensive right from the start of the rally. At higher levels, where speed and precision matter more, a well-placed return can be the difference between maintaining control of the point and finding yourself scrambling under pressure.

[@MrGbustamante]

@@BetterPickleball yes, return of serve results in loss of point and trumps them all

[@MariaBrooks-q7p]

Serve is the most important. If you can’t serve you can’t make a point.

[@BetterPickleball]

Serve is important but here is a good video about the importance of the return of serve. See you what think about this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6LLnoSYiqaceaM