Win every Game with Top Pickleball drop shot drills 2024

If you want to get better at pickleball and become a better player, the pickleball drop shot, or third shot drop as it is often called, is perhaps the shot you should add to pickleball game the most. It’s a very strategic shot that, if attempted and regularly completed, will set less experienced players apart from the more experienced ones.

Third drop shot in pickleball is a delicate move that needs finesse, and it mostly results in the ball barely clear the net and softly dropping in the opponent’s court like a shot glass. But, it’s not all about quickness and agility like the bass fish.  You need to be sly and unpredictable to your opponent.

The third shot drop is a high ball that is hit softly with the goal of bouncing in the non-volley zone and delaying the opponent’s attack. Due of the height of the ball, if this is done correctly, the serving team will have plenty time to run up to the non-volley line. The non-volley line can then be reached by running up to it in time. Here are the detailed rules for non volley zone.

Introduction

According to professional tennis player Simone Jardim, this shot is similar to a tennis moonball and drop shot.

1. The player’s natural stroke is the third shot drive, which is much easier to execute.
2. This happens concurrently. A player will hit the third ball forcefully in place of a higher, softer third shot drop.
3. The third shot drive’s aim is to push the ball quickly while trying to keep it low.
4. Pop-ups can happen when the drive is played well, which makes put-aways simple. In the worst-case scenario, both players end up near the non-volley line and you receive an easy fifth shot to drop. Success.
5. The target of hitting the line is still the same. In this game, clean victories are rare, so aim the drive low and towards a nice area. In pickleball, hitting the ball just above the net with a light touch is known as the “light line.”
6. If the drive is too high, it will go out or get clobbered for a winner, similar to the third shot drop. Suspending the fish is a vital skill of drop shot that may really improve your game when it comes to hitting the drop shot in pickleball.

Rather of focusing on velocity, the drive is more about position. The most of drives made with all of one’s might sail far.

A strong 70% swing will keep the ball moving at a good clip and with greater accuracy, ultimately aim for net height or lower.

With this stroke, top spin is highly helpful. When the ball has enough top spin, it will begin to sink below net height, forcing the opponent to lift the ball up.

The drop shot hook is also an important pickleball skill for performing a successful drop shot. Players can control the ball’s position and direction while also making it more challenging for the opposition to get the ball back. For best drop sort weights medium light is right weight for pickleball paddle.

The Benefits of the Drop Shot

The drop shot is a shot that has many benefits, both tactical and strategic. Here are some of the benefits of the drop shot:

• It takes the defending team’s advantage away. As we mentioned before, the drop shot is a shot that can neutralize the advantage of the team that is at the net. By hitting a drop shot, you can make them lose their position, their momentum, and their confidence. You can also make them hit shots that they are not comfortable with, such as low volleys, half volleys, or lobs.
• It allows you time to get to the net. The drop shot is a shot that can give you time to get to the net and establish a better position. By hitting a drop shot, you can create a gap between you and your opponent, and use the time that the ball is in the air to move forward. You can also use the drop shot to create a transition game, where you and your opponent are both moving back and forth between the baseline and the net.
• It forces an unfavorable shot from your opponent. The drop shot is a shot that can force your opponent to hit an unfavorable shot, either by making them move or by making them reach. By hitting a drop shot, you can make your opponent run, stretch, bend, or jump, and make them lose their balance, their timing, or their technique. You can also make your opponent hit shots that are easy for you to attack, such as high balls, short balls, or wide balls.

How to execute drop shot?

1. A longer dink with same technique and a soft grip is what the drop shot essentially is.
2. Get under the ball by bending your knees. Strive for a point of contact that is knee-high or less.
3. That must be a push shot with low wind-up.
4. Go under the ball to provide the arc and make upward, pendulum-lifting contact with it.
5. Always have your kitchen area, which is on your side of the net, as the arc’s peak. Let gravity take care of the remaining tasks.
6. Look for a position in the center of the adjacent kitchen space. neither too deep nor too near the net.
7. Follow through and continue forward motion as you go towards your kitchen line.

How to Hit a Drop Shot

The drop shot is a shot that is not hard to hit, but it is hard to master. Here are some steps that you can follow to hit a good drop shot:

• Step 1: Get your dink down. The dink is a soft shot that lands softly in the non-volley zone. The dink is the foundation of the drop shot, because it teaches you how to hit the ball with a low-to-high motion, creating a high arc over the net and a short bounce in the non-volley zone. To hit a good dink, you have to keep your wrist loose, your grip light, and your paddle face open. You have to hit the ball with a smooth and controlled motion, without any jerky or tense movements. You have to aim for the center of the ball, and hit it with a slight upward angle. You have to hit the ball with enough power to make it clear the net, but not too much to make it go out. You have to aim for the middle of the non-volley zone, or slightly closer to the net. You have to practice your dink until you can hit it with ease and consistency.
• Step 2: Take a step back. The drop shot is a shot that is hit from behind the baseline, or slightly inside the court. The drop shot is not a shot that you can hit from the net, or too close to the net. To hit a good drop shot, you have to take a step back from the net, and create some space between you and the ball. You have to position yourself in a way that you can see the ball and the net clearly, and that you can hit the ball with a comfortable and natural motion.
• Step 3: Repeat. The drop shot is a shot that is hit with the same motion and technique as the dink, but with more power and height. To hit a good drop shot, you have to repeat the same steps as the dink, but with some adjustments. You have to hit the ball with more force, but not too much to make it go too far or too fast. You have to hit the ball with more height, but not too much to make it go too high or too low. You have to aim for the same spot as the dink, or slightly farther from the net. You have to hit the ball with the same angle and spin as the dink, or slightly more or less depending on the situation. You have to practice your drop shot until you can hit it with accuracy and consistency.

Drills for Pickleball Drop Shot

The drop shot is a shot that you have to practice a lot, because it is a shot that requires a lot of precision and consistency. Here are some of the best drills that you can do to improve your drop shot:

Drill #1 – Toss the Ball. 

This is a simple drill that you can do by yourself or with a partner. All you need is a bucket of balls and a paddle. You stand behind the baseline and toss the ball in the air with your non-dominant hand. Then, you hit the ball with your paddle, trying to make it land in the non-volley zone. You can vary the height and the distance of the toss, and try to hit the ball with different angles and speeds. You can also try to hit the ball with both your forehand and your backhand. The goal of this drill is to get a feel for the motion and the contact point of the drop shot.

Drill #2 – Step-by-Step. 

This is a drill that you can do with a partner or a coach. You stand behind the baseline and your partner or coach stands at the net. Your partner or coach feeds you a ball, and you hit a drop shot. Then, you take a step forward and your partner or coach feeds you another ball, and you hit another drop shot. You repeat this process until you reach the non-volley zone line. Then, you go back to the baseline and start over. The goal of this drill is to practice hitting drop shots from different positions on the court, and to practice moving forward after each shot.

Drill #3 – Practice Moving Forward. 

This is a drill that you can do with a partner or a coach. You stand behind the baseline and your partner or coach stands at the net. Your partner or coach feeds you a ball, and you hit a drop shot. Then, you move forward and split step at the non-volley zone line. Your partner or coach hits the ball back to you, and you hit a volley. Then, you go back to the baseline and start over. The goal of this drill is to practice moving forward and transitioning from the drop shot to the volley.

Drill #4 – Add Height. 

This is a drill that you can do with a partner or a coach. You stand behind the baseline and your partner or coach stands at the net. Your partner or coach feeds you a ball, and you hit a drop shot. Then, your partner or coach hits the ball back to you, and you hit another drop shot. You repeat this process, but each time you try to hit the ball higher over the net, without making it go out. The goal of this drill is to practice hitting drop shots with different heights, and to find the optimal height for your drop shot.

Drill #5 – Practice Your Backhand. 

This is a drill that you can do with a partner or a coach. You stand behind the baseline and your partner or coach stands at the net. Your partner or coach feeds you a ball, and you hit a backhand drop shot. Then, your partner or coach hits the ball back to you, and you hit another backhand drop shot. You repeat this process, but each time you try to hit the ball with more accuracy and consistency. The goal of this drill is to practice your backhand drop shot, which is often harder than the forehand drop shot.

When to Use the Drop Shot

The drop shot is a shot that you can use in different scenarios, depending on the situation of the rally and the position of your opponent. Here are some examples of when to use the drop shot:

• When you are deep in the court and your opponent is at the net. This is the most common scenario for using the drop shot. If you are behind the baseline and your opponent is at the non-volley zone line, you have a disadvantage. You have less time to react to their shots, and they have more angles to hit winners. By hitting a drop shot, you can take away their advantage and force them to back up or hit a difficult shot. You can also use the time that the ball is in the air to move forward and join them at the net.
• When you have a weak return and need to keep the ball in play. Sometimes, you may receive a serve or a shot that is hard to handle, and you may not be able to hit a strong or aggressive shot back. In this case, you can use the drop shot as a defensive shot, to keep the ball in play and avoid giving your opponent an easy shot to attack. You can also use the drop shot as a surprise shot, to catch your opponent off guard and make them scramble.
• When you are trying to set up a volley. Sometimes, you may want to use the drop shot as an offensive shot, to set up a volley for yourself or your partner. By hitting a drop shot, you can make your opponent hit a high or weak shot back, and then you can move in and volley it away. You can also use the drop shot to create an opening in the court, by hitting it to one side and then volleying to the other.

Drop Shots vs. Dinks

Drop shots and dinks are both soft shots that are used in pickleball, but they are not the same. Here are some of the differences between drop shots and dinks:

• Drop shots are hit with more power than dinks and are meant to bounce just over the net and into the non-volley zone.
• Dinks are hit with less power and are meant to land softly in the non-volley zone.
• Drop shots are usually hit as the third shot of the rally, after the serve and the return.
• Dinks are usually hit as the fifth shot of the rally, after the drop shot and the volley.
• Drop shots are used to neutralize the advantage of the opposing team that is at the net, and to give yourself time to move forward and join them.
• Dinks are used to maintain the advantage of the team that is at the net, and to keep the rally going until an opportunity arises to hit a winner.
• Drop shots are hit with a low-to-high motion, creating a high arc over the net and a short bounce in the non-volley zone.
• Dinks are hit with a high-to-low motion, creating a low arc over the net and a soft bounce in the non-volley zone.
• Drop shots are hit with a smooth and controlled motion, keeping the wrist loose and the grip light.
• Dinks are hit with a quick and sharp motion, snapping the wrist and the grip tight.

Advanced Drop Shot Tips

The drop shot is a shot that can be improved with practice and experience. Here are some advanced tips that can help you take your drop shot to the next level:

• Practice hitting drop shots from different positions on the court. The drop shot is a shot that can be hit from anywhere behind the baseline, or slightly inside the court. You can practice hitting drop shots from the center, the sides, or the corners of the court. You can also practice hitting drop shots from different distances from the net, such as close, medium, or far. By practicing hitting drop shots from different positions, you can increase your versatility and adaptability, and you can surprise your opponent with different angles and trajectories.
• Vary the pace and spin on your drop shots. The drop shot is a shot that can be hit with different speeds and spins, depending on the situation and the desired effect. You can hit the drop shot with more or less power, to make it go faster or slower. You can hit the drop shot with more or less height, to make it go higher or lower. You can hit the drop shot with more or less spin, to make it go straighter or curvier. By varying the pace and spin on your drop shots, you can increase your unpredictability and creativity, and you can make your opponent work harder and make more errors.
• Learn to hit drop shots with both your forehand and your backhand. The drop shot is a shot that can be hit with both your forehand and your backhand, depending on the situation and the preference. You can hit the drop shot with your forehand, which is usually easier and more natural. You can hit the drop shot with your backhand, which is usually harder and more challenging. By learning to hit drop shots with both your forehand and your backhand, you can increase your range and flexibility, and you can avoid being exposed or limited by your weaker side.

Bonus Tips: To improve your productivity and become pro player, you have to learn rules for serving and also checkout the common mistakes made by beginners in pickleball.

How to Hit a Backhand 3rd Shot Drop

The backhand 3rd shot drop is one of the most difficult and complex shots in pickleball. It is a shot that requires a lot of skill, confidence, and practice. Here are some steps that you can follow to hit a good backhand 3rd shot drop:

• Step 1: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your weight evenly distributed. The backhand 3rd shot drop is a shot that requires a good balance and a stable stance. You have to stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your weight evenly distributed, so that you can move and swing freely and comfortably.
• Step 2: Bring your paddle back and slightly behind your body. The backhand 3rd shot drop is a shot that requires a good preparation and a proper backswing. You have to bring your paddle back and slightly behind your body, so that you can generate enough power and control for the shot. You have to keep your paddle face open, your wrist loose, and your grip light.
• Step 3: Step forward with your non-dominant foot and turn your torso slightly towards the net. The backhand 3rd shot drop is a shot that requires a good timing and a smooth transition. You have to step forward with your non-dominant foot and turn your torso slightly towards the net, so that you can align your body and your paddle with the ball and the target. You have to keep your eyes on the ball, your head still, and your shoulders level.
• Step 4: Hit the ball with a smooth, controlled motion, keeping your wrist loose. The backhand 3rd shot drop is a shot that requires a good contact and a gentle follow-through. You have to hit the ball with a smooth, controlled motion, keeping your wrist loose and your paddle face open. You have to hit the ball with a slight upward angle, creating a high arc over the net and a short bounce in the non-volley zone. You have to hit the ball with enough power to make it clear the net, but not too much to make it go out. You have to aim for the middle of the non-volley zone, or slightly closer to the net.
• Step 5: Follow through with your swing and turn your body back to the court. The backhand 3rd shot drop is a shot that requires a good recovery and a quick readiness. You have to follow through with your swing and turn your body back to the court, so that you can finish the shot and prepare for the next one. You have to move forward and split step at the non-volley zone line, so that you can join your partner and get ready for the volley.

Final Words

Mastering the drop shot in pickleball can elevate your game to new heights. You can develop the necessary skills, control, and finesse to execute effective drop shots by consistently practising the top drills outlined in this post.

Incorporate these drills into your training regimen and watch your opponents struggle to anticipate and counter your well-placed shots. Level up your game and become a formidable force on the pickleball court with the power of the drop shot. Best of luck for your future game.

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