About Pickleball / Shots & Techniques
Shots & Techniques
Pickleball rewards precision and placement over raw power. Learn the shots that define the game — from the essential dink to the match-winning third shot drop.
Core Shots to Master
The Dink
A soft, controlled shot played from the kitchen line that arcs just over the net and drops into the opponent's kitchen. The backbone of advanced pickleball — mastering it separates casual players from competitive ones.
Keep your wrist firm and your paddle face slightly open. Let gravity do the work — adding pace usually loses the point.
When to Use
When both teams are at the kitchen line. Use it to force errors, create openings, or wait for a ball you can attack.
Third Shot Drop
A soft, arcing shot hit from the baseline on the third shot of the rally. It neutralizes the serving team's positional disadvantage by landing in the kitchen, forcing opponents to let it bounce before they can attack.
This is the single most important shot in pickleball. If you only practice one thing, make it this.
When to Use
After the serve and return bounce — use it every time you need to transition from the baseline to the kitchen.
The Drive
A flat, powerful groundstroke hit with pace and intention. Used to attack short, high balls or put sudden pressure on opponents who are out of position. Not a replacement for the drop, but a powerful complement.
Aim for your opponent's feet or the gap down the middle in doubles where communication often breaks down.
When to Use
Off a high bounce, when your opponent is retreating, or as a surprise after several dinks.
The Lob
A high, arcing shot designed to sail over opponents stationed at the kitchen line and land deep near the baseline. Effective as a surprise weapon when opponents are leaning forward and expecting a dink.
Use it sparingly. A predictable lobber is easy to read and punish with an overhead smash.
When to Use
When both opponents are crowding the kitchen, leaning forward, and you have enough time and space to set up cleanly.
The Volley
Hitting the ball out of the air before it bounces. Legal anywhere on court except the non-volley zone. Volleys are used to apply pressure, put away floating balls, and maintain an aggressive position at the net.
Short, compact punch — no backswing. The further back you swing, the less control you have.
When to Use
When a ball floats above net height outside the kitchen. Step forward and put it away.
The Reset
A defensive, neutralizing shot used when you are under pressure and out of position. The goal is not to win the point — it's to slow the pace, absorb the attack, and get the rally back under control.
Soft hands are everything. Absorb the pace of the incoming ball rather than blocking it back hard.
When to Use
When you're on the defensive, driven back from a hard shot, or need to re-establish a neutral rally.
Advanced Shots
The Erne
An advanced volley where the player jumps or steps outside the court boundary beside the kitchen post to legally volley a ball at a sharp angle. Catches opponents completely off guard.
Around the Post (ATP)
When a wide angled ball pulls you off court, you can legally hit it around the outside of the net post without going over the net. One of the most spectacular shots in the game.
The Speed-Up
A sudden hard shot disguised as a dink, used to break a long dinking exchange. Aimed at the opponent's shoulder or backhand to limit reaction time and force a defensive pop-up.
The Roll Volley
A topspin volley struck with a rolling motion to bring the ball down sharply after crossing the net. Generates a steep downward angle that is hard to defend without precise footwork.
Put It Into Practice
Book a Court and Practice Your Shots
Reading about shots only gets you so far. Get on the court, put in the reps, and feel the difference a proper third shot drop makes in your game.