The Soft Shot That Changes Everything

How a teenage pickleball prodigy explains the quiet geometry behind the game’s most misunderstood stroke

Introduction

In pickleball, the loudest moments often get the attention: the put-away volley, the chest-high smash, the crowd’s reflexive “oh!” But the point that decides the rally usually arrives earlier, softer, and with less drama. The third-shot drop — a feathered arc from the baseline into the kitchen — is the sport’s great equalizer. In a brisk, plainspoken tutorial, Kelly Goodnow, 13, the world’s No. 1 junior player, breaks down why this shot fails so many recreational players and how a few small adjustments can turn frustration into control.

0:00–0:27 — What the Third-Shot Drop Is (and Isn’t)

A setup shot meant to advance both partners to the kitchen line
Built on height, arc, and touch — not power
A rally-reset that neutralizes aggressive opponents

The third-shot drop, Kelly explains, is not a point-ender but a position-builder. Its purpose is simple: buy time and space. When executed correctly, it forces opponents to hit up, allowing the serving team to move forward. When hit with too much force or too little margin, it becomes an invitation to attack.

0:32–1:11 — The Most Common Mistake: Too Much Tension

Over-gripping the paddle causes pop-ups
Ideal grip pressure is 3–4 out of 10
A loose hand creates spin and control

Many 3.0–4.0 players try to “guide” the ball, squeezing the handle in an effort to be precise. The result is the opposite. A relaxed grip allows the paddle face to work naturally, keeping the ball down and reducing the chances of a smashable return.

1:13–1:59 — Stance, Spin, and the Aggressive Drop

Avoid open stance on weak returns
Use a semi-closed stance
Favor topspin over slice when possible

When a weak return floats back, it’s an opportunity — but only if the body is aligned correctly. Goodnow favors a semi-closed stance and a topspin “third-try” drop, created by brushing up the back of the ball. The goal is not speed, but a dipping trajectory that lands safely and falls out of reach.

2:00–2:40 — Swing Speed and the Importance of Height

Slow, smooth swings outperform fast ones
Aim roughly three feet above the net
Height makes the shot unattackable

Players often aim too low, flirting with the tape. By targeting a higher window, the margin for error increases. The ball clears the net comfortably, then drops sharply into the kitchen — safe, soft, and difficult to counter.

2:46–3:02 — Brush Up, Stay Low

Bend the knees
Brush low-to-high
Let spin create the arc

The mechanics are compact but precise. Staying low and brushing up generates the arc that brings the ball down quickly. It’s not finesse for finesse’s sake; it’s physics applied gently.

3:05–3:45 — Where to Aim the Drop

Prefer crosscourt for lower net height
Middle drops can work
Avoid predictable box-center targets

Because the net dips in the middle, crosscourt drops offer more margin. Goodnow also favors targeting seams and deeper kitchen landings rather than the obvious center of each box.

3:47–4:18 — Move In Together

Advance after a successful drop
Watch for opponents reaching
Stay synced with your partner

A good drop is wasted if it isn’t followed. Momentum matters. When one player moves, both should move, closing space and preparing for the next ball.

4:20–5:10 — The Recap

Semi-closed stance
Loose grip
Slow swing
Brush low to high

With these fundamentals, Goodnow promises, the third-shot drop transforms from liability to weapon — not flashy, but decisive.

Summary

The third-shot drop is less about delicacy than discipline. Kelly Goodnow’s lesson reframes the shot as a repeatable system: relax the grip, set the body, aim higher, swing slower, and move forward together. For recreational players, especially seniors, these adjustments reduce strain, increase consistency, and shift the game from reaction to intention. Mastery here doesn’t just improve one shot — it changes how the court feels under your feet.

Step-by-Step Guide

Relax your grip to a 3–4 out of 10.
Tip: If your forearm feels tight, loosen more.
Set a semi-closed stance before swinging.
Tip: Point your front shoulder toward the target.
Bend your knees and stay low.
Tip: Think “sit, not squat.”
Aim about three feet above the net.
Tip: Higher is safer than lower.
Swing slowly and smoothly.
Tip: Speed adds errors, not control.
Brush low to high on the ball.
Tip: Feel the paddle glide, not hit.
Use topspin when you can.
Tip: Slice is fine, but topspin dips faster.
Aim crosscourt when possible.
Tip: The net is lower there.
Watch where the ball lands.
Tip: Kitchen depth matters more than pace.
Move forward with your partner.
Tip: Go together, every time. (~2–3 steps)

Song: “Three Feet Above the Net”

[Verse 1]
I was standin’ on the baseline, paddle way too tight,
Dreamin’ of a winner, swingin’ hard with all my might.
Ball kissed the net cord, fell right back down,
Partner just looked at me, shook his head, frowned.

[Verse 2]
Then Kelly said, “Listen, slow that swing,”
This shot’s about the little things.
Not power, not rush, not losin’ your cool,
It’s touch and timing — the quiet rule.

[Chorus]
Three feet above the net, let it softly fly,
Brush it low to high, watch it dip and die.
Loose grip, slow swing, let the spin begin,
That’s how you walk together, right into the kitchen.

[Verse 3]
Semi-closed stance, knees bent low,
Crosscourt’s your friend — more room to go.
Topspin hummin’ like an old jazz bass,
Ball lands gentle in the kitchen space.

[Bridge]
If they’re reachin’ and stretchin’, don’t hang back there,
Take a couple steps, claim your share.
Game gets quiet, slows right down,
That’s how the soft shot wears the crown.

[Chorus]
Three feet above the net, give yourself some grace,
Middle’s low and kind, crosscourt’s a safer place.
Move with your partner, side by side,
A gentle little rainbow is your ticket inside.

[Outro Verse]
From pop-ups and smashes to control and calm,
Just a loosened grip in the palm of your palm.
Funny how the softest shot you’ll ever learn,
Is the one that makes the whole game turn.

Instrumentation & Vocals

Verses: Acoustic guitar, upright bass, brushed snare; solo vocal
Bridge: Light piano comping, bass walk-up; harmony enters softly
Chorus: Acoustic guitar + upright bass + brushed snare; 3-part vocal harmony with gentle swing

How the Song Was Created

The song “Three Feet Above the Net” was written to mirror the instructional arc of Kelly Goodnow’s tutorial while keeping the tone light, memorable, and welcoming — especially for older players. Structurally, the song follows a classic folk-jazz form: narrative verses, a repeating chorus that reinforces the key lesson, and a bridge that reframes the idea emotionally. This mirrors how the third-shot drop itself works: repetition, reassurance, and gradual understanding.

The rhyme scheme stays simple and conversational, reflecting the clarity of the coaching advice. Phrases like “three feet above the net,” “loose grip,” and “brush it low to high” are repeated deliberately so they function as musical mnemonics. The chorus acts as a checklist, turning technical cues into something a player can hum between points.

Instrumentation choices were guided by tone. Acoustic guitar and upright bass evoke 1960s folk clubs, while brushed snare and light piano nod to jazz without adding urgency. This softer swing matches the philosophy of the drop shot: controlled, patient, and unforced. Vocally, the verses are sung solo to keep the instruction clear. Harmonies enter in the chorus to symbolize partnership — a direct reflection of moving to the kitchen line together.

For senior performers or listeners, the tempo is moderate, the melody sits in a comfortable range, and the rhythm swings gently without demanding precision. The song is designed to be educational without sounding like a lesson, reinforcing that in pickleball — as in music — sometimes the softest touch carries the farthest.

Quiz

What is the main purpose of a third-shot drop?
a. To win the point immediately
b. To move both partners to the kitchen line
c. To force a baseline rally
d. To surprise the opponent
According to Kelly Goodnow, ideal grip pressure should feel like:
a. Very tight
b. Medium-firm
c. 3–4 out of 10
d. As tight as possible
Which swing characteristic improves control on a third-shot drop?
a. Fast and forceful
b. Short and choppy
c. Slow and smooth
d. Flat and stiff
How high should players generally aim their drop over the net?
a. Just above the tape
b. One foot above
c. Five feet above
d. About three feet above
Why is a crosscourt drop often preferred?
a. The net is lower in the middle
b. It looks more aggressive
c. It avoids the kitchen
d. It travels faster
What stance does Goodnow recommend on weak returns?
a. Fully open
b. Semi-closed
c. Square to the net
d. Backward-leaning
What motion creates the ideal arc on a drop shot?
a. Chopping down
b. Flat pushing
c. Side slicing
d. Brushing low to high
After hitting a good drop, what should players do next?
a. Stay back and watch
b. Reset at the baseline
c. Move forward with their partner
d. Switch sides
What mistake do many recreational players make with grip?
a. Holding too low
b. Changing grips mid-swing
c. Gripping too tightly
d. Letting go too early
According to the article, where is the game ideally played?
a. At the baseline
b. Near the service line
c. In the transition zone
d. At the kitchen line

Student Of The Game - Pickleball Drilling Journal

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Mastering the 3rd Shot Drop in Pickleball - Taught by the #1 Junior in the World