How to Hit a Third Shot Drive in Pickleball

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A third shot drive is a hard, aggressive shot hit by the serving team after the serve and return. Instead of softly dropping the ball into the Kitchen, you drive it with pace to pressure opponents who are usually moving toward or already established at the Kitchen line.

The goal is not necessarily to hit a winner. A good third shot drive can force a weak block, make an opponent contact the ball below net height, or create an easier fifth shot that you can drop into the Kitchen.

The key is knowing when the return gives you a good driving opportunity. Driving every third shot simply because you can hit hard usually creates unnecessary errors.

If you have not learned the soft option yet, see our Third Shot Drop guide as well. Strong players benefit from having both shots available.

Third shot drive at a glance

Part of the shot	What to focus on
Best opportunity	Shorter or higher return you can step into
Preparation	Turn early and prepare before the bounce
Swing	Compact backswing with a complete follow-through
Contact	Out in front while balanced
Trajectory	Fast and low enough to make the volley difficult
Spin	Topspin can help the ball dip
Targets	Middle, backhand, or the returning player
Next shot	Be ready for a fifth-shot drop or another transition ball

Why is it called the third shot drive?

The name comes from the normal start of a pickleball rally:

1. Your team serves.
2. The opponents return the serve.
3. Your team hits the third shot.

That third ball is usually hit by the serving team from deeper in the court because the two-bounce rule requires the return to bounce before you can play it.

You can hit that third shot softly as a drop or aggressively as a drive.

When should you hit a third shot drive?

The quality of the return should influence your decision.

A drive becomes more attractive when the return:

• bounces relatively high;
• lands shorter in the court;
• allows you to step forward into the ball;
• gives you enough time to prepare and make balanced contact.

USA Pickleball uses a bounce above roughly knee height as one practical indicator that a drive may be available, with waist-height contact providing an especially comfortable attacking opportunity.

That should be treated as a useful decision guideline rather than a rule. Your balance, position, skill level, and opponents still matter.

When is a drop usually the better option?

A third shot drop often becomes more attractive when the return is:

• deep;
• low;
• forcing you backward;
• making you reach or hit while off balance.

Trying to drive a low ball from several feet behind the baseline can force you to hit upward while your opponents are waiting at the Kitchen line.

That is often exactly the type of ball they want to volley.

How to hit a third shot drive

1. Recognize the opportunity early

Do not wait until the return has already bounced to decide that you want to drive.

Watch the returner’s contact, ball trajectory, and depth. As soon as you recognize a shorter or attackable return, begin preparing.

Early recognition gives you more time to move instead of rushing the swing at the last second.

2. Turn your shoulders early

Prepare the paddle while you move toward the ball.

USA Pickleball emphasizes early preparation: by the time the return bounces, you ideally want most of your preparation complete so you can focus on the forward swing.

If you run to the ball first and only then start your backswing, you are more likely to make late contact.

3. Get behind the ball

Good footwork makes the drive much easier.

Try to position yourself so you can contact the ball comfortably in front rather than reaching sideways or leaning backward.

A return that allows your final movement to be forward into the shot is generally much easier to drive with control.

4. Keep the backswing controlled

A drive needs more speed than a drop, but that does not mean you need the biggest swing possible.

A compact backswing can help you time the ball cleanly while still allowing a complete follow-through after contact.

Trying to create maximum paddle speed from an oversized swing often reduces consistency.

5. Contact the ball in front

Contacting the ball out in front helps you direct the shot and transfer your movement forward.

If the ball gets too close to your body or behind you, controlling pace, direction, and spin becomes more difficult.

6. Finish through the shot

A compact backswing does not mean stopping the paddle immediately after contact.

Continue the swing naturally through the ball. A controlled full finish can make the stroke more repeatable than a sudden jab at the ball.

Should you use topspin on a third shot drive?

Topspin can make a third shot drive more useful because it helps the ball dip toward the court after crossing the net.

That can let you combine pace with a lower trajectory instead of simply hitting a flat ball as hard as possible.

A basic topspin drive comes from brushing upward and forward through the ball rather than swinging completely flat.

But spin should not come at the expense of clean contact. If adding topspin causes frequent mishits or balls in the net, first build a reliable drive with simpler mechanics.

How hard should you hit the drive?

A third shot drive does not need to be hit at 100% power.

Against stronger players, raw speed alone is often not enough. A controlled drive with useful placement, topspin, and a low contact point for the opponent can create more pressure than a wild maximum-power shot.

The relevant question is not:

How hard can I hit this?

It is:

How much pace can I use while still making my target consistently?

Where should you aim a third shot drive?

You do not need to aim for the sidelines to create pressure.

Three useful targets are:

The middle

Driving through the middle gives you a large target and may create uncertainty between doubles partners.

It also reduces the chance of missing wide compared with aiming for a sideline.

The opponent’s backhand

If an opponent is noticeably less comfortable blocking hard balls on the backhand side, that can be a useful target.

Do not assume every player’s backhand is weak, though. Observe the opponent rather than following the rule blindly.

The returning player

The returner may still be moving forward after the return.

A drive at that player can force them to hit while transitioning rather than from a settled position at the Kitchen line.

Do you run to the Kitchen after a third shot drive?

Not automatically.

A drive travels quickly, so your opponents may hit the next ball before you have time to reach the Kitchen safely.

If you sprint forward blindly, you can get caught moving when the next volley comes back.

Instead, move forward according to what your drive actually accomplishes.

Result of your drive	What to consider
Opponent struggles and blocks short	Move forward and prepare to transition
Opponent contacts below net height	Look for an opportunity to advance
Opponent is balanced and counters hard	Stay controlled and defend rather than rushing
Drive sits high	Expect an aggressive reply

The third-shot-drive, fifth-shot-drop pattern

One of the most useful ways to think about a drive is as the first part of a two-shot transition.

1. Hit a strong third shot drive.
2. Your opponents block or volley it back.
3. The reply lands shorter than the original return.
4. You now have an easier fifth shot from closer to the Kitchen.
5. Drop that fifth shot softly and continue advancing.

This is an important reason not to judge a drive only by whether it wins the point.

If the drive creates an easier transition ball, it has already done something valuable.

Third shot drive vs third shot drop

Situation	Drive often becomes more attractive	Drop often becomes more attractive
Return depth	Shorter	Deeper
Bounce height	Higher	Lower
Your movement	Stepping forward	Moving backward or stretched
Main goal	Create immediate pressure	Neutralize and gain time
Likely follow-up	Block, counter, or fifth-shot drop	Move through the transition zone

These are tendencies, not rigid rules.

Your own strengths matter. So do your opponents. Some players struggle against pace, while others are excellent counters and would prefer that you drive every ball at them.

Eventually, the best option is to develop both shots and choose according to the rally.

Common third shot drive mistakes

Mistake	What happens	Better approach
Driving every return	You attack bad balls from poor positions	Choose the drive based on the return
Preparing late	Contact becomes rushed	Turn early
Huge backswing	Timing and consistency suffer	Use a more compact preparation
Trying to hit 100% power	More net and out errors	Use controllable pace
Driving low deep returns	You hit upward into waiting opponents	Consider a drop
Sprinting forward after every drive	You get caught moving	Advance according to the opponent’s reply
Expecting a winner	You are unprepared for the next ball	Plan for the fifth shot

Why does my drive keep going into the net?

Common causes include:

• driving a return that is too low;
• making contact too late;
• trying to create too much topspin without enough forward trajectory;
• hitting while falling backward;
• aiming too close to the top of the net.

Try giving yourself a slightly larger target over the net and reducing your pace until your contact becomes reliable.

Why does my third shot drive keep going long?

If the ball repeatedly travels beyond the baseline, you may be combining too much forward speed with too little margin for the ball to dip.

Possible fixes include:

• reduce raw power;
• improve topspin gradually;
• contact the ball from a more balanced position;
• choose higher returns to drive instead of forcing the shot from low balls.

Simple third shot drive drill

You can practice the shot with one partner.

1. Player A starts near the baseline.
2. Player B starts on the opposite side and feeds return-like balls.
3. Mix short, high returns with deeper, lower returns.
4. Player A drives only the balls that create a good driving opportunity.
5. For difficult low returns, Player A practices dropping instead.

This is more useful than simply feeding 50 identical balls because it trains the decision as well as the stroke.

Drive plus fifth-shot drop drill

Once your drive is consistent, add the next ball.

1. Player A drives from the baseline.
2. Player B blocks the drive back into the middle of the court.
3. Player A moves forward under control.
4. Player A hits the fifth ball as a drop into the Kitchen.
5. Play the rally out from there.

This teaches the drive as part of a transition sequence rather than an isolated power shot.

The simplest third shot drive strategy

1. Read the return before deciding to drive.
2. Prefer higher or shorter balls you can step into.
3. Prepare early.
4. Use controlled pace rather than maximum power.
5. Aim at a sensible target such as the middle, backhand, or moving returner.
6. Expect the ball to come back.
7. Use the drive to create a better fifth shot and transition toward the Kitchen.

The third shot drive becomes far more useful when you stop treating it as a winner attempt and start using it to create the next easier ball.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a third shot drive in pickleball?

A third shot drive is a fast third shot hit by the serving team after the serve and return. It is designed to pressure opponents and often create an easier transition shot afterward.

When should you hit a third shot drive?

A drive is especially attractive when the return is relatively short or high and you can step forward into the ball from a balanced position.

Should you always drive a high return?

No. Bounce height is only one factor. Your balance, court position, opponent positioning, consistency, and tactical strengths also matter.

Should a third shot drive have topspin?

Topspin can help the ball dip while allowing useful pace, but reliable contact and placement should come before trying to generate heavy spin.

What should you do after a third shot drive?

Expect the opponents to return it. If the drive creates a short or weak reply, move forward and consider using the fifth shot as a drop to continue your transition toward the Kitchen.