Let’s admit it: Even if you are convinced about the merits of the third shot drop, sometimes you don’t hit a perfect drop shot. (ahem, perhaps even more often than not…)
And even if you believe you are (or actually are) amongst the blessed few who can drop them shot after shot like a pro basketball player sinking free throws, chances are you’ll be on the same side of the net sometime soon with someone else who can’t.
Many players are tempted to give up in despair when they or their partner hit a bad drop shot, but don’t let that be you.
Yes, you gotta get to non-volley line to control the point and no, a bad drop shot isn’t going to get you there in one move. But it doesn’t mean you should give up.
Here’s what to do instead.
This is a question I get asked over and over in my clinics. Here’s my answer.
Step 1: Assess Your Drop Shot Early (a.k.a. Figure Out What You Did Wrong ASAP So You Don’t Get Your Behind Kicked Pronto)
In order to defend against a bad drop shot, you’ve got to figure out that it was bad BEFORE your opponent whales the ball at your feet.
Makes sense, right?
So how can you figure it out BEFORE they eat it up for lunch?
Learn to predict the future.
This isn’t the first time I’ve taught about this. (Read this article for more on predicting the future in pickleball.)
How can you predict the future? Assess your shot early. If you can assess your shot as bad AS the ball passes the net, that’s a little better than figuring it out when it hits your opponent’s paddle. If you can assess your shot as the ball passes YOUR non volley line, that’s even better.
I always teach that the trajectory of a good drop shot should have the arc of the ball peaking over YOUR non-volley line, about 5′-6′ high, then dropping neatly into the kitchen about 1′-2′ from the net.
If this is what you are shooting for in a good drop shot, it tells you two things about a bad drop shot:
#1:) If the arch of the ball is higher than 5′-6′ as it crosses your non-volley line, you’re probably in for a bad shot.
#2) If your ball is not arcing UP on it’s way to your non-volley line, it’s probably not going to actually drop and head DOWN after it passes that line.
Step 2: Prepare to Defend Yourself
Okay, so you realize as the ball crosses your non volley line that you’ve hit a bad drop shot.
Now what?
Stop where you are and split step to the ready position as your opponent hits the ball. Then get your paddle down low in front of you and prepare to catch the ball with your paddle in front of your knees.
Catch the ball with your paddle? you might ask.
Yep, pretty much. You want to catch the ball with your paddle and scoop it back into another drop shot.
Step 3: Drop & Repeat
Go for that next drop shot, then, go back to Step 1 and Asses ASAP. If it’s a good drop shot, hustle all the way to the non volley line. If not, Prepare to Defend again, Drop & Repeat again.
So next time you miss your 3rd shot drop, don’t freak out. Just stay in the game, and keep working your way up the line, drop shot by drop shot.
Now, over to you. Was this article helpful? Have you had a chance to implement this? Please post your comments below and let me know about your own experience. As always, feel free to post any related questions as well.
’Til I see you on the court.
Happy playing.
Sounds helpful, but…What does “split step to the ready position” mean? Thanks,
Catherine
Split step is posture where you split your feet and stop to get ready to strike the next ball.
The ready position is having your paddle in front of you and ready to strike
Great visual advise for the third shot drop, after reading this I am more aware of the bad shot and more prepared going to NVL. Thanks, Greg
So glad to hear that my article helped you, Greg! Keep me updated to how your game keeps progressing!
Thank you Prem for reminding me of the technicals of the drop shot ! it always helps to go over them from time to time. I have read about your explanation of them in your book but have forgotten them. Now I will bring that to my next game and hopefully do the drop shot justice! Bob
Best of luck to you, Bob! Keep me updated as to if it makes a difference in your game!
Good points. But even when I DO hit a good drop shot I often find myself admiring its beauty instead of getting into position to handle the return, thus losing the benefit of having made a great shot.
You are certainly not the only one to suffer from THAT problem, Earl! But hopefully now you can recognize it a bit sooner and recover a little faster. Good luck.