Pickleball Third-Shot Drop Drill

A pickleball tactics drill that practices the third shot of the rally: after the serve and return, the serving team plays a soft drop into the non-volley zone so they can move up to the net. Students work on a low-to-high stroke, touch, and moving forward.

How to play

1. Groups of 4 per court: two servers at the baseline and two returners. Tape the non-volley zone (the kitchen), 7 ft (2.1 m) on each side of the net (2 min).
2. Sequence: underhand serve, a deep return, and the server's third shot: a soft, arcing drop that lands in the opponents' kitchen.
3. If the drop lands in the kitchen, the serving team moves up to the kitchen line and the point is played out; if it lands long or floats high, the returners may attack it.
4. Drill scoring: 1 point for each drop that lands in the kitchen and 1 bonus point if the serving team then wins the rally (sets of 10 serves, 6 min).
5. Switch roles so the returners serve and repeat the set (6 min). Debrief on the ideal height of the drop (2 min).

Rules

• No volleying inside the kitchen or stepping on its line while volleying.
• The return must bounce before it is hit, and so must the third shot (two-bounce rule).
• No slamming at the body of an opponent standing at the net.
• Stray balls are cleared off the court before play continues.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student plays the drop from a fixed spot and their partner moves up to cover the net.
• Visual impairment: use a brightly colored ball and high-contrast tape on the kitchen lines.
• Skill level: beginner groups play without points, just counting drops that land in.

Learning goals

• Hit a soft, low-to-high drop that lands in the kitchen.
• Understand why the third shot lets a team move up to the net.
• Apply the two-bounce and non-volley zone rules.

Equipment for a class of 25

• pickleball paddles: 24
• pickleballs: 24
• low nets: 6
• masking tape rolls: 3

Teacher tip

Most students hit the drop too hard; cue "lift it, don't push it," with an open paddle face and a swing from the shoulder. If courts are not painted, tape the kitchens before class.

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