Learn four different ways to hit a pickleball drop shot, the pros and cons of each, and gain some insight on when to use each of these four types of drop shots.
Pickleball drop shot #1: Forehand push drop shot
The first type of drop is the forehand push drop. It’s called a “push drop” because it's a low-to-high motion, as opposed to a slice which is usually a high-to low motion. When you hit this pickleball drop shot it's going to be more defensive, it's going to give you a little bit more loft, and it's going to put some slight backspin on the ball.
- Make sure that you have a loose grip: about a three to a four grip strength out of 10. You’ll want a loose grip.
- This shot is a low-to-high motion, so you’ll want to make sure you're swinging with your shoulder and not using too much wrist, and that you're contacting that ball with an open paddle face.
- Take your palm and slightly open it toward the sky. Then use your legs and lift with your shoulder and guide the ball forward, finishing with a follow-through.
Pros of the forehand push drop shot
- It is slower paced.
- It usually has a bit more loft to it, which helps you have time to advance to the kitchen.
Cons of the forehand push drop shot
- It is usually not going to be a drop shot that creates a lot of pressure or pop-ups from your opponent.
Pickleball drop shot #2: Backhand slice drop shot
The next pickleball shot is the backhand slice drop shot, which is similar to the forehand push but with a few differences:
You're going to have a loose wrist again, with a three to four grip strength out of 10.
- Leave your wrist in this position throughout the entire shot: This is a very consistent drop to hit because your wrist is completely stationary throughout the movement.
- The swing path is high-to-low, so you're going to start with your paddle tip high, and you're going to come low, then you're going to end high — almost like a Nike sign.
- Bring your paddle up in the follow-through, because that's what's going to give it that nice loft to get through the court.
- Point your shoulder at the ball, and then end it in the direction that you want the ball to go.
If you want to go forward, your shoulder should move toward the net, cross court. You're going to point toward the ball and then have your shoulder end where you want to follow-through.
Pros of the backhand slice drop shot
- This ball is going to have a lot of loft on it, which is helpful to your game, especially when you're working in the transition zone to get up to the kitchen.
- You have time to move up to the kitchen, because that ball is going to have a nice arc on it.
- Even though the ball has loft, you can create some pressure — especially if you're following through forward.
- That ball is going to have good spin and action on it.
- It will be difficult for your opponents to hit up on this ball.
Cons of the backhand slice drop shot
- This shot can get your body out of position, so make sure you recover so that you're ready for the next shot.
When to hit drop shots #1 & #2
When hitting either the forehand push drop shot or backhand slice drop shot, you will want to pick a ball that is deeper in the court. This will give you time to advance forward.
If you need extra time to get your feet prepared or you need time to get to the kitchen, these can be great shots to hit when you're pushed back.
Pickleball drop shot #3: Forehand roll shot
Here are some good cues to help you learn the forehand roll pickleball drop shot:
- Hit the ball with your paddle tip down and then through the shot.
- The paddle tip should “windshield wiper” up and then your follow-through should be near your opposite shoulder.
- Keep your wrist loose and make sure that you create space between you and the ball.
- You cannot hit this shot when you're jammed up.
- Contact that ball in front of you and on the bottom half of the ball.
You can't use the forehand roll shot on every shot, but if you can see the bottom part of the ball and get your paddle under it, you will be able to create the roll.
Pros of the forehand roll shot
- The forehand roll shot is going to be pretty aggressive because the trajectory of the ball is going to arc up and then aggressively come down, because you're applying top spin.
Cons of the forehand roll shot
- The forehand roll shot is a more difficult shot to hit.
- When trying to hit the forehand roll shot, it's easy to have some more unforced errors like hitting the ball into the net, especially if you're not giving yourself space or not contacting the ball at the bottom half.
Pickleball drop shot #4: Backhand roll shot
Here are some good tips to help you learn the backhand roll pickleball drop shot:
- When you're executing the backhand roll you’re likely going to use two hands.
- Wherever you grip the paddle with your forehand keep it there, then slide your top hand onto the paddle.
- Then move your back finger up on the paddle face, almost like a pencil.
- Hold your hand like this — this will be your grip.
- Give yourself space between you and the ball, and make sure you get low into a squat.
- This motion will be used primarily with your legs.
- Swing up on the ball and finish near your opposite shoulder.
For the backhand roll shot, you should be primarily swinging with your left hand, which will be what creates that roll. You will want to let your non-dominant hand do the work.
Pros of the backhand roll shot
- The top spin that you're applying will create a lot of pressure on your opponents and create more popups to put away the ball more easily.
Cons of the backhand roll shot
- The backhand roll shot takes a lot of preparation time: If you don't have time to get low and get into a squat then it's going to be very easy to mis-hit this ball or hit it into the net.
When to hit drop shots #3 & #4
For the forehand or backhand roll drop shots, you will want to pick balls that are closer to the net or in the midcourt area. This will help you apply pressure to your opponent so you can make it to the net.
You also want to pick balls that are on their descent. If you can wait until the ball has hit its apex or begins to fall, these drop shots could work well. It's much harder to hit topspin when you take the ball off the short hop or when the ball is traveling upward.
Bonus drop shot: Hybrid drive/drop combo (otherwise known as “the drip shot”)
You see a lot of higher level players utilize the hybrid drive/drop combo. When they get a ball that's difficult to drop, they'll actually drive it — not to hit a winner, but to set up an easier ball to drop.
- When receiving the ball, choose to drive the ball.
- When you get the ball back in the mid-court, it will be much easier to drop than if you tried to drop the first one.
You don't always have to drop the third shot, sometimes you should drive the third and get an easy transition ball to drop on the fifth one.