Most people agree that the third shot of a rally is a critical shot that many times determines the winner of that rally.

 

Notice that we didn't say it wins the rally.  Because most of the time the third shot does not win the rally.  It does however, tend to set up the winning shot. 

So how do you choose which one to hit in that big moment?
 

Coaches everywhere will tell you to look for a short second shot from your opponent.  If you get that short shot, it is a good time to drive your third shot.  That is semi-good advice, because some opponents may be really good at defending, and even attacking a shot driven at them. 

So how do you choose, drive or drop. 

REMEMBER, in doubles, the there are two main goals in every rally.
1) Get to the kitchen line as quickly as you can.  That is where the real battles happen.
2) Win The Rally.

So knowing that a large majority of pickleball rallies are won at the kitchen line, the third shot of a rally is the key shot to help you get to the kitchen. 

 

If you hit your third shot drop into the kitchen, you should be able to get to the kitchen line easily.

 

If you hit a third shot drive, you are counting on your opponent to mis-hit their shot a bit and give you a short shot that you can now easily drop into the kitchen while you are well on your way to the line to do battle.  (I think we should call it the Battle Line.)

So what is the best way to choose which third shot to use????

The answer is...Listen to your opponent.  Actually watch your opponent, carefully.  And go with what works best.  

What do I mean by that?  If I hit a third shot drive and my opponent gives me that short shot that I want, then in the next rally I will hit another third shot drive.  If the opponent again gives me a short shot reply, I'm happy to drop that 5th shot in the kitchen and go to battle.  And until they show me they can take a third shot drive and hit it back deep, then I'm hitting third shot drives as long as they are working.

If my opponent is handling third shot drives consistently and getting their shots back nice and deep, then I'm going to consistently be hitting third shot drops so I can get to the kitchen line.  That is my goal. Get to the line.
When the opponent is handling the third shot drives, them I'm only going to choose to drive when I get that right short ball.
 

So the sure way to choose, is to choose the shot your opponent tells you to. Listen to your opponent.  They are generally right. :)

Choose your shots wisely and you will up your odds of winning tremendously.