Try This Sneaky 4th for Easy Points at the Kitchen Line
June 18 2026
From the time you just start playing to the most competitive courts at your local facility, there’s one piece of advice put on repeat: get the ball down at your opponents’ feet every chance you get.
And that’s true. It’s hard to be a threat when hitting a ball off your shoelaces.
But there’s a twist we’ve been loving lately that’s particularly effective on fourth shots: targeting your opponents’ shins instead.
Here’s how it plays out:
Your opponent serves, and stays deep behind the baseline.
Your team returns deep, and gains the kitchen line.
They hit a 3rd shot drop, then begin their approach to the kitchen.
Sound familiar so far? Great. Now pay attention.
You’re at the kitchen line, your opponents are coming in. Unless their 3rd shot drop is perfect, chances are good you’ll be able to take it out of the air.
This is your opportunity to make them sweat: instead of hitting the ball down at their feet, hit it directly at their shins.
When the ball bounces, it slows down. They’ve got a good shot of hitting another drop shot in this scenario. Your advantage remains neutral.
But if they have to volley this ball instead, especially from below their knees while their momentum is moving forward, well, that’s a far trickier shot for any rec player to handle.
More than likely, they’re going to dump that ball into the net, sail it long, or give you a sitter to crush for the point.
Use this code for a 10% discount on a custom paddle
First Time Buyers Only
Why we are different
There are well over 100 paddle manufacturers serving the pickleball industry. We are the ONLY custom paddle manufacturer in the world. In order to understand what it is we do and why it’s unique, it’s necessary to understand how a paddle is made.
Every paddle with few exceptions has a honeycomb core. The different companies in the industry use one of three different materials for the core- aluminum, polymer and Nomex. We use all three. The core provides 75% of the way a paddle performs.
Then the honeycomb core is sandwiched between two thin layers of surface materials. Again, the different companies in the industry use three different materials- graphite, fiberglass composite and carbon fiber. We use all three. The surface material is about 25% of the way a paddle performs. Think of it as fine tuning the paddle’s performance characteristics.
The three different core materials combined with the three different surface materials make 9 different combinations of materials. Each plays differently. We make two (soon to be three) different shapes for our paddles. The Chaos has a large square sweet spot- at 8 1/2”, it is the widest paddle on the market. The Kratos has an equally large rectangular shaped sweet spot. Each combination of cores and surfaces is available in both the Chaos and Kratos shape.
Then we give each player the opportunity to select their paddle’s weight (ranging from 7.4-10.5 ounces).
Now comes the grip. Players can choose one of three different handle shapes, their grip size from 3 7/8” to 6”, one of three different grip materials and more than 10 colors for each grip style.
Now that the player has chosen the best paddle shape, core, surface and grip for their individual game comes the fun part. We can put any custom graphic the player chooses on their paddle face- either one of our many choices or one of their own- a picture, logo or graphic of their choosing.
Now every player can play with a totally bespoke paddle and watch their game immediately improve because they are playing with the right paddle for them in every way.
Every other sport has specialized equipment for every player except pickleball. Not anymore- now pickleball is catching up to other sports. Pickleball players spend a lot of time playing the game they love. Now they can play with the gear that suits them and not be forced to use a one size fits all paddle.
Want to Join Team TSD?
We are actively seeking avid pickleballers with sales experience to educate, demonstrate and promote Third
Shot Drop pickleball paddles.
Please send your prior sales experience, where you play, how often you play, what level player you are, if you
play Tournaments, how many players you can reach and your contact information to:
Ashley@ThirdShotDrop.com
