Pickleball Tutorial Program · Advanced
The Third Shot Drive
The drop is not the only third shot. A well-chosen drive — hard, low, at a body or a gap — wins points outright or forces the weak block that makes your NEXT shot an easy drop. Advanced teams don't drive OR drop; they mix both to stay unpredictable.
One thing to master: the decision. Drive when the ball is high or the return is short; drop when they're set and the ball is low.
What you'll learn
- The drive/drop decision tree
- Compact drive mechanics with a little topspin
- The 'shake and bake' — drive third, crash for the fifth
The technique
Decide, don't default
Drive when: the return is short, you take the ball above net height, or the opponents' hands are slow. Drop when: they're planted at the line and the ball is low. If you're guessing, drop — it's the higher-percentage builder.
Drive mechanics
Compact backswing, low-to-high brush for modest topspin, contact out front, target the body of the weaker volleyer or the middle seam. Net clearance of a foot — a drive into the tape donates the point.
Drive the third, drop the fifth
The classic pattern: your drive forces a defensive block that floats; you or your partner step in and drop (or put away) the fifth shot. This is the 'shake and bake' when the partner crashes the net behind your drive.
Read the block
If their block is controlled and soft into your kitchen, reset and start the dink battle. If it pops up — finish. The drive earns you easier decisions, not automatic winners.
Drills to practice
- Decision feeds: partner alternates deep and short returns randomly — call 'drive' or 'drop' out loud before hitting
- Drive targets: aim third-shot drives at a chair placed at the middle seam; 10 attempts, count hits
- Shake-and-bake reps with a partner: you drive, they crash, finish the fifth ball
Common mistakes
- Driving every third shot because it feels strong (good teams feast on predictable drives)
- Aiming drives at sidelines instead of bodies and seams
- Forgetting the plan: the drive is a setup, so be ready for the fifth
References
- USA Pickleball — Official Rules hub (updated annually) — usapickleball.org/rules/
Rule statements in this lesson were validated against the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook (effective January 1, 2026). Technique and drill guidance reflects widely taught coaching practice for recreational play.