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How to stop missing drop shots

How to stop missing drop shots

Paul from Pickleball Daily
February 05, 2026

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Tip of the day

18 Minutes to Master the Third Shot Drop

Shea Underwood shares a comprehensive blueprint for the third shot drop, covering everything from fundamental contact points to deceptive "inside-out" techniques used at the professional level.

Maintaining contact in front of your body is essential because it keeps both the ball and your paddle within your field of vision for maximum accuracy.

If you let the ball get beside or behind you, your weight often shifts backward, which either sends the ball into the net or pops it up for a high-speed counter.

Active footwork is the key to consistency; you must constantly adjust your position so the ball remains centered in front of you, especially when facing heavy slice.

Wait for the incoming return to reach its peak or start falling before you strike it, as this ensures the ball has the least amount of momentum for a controlled drop.

Keeping your wrist locked reduces variability in your stroke, allowing you to "push" the ball with your arm and body rather than relying on unreliable wrist flicks.

Spin continuation is a powerful tool: when you see an opponent's paddle move down (backspin), respond with a low-to-high motion to add topspin and help the ball roll off your paddle.

Staying low through the entire shot is vital; rushing to the kitchen by standing up too early disrupts your balance and often results in a mistimed or high shot.

Aim for your drop to peak on your own side of the court, specifically at your opponent’s head height, so that it is falling as it crosses the net.

Choosing to go crosscourt provides you with the most surface area in the kitchen, making your drops much safer than aiming for the shorter down-the-line distance.

A simple tactical rule to follow is to drop the ball if your feet are inside the court, but consider driving the ball if you are forced to make contact from behind the baseline.

Key Points:

Position yourself so you can strike the ball while your momentum is moving forward into the court.
Use small, active steps to realign your body as the ball bounces to counteract unpredictable kicks from backspin returns.
Focus on keeping your paddle face pointed toward your target throughout the contact zone for a more predictable flight path.
Target the center of the court to force opponent communication and avoid hitting into the higher parts of the net at the sidelines.
Visualize finishing your follow-through over your paddle-side shoulder to naturally generate consistent topspin.

Watch the full tutorial here.