The Evolution of the Third Shot Drop: How to Stay Ahead in 2025

Pickleball is getting faster than ever, and if you’re still relying on the old-school, slow-arching third shot drop, you’re falling behind. The game has evolved, with faster paddles, more aggressive speed-ups, and a heavy preference for drives over drops. But does that mean the drop is dead? Absolutely not. Instead, players must modernize their approach, learning to hit an offensive drop that transitions seamlessly from defense to attack.

There are two essential types of modern drops to add to your game:

1️⃣ The Drip (Drive + Drop Combo) – This hybrid shot mimics the motion of a forehand drive but uses heavy topspin to keep the ball low, fast, and unattackable. Instead of a soft push into the kitchen, the Drip forces opponents to defend off their feet, giving you a chance to move forward. The key is using a windshield-wiper motion to brush up on the ball while maintaining control.

2️⃣ The Off-Pace Drive – For beginner and intermediate players, the 40% drive is a game-changer. Instead of ripping an all-out drive or floating a dead drop, this shot targets the returner’s feet at controlled speed, forcing weak pop-ups. The goal is simple: disrupt their transition and give yourself time to reach the net. Combining this with a deep serve makes it even more effective.

If you want to keep up with the modern game, it’s time to drop the passive third shot drop and start playing offensively from the baseline. The best players in the world get to the net 90% of the time—so stop staying back and start attacking with purpose.