SkillIntermediatepickleball paddle, pickleballs, pickleball court
Third Shot Drop Drill (Pickleball)
A pickleball-specific drill practicing the soft drop shot hit from the baseline on the third shot of a rally. A key skill for transitioning to the kitchen line safely.
How to do it
- 1Start at the baseline, partner at the kitchen line
- 2Use a soft, open paddle face and push through the ball gently
- 3Aim for the ball to arc over the net and land in the kitchen (non-volley zone)
- 4Follow your shot forward, moving toward the kitchen line
Common mistakes
- Hitting too hard — the ball should barely clear the net and drop
- Using wrist instead of a controlled shoulder motion
- Not following the drop to the kitchen line
Muscles worked
shouldersforearmscorecalves
Variations
Easier
Kitchen drop volleys from the transition zone
Harder
Third shot drop off a hard return under pressure
Used in
Related exercises
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