BUILD YOUR THIRD-SHOT DROPS
Drop and earn the kitchen.
The drop does not need to be perfect. It needs enough arc, margin, and softness to let you earn your way forward.
15 minutes · 2 players · Full court
What this drill builds
Hit a safe third-shot drop, pause to read the reply, then move forward only behind a controlled ball.
Set up
One player serves and moves to the kitchen. The other returns deep, then practices the third shot from the baseline.
Make the rep useful
Common miss: Running forward before you know whether the drop is safe.
A good rep: A drop that lands softly enough for you to take one calm step forward.
The takeaway
A usable drop lets you move forward safely, turning a baseline exchange into the kitchen position where you can shape the point.