One of my favorite parts of attending a top tournament like Nationals or the US Open is the chance to discover some of the cutting-edge trends in the game.
Like Roger Bannister and the 4 minute mile, the trickle-down effect is amazing when top players prove that something is possible. Once we see someone do something, then other players discover that they can do it, too, and suddenly, it’s a new standard in the game.
I wasn’t in the game before dinking was “discovered” but I imagine it followed a similar pattern.
I HAVE been in the game since “the Erne shot” and around-the-pole shots have become popular.
They used to be few and far between, but now they are almost standard shots any 4.5+ player must be prepared to receive, if not be able to execute.
One shot that I saw implemented more frequently at Nationals this year than in the past, is the third shot drive instead of the third shot drop.
Today I want to talk about WHY top players are using the third shot drive instead of the third shot drop, WHEN it makes sense to use it, and how to tell whether it’s something that you should consider implementing in your game.
Now, if you’ve been following me for any length of time, you may already know my take on the drop shot. If you don’t, you might consider checking out my posts on the Top 3 Reasons You MUST Play at The No-Volley Line (And 2 Lies You Tell Yourself When You’re There) as well as 4 Secrets to Get Your Dropshot to Go Where You Want (and Not Where You Don’t) and What to Do When Your Drop Shot Doesn’t Drop.
But assuming you’ve already read all that, let’s dive in…
Why Players Use the Third Shot Drive
The short answer is:
To surprise their opponents into popping the ball up in the hopes of getting a put-away
The long answer is:
It’s never good to be too predictable. At beginner and intermediate levels consistency is generally more important than variability. At the top levels, consistency is a given, and you want to keep your opponents on their toes.
But Don’t Shake It Up Just for the Sake of Shaking it Up…
So it’s good to shake things up now and again, but ONLY, if you have something else to gain by mixing it up. I never recommend mixing it up just for the sake of mixing it up.
In the case of the third shot drive, here’s the ideal scenario: Your opponents are caught off guard and inadvertently pop the ball up, giving your partner a chance to put the ball away. At the very least, your opponents will be on the defense and in the best case, the put-away will end the point in your favor.
Remember, like I talk about in this article, whichever team is in a position to hit DOWNWARD on the ball has a better chance of winning the point. Conversely, whichever team is hitting the ball UPWARD has a better chance of losing the point.
The drop shot is ONE way to get your opponents to hit the ball upward, and as another alternative, the third shot drive is simply a set-up shot for hitting the NEXT shot at a sharp downward angle.
So if hitting a third shot drive is such a good alternative to the third shot drop, why don’t I recommend it to my students?
Let’s get specific.
Why the Drive Shot Will Never be a Full Stand-In for the Drop Shot
While the third shot drive CAN be a substitute for the third shot drop, the drive, in general, is NOT a substitute for the drop shot. Players who opt for the third shot drive and DON’T end the point, will end up going back to the drop shot for the 5th, 7th and/or 9th shots of the game. They’ll do this in order to get themselves off the defense, back up to the net, and in a position to win.
The well-executed drop shot is the fail-proof way to buy yourself time and keep your opponents from being too aggressive while you work your way up to the net. The drive will never buy you time to move up, which is why it will never be a full substitute for the drop shot.
Now, let’s talk about WHEN it makes sense to go for the third shot drive, and when it DOESN’T make sense.
When (and When NOT) to Go for a Third Shot Drive
When you see players at the top levels go for the third shot drive, there are a few things that they have in place which you may not have thought much about. (I talk more about this in my article, Top Pickleball Players: Why They Can Break The “Rules” & You Probably Shouldn’t.)
Reflexes
First of all, teams who use this technique well are generally athletic, quick on their feet, and have quick reflexes.
If you are NOT athletic, quick on your feet, and have quick reflexes, then you should NOT consider going for the third shot drive. (Having had quick reflexes 20 years ago, unfortunately, doesn’t count!)
A Game Plan
Additionally, these teams have a strong synergy and a shared game plan. They wouldn’t be going for a third shot drive if they didn’t know for sure that their partner was gonna be up at the net and ready to pounce on the opening
If your PARTNER is not athletic, quick on their feet, with quick reflexes, and a good understanding of the strategy behind the third shot drive, then you should NOT use the third shot drive.
Excellent Ball Control
The third shot drive attack ONLY works if your partner moves to the net quickly and is prepared to put the ball away (if it’s high), or hit a drop volley back (if it’s low).
If your partner is not able to control the ball well, then chances are the plan will backfire as your partner pops the ball up and your opponents (who are already up at the net) put it away for the win.
So don’t hit a third shot drive if your partner isn’t very quick with excellent ball control.
You should also NEVER hit a third shot drive if you or your partner are going to hang at the back of the court. (You should never hang at the back of the court ever if you can avoid, and hitting a third shot drive is most likely only going to keep you back there longer if you haven’t been able to get up to the net quickly.)
Let’s Bring it Back to YOUR Game…
All that said, let’s bring it back to YOU and YOUR game…
Chances are that the third shot drive is NOT a good strategy to implement into your game.
- If you’re a recreational player who doesn’t have much control over who your partner is for a given game…
- If you’re in less than tip-top conditioning…
- If you don’t have years of racket sport experience and excellent hand and ball control…
Then don’t do it.
But, like I said…
- If you’re in tip-top physical shape…
- You’ve got a solid partner who you are working on strategic plays with…
- And you’ve both got excellent hand and ball control…
Then give it a try once in a while to shake things up and let me know how it goes.
In the meantime, if you have any further questions or comments, go ahead and post a comment down below.
3rd shot drive very handy when playing outdoors in heavy wind in your face. Drop shots can routinely cataclysmic by falling short or teeing up an opponent smash.
Hitting a top spinning drive very handy in this situation!
I started playing the game about two years ago. When I started to play with “better” players, I was taught that you must ALWAYS hit a drop on the 3rd shot, as the goal is to get to the kitchen line as quick as possible. So this is what I learned to do.
I started introducing drives on the 3rd shot into my game about 4 months ago, and I can’t begin to tell you the difference this has had in my game. In my opinion, if you aren’t using the drive, your really missing out on a great weapon. Not only do you occasionally get a clean winner or a good attackable high ball that comes from the drive, there’s something about a good drive that makes the opponent feel uncomfortable about that pace.
I stole when and how I use the drive from Steven Dawson’s airing on the Pickleball show. Its based mainly on the height & depth of the return:
– If the return is SHORT and the ball sets up HIGH: Drive it just about every time.
– If the return is DEEP and the ball sets up HIGH: Drive or drop depending on a few factors…the opponents volleying skill, past success with driving the ball in that game, score of the game, etc.
– If the return is DEEP and LOW: Drop it
The things that I try to remember are:
1. Drive to the middle: I have a lot of success hitting the drive in between the players for obvious reasons.
2. Don’t over hit: When I think “hit a winner” vs. “place the drive”, my miss percentage is much higher. I feel best (much more consistent) when I’m hitting drives at 75 or 80 percent of full power.
3. Hit with topspin and not flat: My best drives are hit by adding more topspin (more of a low to high trajectory) rather than a flat (more horizontal) swing. This gives me the extra margin to make sure I keep the ball in play. Daniel Moore is a good study for hitting with topspin on his drives.
4. Staying to headstrong: Some days I’m simply not hitting my drives well, or the payers on the other side of the court are just great volleyers. Rather than staying committed to a drive that is just not working, I have to be flexible to go back to the drops for most of the returns.
Plus there’s just something internally that happens with driving the ball. My mindset becomes much more offensive in the game. Coming from a passive mindset before (i.e., drop, then dink, dink, dink until you get a high ball to attach on) I’m looking more at attacking balls as soon as possible. It just makes my game more powerful and offensive, which this might not be something someone else is working on.
I’m extremely grateful to the advise of hitting drops in the past, but from now on, I’m all about the drive on the 3rd shot (if possible) and then drop on the 5th or 7th as needed.
JAW
Thanks Jason,
Love your detailed experience and sharing.
There is no right or wrong answer in it. I am a big proponent of do what works for you. Glad the drive is YOUR option.
For all you read this try it if you are comfortable with transitioning to 5 or 7th shot. Otherwise learn to drop or find a way to get to the NVZ safely
I think a third shot drive is a choice shot if in recreational play if the defensive player stays back away from the kitchen line. I think this is a real option for a recreational player who is having one of those bad day drop shot days or is off balance to hit one in the first place. It is like the opposite third shot lob if the defensive player is staying back. I really think what counts is whatever the opponent gives you and the kind of day your having with the drop at least at the recreational level.
Prem, you state, “The third shot drive attack ONLY works if your partner moves to the net quickly and is prepared to put the ball away (if it’s high), or hit a drop volley back (if it’s low). You should also NEVER hit a third shot drive if you or your partner are going to hang at the back of the court.”
I completely disagree with this instruction. Many top players and teams hit a solid ground stroke and STAY BACK. The strategy involves making your opponent hit a volley. This becomes a match up of baseliners hitting ground strokes verses players at the NVZ line hitting volleys. At lower skill levels to intermediate levels, players will make mistakes on hitting their volleys. Higher levels of play know the percentage is to volley the ball back, hopefully deep, but certainly not to try and put the ball away. The team back has not lost anything and when the volley is hit short, then the back team moves up together and the player hitting the ball should now hit the ball into the kitchen. Bangers will drive that ball and good volleyers will have the advantage. Weaker players and players with too big of a volley technique will have to face a close range drive designed to break their volley down.
A 3rd shot drive is easier to hit than a 3rd shot drop into the kitchen. The biggest error is to have the strategy to ALWAYS move forward on your drive or when you hit a 3rd shot drop too high.
Additionally, It is VERY difficult to put the ball away from two skilled players that stay back and keep the ball in play with good ground strokes. You may counter that the team up will hit a drop volley but let’s be real here. Players up to the 4.0 level don’t know how to hit a drop volley and their attempt is nothing more than a short ball that is easy to get to and much easier to hit a drop shot into their opponent’s kitchen.
A sound strategy is to hit a 3rd shot drive and both players stay back. When the opponents volley short into your court, then move up and hit a 5th or 7th drop shot and get up top the nVZ line with your paddles up.
Are we talking about us normal players or top players. I already the top dogs have more versatility in their shot making. But if you are the middle of the road player, then the drive without a clear strategy is not a valid option.
Having said if you and your partner have a great understanding no biggy.
Great analysis. I’ll need some of these comments when I play with someone who never uses the 3rd shot drop shot. So annoying!