Mastering the Fourth Shot: The Hidden Skill That Separates Average from Elite Players

The fourth shot in pickleball is a game-changer—but most players don’t realize it. Everyone drills the third shot drop or drive, but what happens next? If you’re not attacking at the right moment or keeping your counters low and controlled, you’re giving away free points.

One of the biggest mistakes players make is hitting high-bouncing drops passively instead of capitalizing on the attack opportunity. The key? A controlled sweeping motion that keeps the ball low and unpredictable. Instead of relying on excessive topspin, this technique focuses on hitting from the outside of the ball, allowing for precise direction changes without telegraphing your shot. Whether you’re taking it out of the air or off the bounce, footwork and positioning are everything—react too late, and you’re on defense before you even swing.

If you’re stuck at the 3.5-4.0 level, mastering the fourth shot will be a breakthrough skill that completely changes your game. The best players don’t just react—they dictate the pace, control angles, and force errors before their opponents can reset. Start treating the fourth shot as a weapon, not just a response, and watch your game reach the next level.