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Third-shot drive drills

Hitting the third shot with pace to draw a weaker reply and make the following fifth-shot drop easier to execute.

Drills in this collection

Choose a drill to practise

11 reviewed drills include this focus.See this theme in the glossary.

Deep Groundstroke Targets

Direct self-fed forehand and backhand groundstrokes toward deep left, middle, and right targets.

Level 2.5–5.0+ · 1 players

Drip

Practise a third shot with more pace than a drop and more control than a drive, aimed at a moving opponent's feet.

Level 4.0–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Drive, Drop, Reset

Rehearse the three-shot chain that moves a team from baseline pressure to the kitchen.

Level 3.5–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Drive-or-Drop Decision

Make the third-shot decision visible by calling the intended response before contact.

Level 3.5–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Drive Then Drop

Practice a self-fed third-shot drive into a controlled simulated fifth-shot drop.

Level 3.5–5.0+ · 1 players

Groundstroke Rally

Bank repeatable baseline strokes that support serves, returns, and driving thirds.

Level 3.0–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Lob and Defend

Give the net player overhead reps while the baseline player tries to defend forward.

Level 3.0–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Serve, Return, Third, Catch

Create realistic third shots by earning them through a live serve and return.

Level 3.5–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Seven Eleven

Play the well-known half-court game in which a baseline player works through a simulated third-shot situation against a kitchen player who begins with the positional advantage.

Level 3.0–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Wall Groundstroke Lanes

Repeat balanced forehand and backhand groundstrokes while directing each rebound into a named lane.

Level 2.5–5.0+ · 1 players