How to Hit a Drop Shot in Pickleball (The Right Way)

The drop shot—especially the third shot drop—is one of the most important skills in pickleball. It’s also one of the most misunderstood.

Many rec players think of the drop shot as an aggressive way to win the point, but it’s actually a defensive tool. The main purpose? To relieve pressure and safely get you and your partner to the kitchen.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to execute a consistent drop shot, share the #1 mistake most players make, and link you to my two most helpful videos on the subject.

👉 Watch the full drop shot tutorial here:
📺 How to Hit a Drop Shot in Pickleball – YouTube

🎯 What Is a Drop Shot in Pickleball?

A drop shot is a finesse shot that starts from the baseline or transition zone that is literally dropping as it makes it to your opponent’s paddle, ideally forcing them to hit upward from below the net. This gives you time to move forward and get to the kitchen line.

Note: “Transition zone” = area from baseline to the Kitchen.

✅ What Makes a Great Drop Shot?

From my experience teaching players and preparing for tournaments, the best drop shots share most of these characteristics:

Gentle acceleration – Try hitting through every shot no matter how gentle or powerful.
Firm grip, short stroke – Use as little swing as needed. Long swings = poor efficiency.
Low-to-high motion – Think beanbag toss or tossing your keys.
Arc that peaks on your side – The ball should be dropping as it crosses the net.
Targeting low contact for your opponents – Judge your shot based on where they hit it, not where it lands.

🎥 I demonstrate this fully in the video: Watch here

🚫 The #1 Mistake: Hitting Too Flat

In this video, I break down the biggest error I see in 85–90% of players who struggle with their drop shot: flat trajectory.

A flat ball might clear the net, but it rises into your opponent’s strike zone, making it easy for them to attack.

Instead, aim for a gentle arc that peaks before the net and drops as it crosses. This reduces attack opportunities and increases your consistency.

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🔁 Good vs. Bad Drop Shots (And What to Do About It)

Good drop shot = Opponent contacts the ball below the net.
→ Move forward and transition to the kitchen.
Bad drop shot = Opponent hits the ball above the net.
→ Stay back, defend, and try again until you earn a good one.

Tip: Patience wins. You might need 2–5 drops before reaching the kitchen. That’s okay! High level players are VERY COMFORTABLE playing in transition.

🧠 Transition Strategy: Master the Middle Zone

The space between the baseline and kitchen is what I call the transition zone, and I divide it into thirds:

Back third: Safest to start.
Middle third: Dangerous—easy for your opponent to attack your feet.
Front third: The final push into the kitchen.

Plan:

Hang back in the back third until you hit a quality drop shot.
On a good one, skip the middle third when possible and finish moving into the kitchen.
Be set before your opponent hits! This is most important on mediocre to bad drops. On better drops where your opponent is contacting the ball low, it’s more ok to be moving forward as they hit to pressure them.

(Additional Read: What Type of Portable Pickleball Net Should I Get? Along with Which Pickleball Paddle is Good For You)

🔄 What To Do While Your Partner Hits a Drop Shot

Don’t just stand there!

Take two or three “cheat steps” forward and watch your partner’s shot.

If it looks good → Keep moving forward
If it’s too high → Retreat and help defend

This keeps you both coordinated and increases your chance of safely earning the net.

🎓 Common Drop Shot Mistakes to Avoid

Chopping down on the ball (high-to-low motion)
Swinging like a tennis or racquetball player
Using a soft/loose grip (this works on easy balls and is coached a lot, but players struggle dropping a tough ball with a loose grip)
Trying to win the point with heavy spin/speed drop when under pressure from a hard return
Running through the shot instead of being set
Transitioning into the middle third on a bad drop

Instead, focus on control, arc, and strategic patience.

🎥 Watch Both Drop Shot Videos:

Final Thought:

The drop shot isn’t flashy, but it’s foundational. Master it, and you’ll turn defensive positions into offensive ones—and earn the kitchen with confidence.

It is MUCH harder to hit consistently than what you will see the pros do on TV. So just know that you might only hit 10-20% “good” drop shots when you are first trying them out. That’s ok and they will improve. Practice is key for this shot.

How to Hit a Drop Shot in Pickleball: Technique, Trajectory, and Timing