I liked watching where the apex of your ball was, hitting the drop from your baseline. It looked like it was well behind the kitchen line in order to drop in the center of the kitchen. Thx!
Thanks for the videos. Why don't you like having the paddle tip pointing down vs at an angle to your arm? seems simpler if you have time to have the paddle in line with your arm?
I used 3rd shot drives rather frequently when I first began playing, as a 3rd shot drop was too difficult and my beginner opponents struggled against the drives. Now that I and my opponents are a little more experienced, that tends to backfire. I think these tips will finally help me to do a 3rd shot drop so that I can get up to the net quicker, where I usually outperform my opponents. Thanks Jordan!
Great tips. I have been working to get better at this shot. A lot of my misses are hitting the net tape. Trying to find that just-right touch. Have a happy Thanksgiving.
Great video, although I find in my group they drive the return ball deep and fast which makes the 3rd shot drop very difficult. I find myself giving up on it and driving the ball back to reduce unforced errors. More practice, I suppose.
Hi Jordan, I was wondering why a 2nd drop shot isn't used? I understand that you want to to keep your opponent back, near the baseline, but I have been trying to drop my return of serve into the kitchen, and it seems to work on some players. Once I do the shot, both of my opponents are running towards the net since they didn't expect it, and one of them also has to hit the ball. It seems to cause the most chance of them doing an unforced error. What do you think? Thanks, Dan
Against players that aren’t very mobile, this can be effective from time to time. When playing just about anyone else, this is just an easy invitation to the net, so I wouldn’t recommend it as a winning strategy.
So do third shot drops usually have a bit of top spin? I often try to do mine as a hard downward chop to generate back spin. Is this unusual? Granted I play mostly singles
A topspin drop is very effective. Most pros use it as much as they can because it’s the most aggressive style of drop. Backspin is good but if I had a choice I’d go with topspin. Topspin is tough on the backhand so most one handers will slice the backhand drop.
Thank you for all the great instructions. I have a request for a new video. I am an advanced player. My weakness is backhand dinks at the odd side of the court at the NVZ right along the sideline hit by the player in front of me. How do I play those balls to get in a neutral position. I play against other advance players who can attack any ball at net height that are within their reach.
My suggestion is to take that ball cross court to the odd side player, and hit it to their BH. This is assuming they are right handed. You may have to drill this shot. This may be tough to change the direction of the ball, but you have the most margin taking this ball cross court.
We have lots of videos on the 3rd shot drop showing different returns, you can check them out! Some returners will be much better than others. All these tips will help you no matter what kind of return you are receiving. Thanks for the comment !
I notice you still drop a short return. What about trying to drive a short? I’m still trying to master this shot. Man it’s tough. Trying to advance beyond the 3.5 level
Yes, it depends on the ball, and how good my opponents are at the net. If it bounces high and short, then I’ll probably drive it. But if it bounces a little lower, I may just drop it and get to the net.
I think if you did a taping of yourself in a real game and then freezing it at certain frames you can break down what you saw and your reaction. Videos like this are good but the advice is so general; us beginners are craving teaching of how to apply tips on the 3rd shot
I've been watching some pro doubles matches and apart from finding out that playing pickleball is a lot more fun than watching it, I think even the pros need to look at these videos. I see the pros just returning very short most of the time. It's kind of disappointing.
Sometimes they face some very tough serves in which case it's tough to get it back deep. Other times, they just didn't hit it that well but I see your point.
@@primetimepickleball I've been watching all of your lessons and I've been really trying to hit slice returns as deep and low as possible while rushing to the kitchen and it's made a very positive difference.
Beginner here. Just wondering why it's called the 3rd shot "drop" and are you saying that we should aim to always hit it into the kitchen zone in the 3rd shot? What if you drive the ball or backspin it into the kitchen?
Any shot that is descending down towards the NVZ would be considered a “drop”. There are many different shots that you can hit, and the 3rd shot drop is just one option.
You definitely can, although after the whole course of a game, that can be exhausting. Moving in after your drop, and then split stepping in the transition zone, can be a more efficient way to get to the net.
8:00 min of GOLD ! I put my earbud in, and watch this while I’m stretching before I play. Can’t watch this enough.
Awesome, happy to hear it's so helpful!
I liked watching where the apex of your ball was, hitting the drop from your baseline. It looked like it was well behind the kitchen line in order to drop in the center of the kitchen. Thx!
Yes, the ball needs to peak well on your side and be dropping as it crosses the net to the other side for an effective drop.
Thanks for the videos. Why don't you like having the paddle tip pointing down vs at an angle to your arm? seems simpler if you have time to have the paddle in line with your arm?
You can't produce topspin or underspin with the tip pointed down. Your shot variety is limited in that position.
I used 3rd shot drives rather frequently when I first began playing, as a 3rd shot drop was too difficult and my beginner opponents struggled against the drives. Now that I and my opponents are a little more experienced, that tends to backfire. I think these tips will finally help me to do a 3rd shot drop so that I can get up to the net quicker, where I usually outperform my opponents. Thanks Jordan!
Awesome 👏🏻!
Great tips. I have been working to get better at this shot. A lot of my misses are hitting the net tape. Trying to find that just-right touch. Have a happy Thanksgiving.
You too!!
Thank you very much you two. My weakest shot. This will really help. Have a great Thanksgiving.
You too!!
Great video, although I find in my group they drive the return ball deep and fast which makes the 3rd shot drop very difficult. I find myself giving up on it and driving the ball back to reduce unforced errors. More practice, I suppose.
Yes, more practice. Also drive on the 3rd is fine and then you can drop the 5th.
Thank you. I am getting much better, slowly... :)
Awesome! Keep it up.
Loved it
What are the 3 tips? Looking for cliffnotes.
Hi Jordan, I was wondering why a 2nd drop shot isn't used? I understand that you want to to keep your opponent back, near the baseline, but I have been trying to drop my return of serve into the kitchen, and it seems to work on some players. Once I do the shot, both of my opponents are running towards the net since they didn't expect it, and one of them also has to hit the ball. It seems to cause the most chance of them doing an unforced error. What do you think? Thanks, Dan
Against players that aren’t very mobile, this can be effective from time to time. When playing just about anyone else, this is just an easy invitation to the net, so I wouldn’t recommend it as a winning strategy.
Thank you for the tip, & removing the background music during instructions, it was getting quite repetitive ;)
I switch to ping pong grip with index finger on paddle somehow it gives me better reference especially during tournament when I was a bit loss, lol
Yes, there are players that love that grip as it does offer some advantages.
So do third shot drops usually have a bit of top spin? I often try to do mine as a hard downward chop to generate back spin. Is this unusual? Granted I play mostly singles
A topspin drop is very effective. Most pros use it as much as they can because it’s the most aggressive style of drop. Backspin is good but if I had a choice I’d go with topspin. Topspin is tough on the backhand so most one handers will slice the backhand drop.
Thanks so much Jordan. Great reminders, no matter your skill level. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Thanks, you too!!
Do you use a continental grip when you do your 3rd shot drops?
With flat and underspin drops like we show here…yes!
Thank you for all the great instructions. I have a request for a new video. I am an advanced player. My weakness is backhand dinks at the odd side of the court at the NVZ right along the sideline hit by the player in front of me. How do I play those balls to get in a neutral position. I play against other advance players who can attack any ball at net height that are within their reach.
My suggestion is to take that ball cross court to the odd side player, and hit it to their BH. This is assuming they are right handed. You may have to drill this shot. This may be tough to change the direction of the ball, but you have the most margin taking this ball cross court.
Most of times the returns don’t come slowly like you are showing in the video. Can you video that shows the returns are faster and more powerful?
We have lots of videos on the 3rd shot drop showing different returns, you can check them out! Some returners will be much better than others. All these tips will help you no matter what kind of return you are receiving. Thanks for the comment !
Thanks 🙏
I notice you still drop a short return. What about trying to drive a short?
I’m still trying to master this shot. Man it’s tough. Trying to advance beyond the 3.5 level
Yes, it depends on the ball, and how good my opponents are at the net. If it bounces high and short, then I’ll probably drive it. But if it bounces a little lower, I may just drop it and get to the net.
😀
I wonder if Jordan can hit such great 3rd shots without spinning the paddle between hits. 🤪 Maybe thats what I need to work on to get to 4.5! 🤔
Probably not !
His paddle just keeps spinning, doesn't it. It reminds me of those old hand-cranked food blenders.
I think if you did a taping of yourself in a real game and then freezing it at certain frames you can break down what you saw and your reaction. Videos like this are good but the advice is so general; us beginners are craving teaching of how to apply tips on the 3rd shot
Yes, filming yourself and reviewing is a great idea. Thanks for the feedback. Check out our channel. A lot of our videos lately go quite deep.
I've been watching some pro doubles matches and apart from finding out that playing pickleball is a lot more fun than watching it, I think even the pros need to look at these videos. I see the pros just returning very short most of the time. It's kind of disappointing.
Sometimes they face some very tough serves in which case it's tough to get it back deep. Other times, they just didn't hit it that well but I see your point.
@@primetimepickleball I've been watching all of your lessons and I've been really trying to hit slice returns as deep and low as possible while rushing to the kitchen and it's made a very positive difference.
Beginner here. Just wondering why it's called the 3rd shot "drop" and are you saying that we should aim to always hit it into the kitchen zone in the 3rd shot? What if you drive the ball or backspin it into the kitchen?
Any shot that is descending down towards the NVZ would be considered a “drop”. There are many different shots that you can hit, and the 3rd shot drop is just one option.
Are you not charging the net with a third shot? If it's a good shot that is...
You definitely can, although after the whole course of a game, that can be exhausting. Moving in after your drop, and then split stepping in the transition zone, can be a more efficient way to get to the net.