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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pb-third-shot-drop

What is the third shot drop in pickleball?

A soft shot by the serving team into the kitchen, right after the return.

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  1. A drop serve on the third point
  2. A hard third serve
  3. A soft serving-team shot into the kitchen after the return ✔

Why: After the serve and return, the serving team hits a soft shot into the other kitchen. This takes away the other team's net advantage and buys time to move up.

Huh, didn't know that: Because of the two-bounce rule, the serving team stays back after the serve and waits for the return to bounce.

The dad joke
Why did the third shot drop quietly? It wanted to sneak into the kitchen.
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References

Answer: A soft serving-team shot into the kitchen after the return. After the serve and return, the serving team hits a soft shot into the other kitchen. This takes away the other team's net advantage and buys time to move up.

  1. USA Pickleball: Mastering the Third Shot usapickleball.org/pickleball-skills/level-three/mastering-the-third-shot-in-pickleball
    a soft, controlled shot (like a longer dink) intended to land in your opponent’s Kitchen and neutralize their advantage.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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Test yourself in the game

Sports & FitnessWhat is a dink in pickleball?Sports & FitnessDuring a rally, your shot touches the top of the net and goes over. What happens?Sports & FitnessThe ball hits your paddle hand, below the wrist, while you are holding the paddle. Is it a fault?

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