You might hear pickleball players say, “Hit a drop,” but what exactly are they talking about?
A drop shot is a soft shot usually hit from farther back in the court that lands gently inside your opponent’s kitchen. Instead of trying to win the point with power, the goal is to make the ball difficult to attack and give you time to move forward.
Here is what a drop shot is, when to use one, and how it is different from other common pickleball shots.
What Is a Drop Shot in Pickleball?
A drop shot is a soft, controlled shot that is usually hit from deeper in the court and intended to land inside your opponent’s kitchen.
The ball travels in a gentle arc over the net and drops low enough that your opponent has difficulty attacking it.
Unlike a drive, a drop is not about hitting the ball hard.
The goal is control, placement, and giving yourself time to move forward.
Why Do Players Use Drop Shots?
Players often use a drop when their opponents are already standing near the kitchen line.
If you hit a hard shot from the back of the court, your opponent may be able to volley it straight back at you.
A good drop makes that more difficult because the ball lands low in front of them.
It can help you:
- Slow down the rally
- Make the ball harder to attack
- Give yourself time to move towards the kitchen
- Change from a fast rally into a softer one
- Get into a better position on the court
A drop does not need to win the rally immediately.
Sometimes its main job is simply to help you move forward.
When Should You Hit a Drop?
A drop can be useful when you are farther back in the court and your opponents are already near the kitchen line.
You may choose a drop when:
- You need time to move forward
- The ball is too low to attack comfortably
- Your opponents are in a strong position near the kitchen
- You want to slow down the rally
- A hard drive would be difficult to control
You do not have to use a drop every time.
The best shot depends on the ball you receive and where everyone is standing on the court.
Where Should a Drop Land?
A good drop should land softly inside your opponent’s kitchen.
The goal is to keep the ball low enough that your opponent cannot easily attack it.
You can aim:
- Towards the middle
- Towards an opponent’s backhand
- Crosscourt
- Into open space inside the kitchen
You do not need to aim right beside the net.
For beginners, getting the ball safely over the net and into the kitchen is more important than trying to hit the perfect spot.
How to Hit a Drop Shot
A drop should feel smooth and controlled.
Start by moving into a balanced position and getting behind the ball. Keep your knees slightly bent and your paddle in front of your body.
Use a short, gentle swing to lift the ball over the net.
Focus on these basics:
- Move your feet and get into position.
- Keep your eyes on the ball.
- Contact the ball in front of your body.
- Use a short and controlled swing.
- Give the ball enough height to clear the net.
- Aim for your opponent’s kitchen.
- Move forward when your drop gives you the opportunity.
You do not need a large backswing or a lot of power.
Think of the shot as guiding the ball into the kitchen rather than hitting it there.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Hitting the Ball Too Hard
A drop is a soft shot.
If you hit it too hard, the ball may travel too deep and give your opponent an easier ball to attack.
Focus on control rather than power.
Hitting Too Low
Trying to keep the ball extremely low can lead to hitting it into the net.
Your first goal should be to clear the net.
As your control improves, you can work on keeping the ball lower.
Using Too Much Backswing
A large backswing makes it harder to control the distance of the shot.
Keep the movement short and relaxed.
Reaching Instead of Moving Your Feet
Drops are much harder to control when you are stretching for the ball.
Move your feet so you can make contact from a comfortable position.
Running Forward Too Early
A drop can help you move towards the kitchen, but that does not mean you should immediately rush forward after every drop.
Watch the quality of your shot first.
If your drop is too high and your opponent can attack it, you may need to stay back and defend.
Drop vs Dink vs Drive
These three shots can be confusing at first, but the difference is quite simple.
A drop is a soft shot usually hit from farther back in the court. It is used to land the ball in the kitchen and help you move forward.
A dink is also soft and lands in the kitchen, but it is usually played when you are already standing near the kitchen line.
A drive is a faster and firmer shot used to put pressure on your opponent.
An easy way to remember them is:
Drop: Soft shot that helps you move forward.
Dink: Soft shot played near the kitchen.
Drive: Fast shot used to create pressure.
What Is a Third Shot Drop?
You will often hear the phrase third shot drop in pickleball.
It simply means hitting a drop on the third shot of the rally.
The sequence looks like this:
1. Serve
2. Return
3. Drop
Because the serving team has to let the return bounce before hitting it, they will often still be farther back in the court on the third shot.
A third shot drop can land softly in the opponent’s kitchen and give the serving team an opportunity to begin moving forward.
Not every third shot needs to be a drop. Players may also choose a drive depending on the ball they receive.
Quick Recap
A drop shot is a soft shot usually hit from deeper in the court that lands inside your opponent’s kitchen.
Players use it to make the ball harder to attack and give themselves time to move forward.
The easiest way to remember it is:
Drop = soft shot from farther back that lands in the kitchen.
Do not worry about making every drop perfect when you first start.
Focus on getting the ball over the net, keeping it controlled, and gradually learning how much height and power you need.
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