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The modern 3rd shot
Paul from Pickleball Daily
November 12, 2025
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Tip of the day
Modern pickleball requires players to use several different third-shot drop options to avoid being left behind.
The first type is the Lift or Push-Drop, used for shorter or shallower returns, where you must keep the wrist locked and lead with the hand for stability and consistency.
The second option is the Topspin Drop, which puts pressure on opponents' feet and provides high net margin, requiring an upward brushing motion from a dropped paddle head.
The third is the Slice Drop, best for low, extended balls, requiring a closed stance and a laid-back, locked wrist position to get underneath the ball and create slice.
A newer and aggressive shot is the Drip or Hybrid, which is a slow-paced drive hit at 60-70% speed to dip quickly to the returner’s feet as they run forward.
The fifth and final option is the Shovel Drop, which is efficient and consistent, used when the return is deep or off of a block to buy time.
For the Shovel Drop, you must hinge or cup your wrist to get the paddle face angled upwards and use your shoulder for the primary lifting motion.
Adding all these variations is necessary to maintain an offensive advantage in modern gameplay.
Key Points:
The Lift or Push-Drop is used for short returns and requires a locked, stable wrist.
The Topspin Drop provides high net margin and must be hit with an upward brush from a dropped paddle head.
The Slice Drop is best used when you are extended and requires a closed stance to get underneath the ball.
The Drip or Hybrid is a slow-paced drive hit at 60-70% power that targets the returner's feet.
The Shovel Drop is efficient for buying time off of deep returns or blocks and requires a hinged wrist for loft.
All modern players must use a variety of third-shot drops, including the aggressive Drip shot, to keep opponents off balance.
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That’s it for today! As always, thank you for reading. 🙏
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Happy pickling,
Paul