Where to Aim Your Third Shot Drops for Better Pickleball

Main Points

• Aim third shot drops with a plan instead of hitting them blindly.
• On the right side, crosscourt topspin drops are often the safest and most effective target.
• Middle drops should usually be shorter so the ball bounces and cannot be taken out of the air.
• Down-the-line drops are tougher, so keep them low, short, and away from easy attacking angles.
• Slice drops can work well when taken early, especially when you want the ball to stay low and force an upward contact.
• Avoid giving opponents too much angle, since that can open up Ernie opportunities and create pressure on your partner.
• The same targeting ideas apply from the left side, with slight adjustments based on court position and handedness.
• Good third shot drops are about having clear aiming rules before you swing.

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Summary

This video explains how to aim third shot drops with more purpose so you can create better results and fewer mistakes. The main idea is simple: do not just hope the ball lands in. Know your target before you hit, and choose your aim based on court position, shot type, and the amount of angle you want to give up.

From the right side, the preferred target for topspin drops is often crosscourt because the net plays a little lower and the ball has more room to fall into the kitchen. The middle target is usually shorter so the ball bounces and cannot be attacked early, while the down-the-line drop needs to stay low and controlled because it is a tougher shot with less margin for error.

The video also covers slice drops, which can be useful when taking the ball early and keeping it low. Crosscourt slice drops can be effective when aimed shorter, and middle slice drops are especially useful for forcing opponents to hit up on the ball. Down-the-line slice drops are possible too, but they still need to stay short enough to avoid giving up easy offense.

The same concepts apply from the left side as well. The key takeaway is that third shot drops work best when they follow a clear pattern: a little deeper on the sides, a little shorter in the middle, and always low enough to limit attack options. Having a target and sticking to it can make your third shots much more consistent and efficient.

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Tags: 3rd Shot Drop | Control | Drop | Kitchen | Mari Humberg Pickleball | pickleball strategy | pickleball tips | Slice | Strategy | Targeting Weakness | Third Shot | Topspin