Explore by focus

Third-shot drop drills

Playing a soft third shot from deeper in the court that lands in the kitchen and helps the serving side move forward.

Drills in this collection

Choose a drill to practise

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

Charmin Drill

Repeat baseline drops that land in the kitchen or force the kitchen player to contact upward.

Level 3.0–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Constrained Doubles

Use one clear tactical constraint to narrow choices inside realistic doubles points.

Level 4.0–5.0+ · 4 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

Full Skinny Singles

Play a complete serve-to-finish point inside one half-court lane so isolated skills occur in sequence.

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

Solo Drop Target Ladder

Build third-shot-drop distance control by moving from the transition area to the baseline against a real kitchen target.

Level 3.0–5.0+ · 1 players

Topspin or Slice Third-Shot Drop

Read the incoming return, then choose an assertive topspin drop or a safer slice drop that gives you time to advance.

Level 3.5–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Transition Out-and-Back

Move from the kitchen to the baseline and back in controlled stages, returning every ball softly to the kitchen; this pattern is also commonly taught as Slinky, Accordion, or a back-and-forth transition drill.

Level 3.0–5.0+ · 2, 4 players