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.
Key points
- 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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