Many players are intimidated by the 3rd shot. The strategy players use depends on the opposition, what point players are in the game, and the skills you have to execute the shot.
Pro Tip #1
Pro Tip #1 comes from the 411 video series and features Seymour Rifkind, president of the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA). He emphasizes through progressive learning, you can control the net by allowing effective transition to the Non-volley zone (NVZ) line. Coach Rifkind describes the 3rd shot drop as, “nothing more than a long dink”. Start your progression to mastering the 3rd shot with dinking skill drills. When players develop proper techniques their consistency will expand and grow so as you practice dinking skills – take a few steps back from the NVZ and perform the same exact technique with greater follow-through. Play a modified game where you shorten the court forcing the return of serves to land softly in the transition area. This is where you practice long dink skills. Remember, says Rifkind, “it’s the same pendulum swing, the only thing that changes is a higher follow-through”.
Watch the whole video here:
Pro Tip #2
Coach Deb Harrison teaches the best way to return the third shot drop in her video: Pickleball: Returning the Third Shot Drop”. Coach Harrison emphasizes that you should have your pickleball, “blade down and ready, whether you take it in the air or on the short hop”. She teaches a great top-spin technique but stresses not to overswing and maintain control.
Watch the Video here:
Pro Tip #3
Coach Catherine Parenteau, shows some proper third shot drop techniques in a Simone Jardim Pickleball video. Coach Parenteau emphasizes using a loose grip to execute a 3rd shot in order to absorb the ball to keep the ball in control. “It is a push and not an acceleration”, coach Parenteau describes keeping the paddle blade in front of you and not to draw the paddle back behind you which will increase the acceleration. Using the shoulder as your fulcrum.
Watch the Video here:
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Introduction
To make sure your percentage of third shot returns is as high as possible, aim to keep the ball low to the net, shallow to the middle of the court, and soft. Often this is where you can truly win the point and stay on the offense.
Drill #1- Around the Horn
4 players
Set Up:1 ball, full court.
Drill Explanation: Players stand in various positions on the court. Player A starts to serve-stands behind the baseline, to Player B, who is at the baseline on the opposite side. Player B returns the serve to player C who is also behind the baseline adjacent to Player A. Player C executes a third shot to Player D, who is standing at the NVZ line. Player D executes a dink to player A, who has split stepped with each shot up to the NVZ to receive the dink from player D. Rotate after 5 – 10 shots.
Drill #2- BASELINE 3rd SHOT: 1 -4 Players
Set Up:
Place a portable net on the NVZ line on one side of the court.
One player:
In a Court: Have a bucket of 10 or more balls, if possible. At the baseline, bounce a ball in front of you, then on the recoil use an underhand stroke to direct the ball into the NVZ. The portable net will stop the balls from rolling too far away. Concentrate on your form.
Note: Shadowing the motion, like bowling a ball is a great way to incorporate muscle memory for this shot.
In the beginning: To establish an understanding of pace and distance, it is recommended that you begin by tossing the ball underhand with your dominant hand into the NVZ from the baseline.
Two Players: One player
stands at the NVZ line and one stands at the baseline. The drill starts with the player at the NVZ using one ball. The player at the baseline receives the ball and returns the shot into the NVZ, the drill continues until a mistake is made or players change positions. Try forehand and backhand shots, move the ball all across the NVZ line to gauge profundity.
Three players: Two players standing at the baseline- A & B, one player -C, stands at the NVZ line. The drill starts with the player at the NVZ using one ball. The players
at the baseline receives the ball and returns the shot into the NVZ, the drill
continues until a mistake is made. Try forehand and backhand shots, move the ball all across the NVZ line to set up the shot for the other. Switch positions
– A moves to B, B moves to C and C moves to A.
Repeat Drill.
Four Players: Two players – A & B, standing at the baseline, two players – C & D standing at the NVZ line.
One Ball: The baseline pair are trying to hit soft 3rd SHOTS in the NVZone. Reverse positions for an equal amount of time.
Two Balls: Each pair practice down-the-line 3rd shots into
the NVZ with one ball for each pair. For
variety, cross-court with two balls between the 4 of you at the same time –
this will improve concentration.
Note: Hit third shot returns from both sides of the court
with both forehand and backhand third shot returns.
Drill #3- Split step
2 players
Set Up:
One ball, full court.
Drill Explanation:
Start at the back of the court, have
your partner hit medium-soft (and work your way up to hard) volley shots to you
from centre court. Split step 4 times up
to the NVZ hitting 3rd shots each time.
Then move back again using split steps – switch with partner.
Drill #4- Wall Rally Drill
1 player
Set Up:
One ball, wall (should be about 20 feet high)
Use chalk or string to measure out 22 feet (half length of the court); place targets on the wall – whether tape, ribbon, or hoops.
Note: Be sure to ask permission first.
Drill Explanation:
Start by volleying or serving the first shot – hard enough to recoil 20 – 22 feet (where you are standing).
The second contact is a soft shot into a target, that represents the placement necessary for a NVZ shot. Use forehand and backhand, straight and diagonal shots.
Using the wall will help improve footwork, strengthen wrist muscles, and develop muscle memory.
Successful Pickleball 
One response to “3 Pickleball 3rd Shot Soft-Drop PROTIPS”
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