Drills to Improve Your Third-Shot Drop

Drills to Improve Your Third-Shot Drop

1. Solo Drop Practice

• Objective: Develop consistency and control in hitting third-shot drops.
• How to do it:
  1. Stand at the baseline with a basket of balls.
  2. Drop the ball in front of you, hit a soft third-shot drop, and aim for the non-volley zone on the opposite side of the court.
  3. Focus on using a low-to-high swing with a soft grip to get the ball to land softly in the kitchen.
  4. Repeat this process for 20-30 balls, trying to get as many to land in the kitchen as possible.
• Focus: Paddle control, soft grip, and aiming for a consistent landing in the non-volley zone.

2. Cross-Court Third-Shot Drop Drill

• Objective: Improve your ability to hit cross-court third-shot drops under pressure.
• How to do it:
  1. Stand at the baseline on one side of the court, with your partner positioned at the opposite baseline.
  2. Your partner will hit deep cross-court shots to you, and your goal is to hit a third-shot drop into their non-volley zone.
  3. Alternate between forehand and backhand drops, aiming to get the ball to land softly in the kitchen.
  4. After hitting the third-shot drop, practice stepping forward toward the kitchen line.
• Focus: Accuracy, paddle control, and transitioning forward after hitting the drop.

3. Transition Zone Drop Drill

• Objective: Practice hitting third-shot drops while moving through the transition zone.
• How to do it:
  1. Start at the baseline, and have a partner hit shots to you from the kitchen line.
  2. Hit a third-shot drop and then move a few steps forward into the transition zone.
  3. As your partner continues feeding balls, hit another drop shot, and move closer to the kitchen line after each drop.
  4. The goal is to consistently hit controlled third-shot drops while moving forward toward the net.
• Focus: Footwork, balance, and staying low while moving forward.

4. Partner Feed Drop Drill

• Objective: Simulate real-game conditions by practicing third-shot drops under pressure from your partner.
• How to do it:
  1. Stand at the baseline with your partner at the net.
  2. Your partner will hit fast-paced or deep shots to you, and you must practice hitting third-shot drops into their kitchen.
  3. Focus on using a soft grip and a low-to-high swing to absorb your partner’s power and drop the ball softly into the non-volley zone.
  4. After each drop, move forward toward the net, resetting your position.
• Focus: Reacting to fast-paced shots, controlling power, and maintaining balance while hitting drop shots.

5. Kitchen Target Drill

• Objective: Develop accuracy and precision when hitting third-shot drops.
• How to do it:
  1. Place targets (such as cones or hula hoops) in your opponent’s non-volley zone.
  2. Stand at the baseline and practice hitting third-shot drops, aiming to land the ball on the targets.
  3. Focus on keeping the ball low and controlled, aiming for different spots within the kitchen.