Many new pickleball players, particularly those coming from tennis, like to hit the ball hard. Groundstrokes, passing shots, and third-shot drives, in particular, are used often.
And while all these shots have merit, there is a certain time and situation in which to use them. Overuse or using them at the wrong time can lead to lost points and matches.
Choices matter: How to pick between drop or drive
According to Susannah, hitting the third shot in pickleball is all about making the right choices on the fly. Players must decide where to hit the ball and what kind of shot to execute. The three main shot types are the drop, drive, and medium pace ball. By practicing these shots, players can learn to mix them up during games without overthinking.
What is a third shot drive?
A third shot drive is an alternative to the third shot drop. Rather than dropping the ball into the kitchen, you hit the ball with pace.
This shot is used for a variety of reasons, including to catch your opponent off guard, to punish your opponent for poor positioning, or to set up an easier fifth shot.
How to hit a third shot drive
The number one key to hitting a successful third shot drive is proper balance. When executing this shot, you must ensure that you are in a stable, equal position.
If you attempt to hit a drive when you’re off-balance, lunging to one side, or even leaning backward, you often hit an improper third shot drive. This enables your opponent to dictate the point because you’ll be scrambling to recover throughout the entire point.
Next, you need to position yourself so that you’re able to step into the ball as you hit it, swinging from low to high to create topspin. Ensure you follow through with your swing to finish with your paddle above your opposite shoulder.
Mastering the third shot drive isn’t about hitting the ball as hard as you can — you simply want to change the pace. Hit the ball hard enough to catch your opponents off guard, but not so hard that it flies off the court.
When to use the pickleball third shot drive
There are a number of factors to consider when selecting your third shot. Consider a third shot drive in these scenarios:
- You are playing in a windy environment. If you are playing in a high-wind environment, you might as well hit a third shot drive. It can be very difficult-to-control third shot drops in the wind because they often move slower and higher in the air.
- If your opponent has weaker volleys. If your opponents prefer to dink everything, test their skills with a drive. Odds are, you’ll catch them off guard, which will set you up for a win.
- If your opponent is slow to the kitchen line. You want to keep your opponents back off the kitchen line. If you notice your opponent is slow to move to the kitchen after your serve, drive the ball fast toward their feet. This will force them to stay back to return the ball.
- Your opponent hit a high return. If your opponent returns the ball closer to the net and it bounces high, it’s time to hit a drive. Doing so will catch your opponents off guard, allowing you time to move toward the kitchen.
- If you’re nervous or tight. It can be hard to execute a third shot drop when you’re nervous because you often squeeze your paddle too tight. Drive the ball until you feel better and then resume your shot selection as normal.
Lesson 2: The Importance of Drills
To demonstrate the drills, Susannah enlisted the help of Kendall and Porter. Kendall practiced choosing between the drop, medium paced ball, or drive, while Porter positioned himself at the kitchen line. The idea behind the medium paced shot is to aim at the opponent's feet as they approach the kitchen line after returning a serve. By incorporating drills into practice, players can develop the skill of transitioning between different shots and keeping opponents guessing.
Lesson 3: Mixing It Up
One common challenge players face is getting stuck hitting the same shots repeatedly. Susannah emphasizes the importance of transitioning between shot types and varying the pace to make it more difficult for opponents to return the ball. She demonstrates a pattern of drop, medium, and drive shots, and then encourages Kendall to break the pattern and make her own choices on the pace of her third shot.
The strategy of a third shot drive
One common misconception about the third shot drive is that it is a point-ender. Too often, players hit a third shot drive and expect that to be the end of the point or enough to move to the kitchen line.
But that’s not true. The true goal of the third shot drive is to set yourself up for a better fifth shot.
So, once you hit your third shot drive, you can usually gain one or two steps forward. Then, you want to perform a split step and gauge how your opponent will react.
If your opponent blocks or punches the ball back to you, you’ve given yourself an easier and shorter drop shot. If you cause your opponent to pop the ball up, you can charge forward to hit a put-away shot.
As you hit the third shot drive, remember that it’s about gaining ground and control of a point, not hitting an immediate winner.
Lesson 4: Take Your Time
While practicing, Susannah reminds players not to rush. It's essential to take time on each drill, focusing on making conscious choices and smooth transitions between shots. This approach will help players develop muscle memory and make better decisions during games.
Lesson 5: Changing Angles and Positions
To add variety to the drills, Susannah suggests practicing crosscourt shots and trying the drills from different positions on the court. This helps players get comfortable with various scenarios and improve their third shot game overall.
The instructional pickleball video on SelkirkTV with professional player Susannah Barr offers valuable insights for players looking to improve their third shot game. By focusing on making choices, practicing drills, mixing up shot types, taking time, and changing angles and positions, players can enhance their skills and become formidable opponents on the pickleball court. Don't forget to check out the full video for a complete demonstration of Susannah's tips and tricks!
To watch the complete episode and many other Selkirk TV original shows, podcasts, lesson series from the pros, and much more, download the Selkirk TV app HERE.
