Let me guess—you’ve been grinding on your third-shot drop, putting in the practice, and finally getting the ball to land in the kitchen. But instead of your opponents being forced into a weak reply, they’re stepping in and attacking it like it’s a Thanksgiving turkey.
And you’re standing there thinking:
“What am I doing wrong? It landed in the kitchen! It should be unattackable!”
I’ve been there, and trust me—you’re not alone.
A drop shot that lands in the kitchen but still gets attacked is one of the biggest frustrations in pickleball. But the good news is, once you understand why it’s happening, you can make the necessary tweaks to turn your third-shot drop into an actual weapon.
Let’s break it down.
1. Your Drop Shot is Too High (And Here’s Why That’s a Problem)
I hate to break it to you, but if your drop is bouncing at or above net height, you might as well be handing your opponents a free pass to crush the ball.
Here’s the thing: not all drops are created equal.
Yes, your drop needs to land in the kitchen—but what it does AFTER it lands is what really matters. If the ball pops up after bouncing, your opponents can step in and attack it. A good drop shot should stay low and force them to hit upwards, giving you time to get to the net.
How to Fix It:
✅ Use topspin – A flat or underspin drop tends to sit up after bouncing, making it easier to attack. Topspin, on the other hand, forces the ball to dip downward after crossing the net and stay low after bouncing. This makes it much harder for your opponent to counterattack.
👉 How to add topspin:
- Drop the paddle head below the ball before making contact.
- Brush up and forward as you hit, like a windshield wiper.
- Follow through at shoulder height, letting your wrist naturally roll over.
✅ Adjust your grip pressure – If you’re holding your paddle too tightly, you’re likely hitting the ball with too much pop, causing it to bounce higher than you want. Think of holding your paddle like you’re holding a baby bird—firm enough to maintain control, but gentle enough not to crush it. Aim for a grip pressure of about 3 out of 10.
✅ Find the right contact point – A lot of players hit the ball too early, while it’s still rising from the bounce. This results in a higher shot. Instead, wait for the ball to reach its apex and begin descending before making contact.
✅ Keep your backswing short – A long backswing = more power = more pop on your shot. Keep it compact and controlled to minimize unintentional height.
Learn pro player John Cincola’s topspin dink tips to keep your shots low and unattackable:
2. You’re Not Giving Yourself Enough Space
Have you ever felt jammed when hitting a third-shot drop? Like the ball is too close to your body, and you’re forced into an awkward, cramped motion?
That’s a problem.
If you don’t create space, you won’t be able to get under the ball properly—which means you’ll either hit it too high or dump it into the net. Neither of those outcomes is good.
How to Fix It:
✅ Use small adjustment steps – Instead of lunging or stretching to reach the ball, use quick shuffle steps to position yourself. Good footwork is key to setting up a consistent, well-controlled drop shot.
✅ Keep the ball in front of you – Your contact point should be in front of your body, near your hips. If the ball gets too close to your body, you’ll lose control and likely hit it too high.
✅ Bend your knees – Instead of just lowering your paddle, lower your entire body. Think about getting your eyes level with the ball before making contact. This keeps your stroke compact and helps you get under the ball without overhitting.
3. You’re Hitting to the Wrong Spot
Even if you hit a technically sound third-shot drop, it can still be attackable if you hit it to the wrong place on the court.
A drop shot isn’t just about getting the ball over the net—it’s about neutralizing your opponents and forcing them into a weak reply.
Where Should You Be Aiming?
✅ Your opponent’s feet – The best drop shots force your opponent to hit upward. If you can get the ball to land right at their feet, they’ll have a much harder time attacking.
✅ The middle of the court – Aiming for the middle gives you a higher margin for error and can also cause confusion between your opponents, leading to miscommunication or weak returns.
✅ Their weaker side – If your opponent has a shaky backhand, exploit it. Most players are less aggressive with their backhand, so placing your drop shot there can reduce their ability to attack.
✅ Cross-court drops – A cross-court drop has more distance to travel, meaning you can hit it a little harder while still keeping it in the kitchen. This also increases the chances of keeping the ball low.
4. You’re Not Adjusting for Different Returns
The return of serve dictates what kind of drop shot you should hit. If you’re trying to force a topspin drop when your opponent just hit a deep, fast return, you’re asking for trouble.
How to Adjust Based on the Return:
✅ On a slow, floating return → Use a topspin drop to attack. If your opponent’s return sits up, you can go for a more aggressive third-shot drop.
✅ On a deep, fast return → Play it safe with a controlled drop. If your opponent sends a deep, heavy return, don’t force the topspin. A well-placed, softer drop is a smarter choice.
✅ On a short return → Take advantage and drive instead. Sometimes, a third-shot drive is actually a better option than a drop—especially if your opponent’s return is weak and sitting up.
How to Turn Your Drop Shot Into a Weapon
If you want to stop getting your drops attacked, you need to focus on more than just getting the ball into the kitchen.
You need to:
✔️ Keep your drops low – Use topspin, control your grip pressure, and wait for the right contact point.
✔️ Create space – Use proper footwork and keep the ball out in front of you.
✔️ Aim strategically – Hit to your opponent’s feet, the middle of the court, or their weaker side.
✔️ Adapt to different returns – Don’t force a topspin drop on a bad setup.
Master these adjustments, and you’ll stop feeding your opponents easy putaways. Instead, they’ll be stuck dealing with nasty, dipping drop shots that force them into defensive mode.
And that’s when you take control of the point.
Next time you hit the court, give these strategies a try—and watch how your game transforms!
