The Third Shot Evolution: How It's Changed and What Your Options Are
For years, the third-shot drop was considered the most important shot in pickleball. Soft, controlled, and barely clearing the net. Anything less than that was viewed as a mistake.
That advice made sense then. It doesn’t always make sense now.
The game has changed.
Early pickleball rewarded patience because paddles were softer, balls moved more slowly and far fewer former tennis players were on board with the game. You had more time. A well-executed third-shot drop often allowed players to get to the kitchen line in a single shot. That window is much smaller today.
Modern paddles generate more pace and spin, and the athleticism at the non-volley zone has gone way up. Most players, especially at intermediate and advanced levels, are no longer getting to the kitchen in one shot.
Sadly, what ends up happening, and we can all relate, is players stop short, hesitate, or worse, get punished for coming in on a ball that’s too high. As a coach, this is one of my biggest pet peeves.
The Problem With “Drop No Matter What”
One of the most damaging pieces of instruction floating around right now is telling players they must come in behind every third shot, regardless of height, depth, or quality. That’s horrible advice!
Coming in on a high third doesn’t make you brave or disciplined. It makes you a target—and it's dumb. That’s how players get their face taken off, lose confidence, and eventually start backing up instead of moving forward with purpose. It also reinforces fear-based movement instead of intelligent court positioning.
I've seen some players just stay back at the baseline and never come in at all for fear of getting hurt. Then the point is over in three shots. How fun can that be?
Yes, many players “die” in no man’s land. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid it at all costs. It means you should learn how to survive there.
That’s why I believe the fifth shot is more important than the third.
If you can handle the fifth, whether it’s a block, reset, or soft counter, you can get to the kitchen in two or three shots instead of forcing it in one.
When the Drive Makes Sense
Driving the third ball is also an option. It’s strategic when you choose the right ball. Height and depth matter. If the return sits up or lands short, driving is absolutely a viable option, especially if you’re intentional about placement.
When I play professionally, I drive roughly 70% of the time and drop about 30%.
Why? Because a good drive limits options.
I’m typically driving to the middle of the court to create confusion and limit the angles of my opponents. Many times, I will also drive at the player in front of me to jam them and force a predictable block, setting up an easier fifth shot in mid-court.
The goal isn’t to hit winners. It’s to simplify the point and create a ball I can work with next. Think ahead.
Drive, Then Adjust
Here’s where players get it wrong: they drive all the way to the net.
At least that's what I used to do, especially when I would panic mid-court—thinking if I hit it harder, I would be able to blow by the players at the net. That doesn't work!
Now I’ll usually drive once, read the response, and then soften my fifth shot.
If you keep swinging hard at players who are already established at the kitchen, all you’re doing is feeding pace. The harder you hit at them, the faster it comes back. Points end quickly that way.
Smart offense means knowing when to take speed off the ball.
The Evolution
The third shot doesn’t need to be perfect. It never did.
What matters is decision-making.
Understand when to drive, when to drop, and when to wait. The modern game rewards adaptability, not rigid rules.
If you stop forcing the drop every time and start respecting the fifth shot, you’ll move forward with more control, more confidence, and far fewer body bags.
About the Author: Gina Cilento is a top 10 Senior Pro and multi-APP medalist who splits her time between competing and coaching. She’s the co-founder of The Pickleball Lab, a pod player for the Denver Iconics in the National Pickleball League, and co-host of Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil. Off the court, Gina shares her passion through her apparel line, The Pick, and her work with Empower Pickleball.
