Last updated: 3 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
The third-shot drop is widely considered the most important shot in pickleball doubles. Because the two-bounce rule keeps the serving team back for the first exchanges, their third shot of the rally (after serve and return) needs to be a soft, arcing ‘drop’ that lands gently in the opponents’ kitchen. This neutralises the returning team’s net advantage and allows the serving team to move forward to the kitchen line, where most points are won. A well-executed third-shot drop is the key to taking control of the rally.
- Soft drop into the opponents' kitchen
- The serving team's crucial third shot
- Neutralises the returners' net advantage
- Lets the serving team advance to the net
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The third-shot drop in pickleball — a soft, arcing shot hit from the baseline area that lands just over the net in the opponent's kitchen — is considered one of the sport's most important tactical shots, since it allows the serving team (who start at a positional disadvantage after serving from the baseline) to neutralize that disadvantage and advance safely to the net without giving the opposing net-positioned team an easy attacking opportunity.
FAQ
Why is the third-shot drop so important in pickleball?
After serving, the serving team starts at the baseline while the receiving team is often already positioned at the net — the third-shot drop lets the serving team advance to the net safely without giving the opponents an easy attacking ball to smash.
What makes the third-shot drop difficult to execute?
It requires precise touch and arc to land the ball softly just over the net in the opponent's kitchen, rather than hitting it too hard (giving opponents an easy attacking shot) or too short (into the net).