Top 5 Mistakes Beginners Make with the Third Shot in Pickleball [and How to Fix Them]

Mikhail Ricci April 25, 2023 66 1

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This is part two of our series on mastering the third shot for beginners. Read part one here and part three here.

The third shot in pickleball is a crucial moment in any rally. Whether you drop or drive, executing this shot effectively can set the tone for the rest of the game. However, beginners often struggle with the third shot, leading to missed opportunities and lost points. In this article, we will discuss the top five mistakes beginners make with the third shot and provide tips on fixing them.

Lack of Strategy or Decision Making

Mistake: One common mistake beginners make is not having a clear strategy or decision-making process when choosing between a drop or drive for their third shot. Instead, they may default to the same shot every time or make a last-minute decision, leading to inconsistency and errors.

How to Fix: Develop a clear strategy and decision-making process based on your opponents’ positioning, the quality of their return, and your own strengths and weaknesses. Recognize the appropriate situations to use a drop shot or a drive and practice implementing your strategy during games.

Poor Paddle Preparation

Mistake: Another common mistake beginners make is not preparing their paddle properly for the third shot. This can lead to a lack of control, inconsistency, and errors.

How to Fix: Focus on proper paddle preparation by keeping your paddle out in front of your body and avoiding excessive backswing. For the third shot drop, remember to start with your paddle in front and only pull it back down to about six inches in front of your toes. For the third shot drive, use a compact backswing and accelerate through the ball for better control and power.

Inadequate Knee Bend and Body Positioning

Mistake: Beginners often fail to bend their knees and position their bodies correctly when executing the third shot, which can lead to poor shot quality and inconsistency.

How to Fix: Focus on bending your knees and maintaining a relatively upright posture when executing the third shot, particularly for the drop shot. This will help you get under the ball and lift it over the net with more control. Remember to use your knees and not your back or wrist to generate power and control.

Adding Unnecessary Spin

Mistake: Beginners sometimes try to add spin to their third shot, leading to overcomplicating the shot and causing errors or inconsistencies.

Think knuckleball, not cutter when visualizing your 3rd shot.

How to Fix: Focus on hitting the third shot with minimal spin. Instead of trying to add slice or topspin, work on hitting a flat shot with good placement and trajectory. This will help improve the consistency and effectiveness of your third shot.

Poor Shot Selection and Execution

Mistake: Beginners often struggle with shot selection and execution for the third shot, leading to errors and lost opportunities.

How to Fix: Recognize the appropriate situations to use a drop shot or a drive based on your opponents’ positioning and the quality of their return. Be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses and adjust your shot selection accordingly. Practice executing the third shot drop and drive in various situations to improve your overall shot selection and execution.

Conclusion: Mastering the third shot in pickleball is an essential skill for any player looking to improve their game. By addressing these common mistakes and implementing the provided tips, beginners can significantly enhance their third-shot performance and increase their chances of success on the court. Keep practicing and refining your strategy, and watch your game reach new heights.

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Mikhail Ricci

Dink Evaluator at Pickleballologist

Hey there, I'm Mike. I'm a pickleball aficionado by day, pickleball dreamer by night, and honestly, the only thing I'm probably worse at than avoiding tripping over my own shoelaces is resisting the addictive allure of pickleball.

I hail from the picturesque landscapes of Denver, Colorado, where the pickleball scene is as vibrant as our city's sunsets. The game has changed my life in ways I never thought a sport could. You see, before I got hooked, my closest encounter with a racket was a fly swatter.

As far as my coaching credentials go, well, it's a classic underdog story. I was once the guy who couldn't tell a pickleball paddle from a pizza peel, and now I'm proudly sporting the title of Master Teaching Professional from the IPTPA. If that doesn't give hope to all my fellow klutzes, I don't know what will!

My love for pickleball goes far beyond the court. I run the In2Pickle YouTube channel, which is a blend of pickleball tactics, bloopers (mostly mine), and heartfelt stories from players whose lives have been touched by the sport. If you're more into listening than watching, you can catch me chatting about everything pickleball-related on my Pickleball Therapy podcast. And if that isn't enough, I've also penned a book titled "Play Pickleball", where I share everything from basic rules to advanced strategies, and of course, anecdotes of my own hilarious mishaps.

Social FTW!