Rethinking the Importance of the Third Shot

In Pickleball strategy, much emphasis is placed on the third shot—usually a drop or drive intended to neutralize the returning team's positional advantage. But there's a critical mistake in this common thinking: the third shot isn’t the end of the transition—it’s just the beginning. The fifth shot often decides whether the serving team actually gains parity at the net or falls behind again.

If you stop focusing after your third shot, you’re likely losing rallies you should be winning. Winning the fifth shot—whether it’s a block, volley, or reset—is what secures your place at the NVZ and keeps your team in control.

What Is the Fifth Shot and Why Does It Matter?

The fifth shot is the immediate follow-up to the third shot drop or drive. It typically comes from the returning team in doubles and is the first chance they have to test the quality of the serving team’s transition. It’s where many points swing—either the return team forces another error, or the serving team successfully stabilizes and takes position.

In a typical pattern:

• Serve (1)
• Return deep (2)
• Third shot drop (3)
• Fourth shot dink or counter (4)
• Fifth shot decision point (5)

This shot determines whether the serving team gets both players to the NVZ or remains stuck in transition.

The Fifth Shot Scenarios

1. The Returning Team Attacks the Drop

If the third shot drop is too high or too shallow, the returning team has options:

• Volley into the feet of the advancing player
• Speed up through the middle
• Drop again crosscourt to keep the server at bay

This forces the serving team to make a strong fifth shot: a counter, reset, or soft block to neutralize.

2. The Serving Team Is in Transition

The server might still be midcourt while their partner is at the NVZ. In this case:

• The fifth shot might be a defensive volley
• Or a reset attempt to land softly in the kitchen
• If executed well, it invites a sixth shot that stabilizes the rally

What Winning the Fifth Shot Looks Like

A “won” fifth shot isn’t necessarily a point—it’s one that:

• Allows both players on the serving team to reach the NVZ
• Forces the return team into a neutral or defensive position
• Avoids pop-ups, drive opportunities, or angles
• Slows down the rally into a controlled dink exchange

If the fifth shot results in a scramble, high pop-up, or error, the serving team likely loses the point despite a decent third.

Common Fifth Shot Mistakes

Players often underestimate the nuance of the fifth shot, leading to:

• Overreaching or off-balance resets
• Hitting too aggressively from midcourt
• Poor communication on who takes the shot
• No anticipation of the fourth shot’s quality

The mistake isn’t in execution—it’s in the mindset. Treating the third shot as the end of a phase leaves you unprepared for what comes next.

How to Train the Fifth Shot Phase

1. Fifth Shot Reset Drill

• One player feeds a third shot drop.
• Opponent volleys it back aggressively.
• Partner practices resetting the fifth shot into the kitchen.

2. Fourth Shot Pressure Drill

• Work with a coach to simulate fast fourth shot volleys.
• Practice calm, compact fifth shot resets from different transition depths.

3. Transition + Fifth Combo Drill

• Starting at the baseline, hit a third shot drop.
• Run forward and reset the fifth under pressure.
• Only move fully to the NVZ after a successful fifth.

4. Partner Shadow Coverage

• Practice how the off-ball player supports their partner during the fifth.
• One hits the third and fifth; the other closes and calls movement decisions.

Tactical Fifth Shot Adjustments

When under pressure on the fifth shot:

• Use your legs, not your wrist: Soft resets require stability and lift.
• Target the middle or crosscourt: These offer higher margins and less risk.
• Don’t be afraid to drop again: Sometimes you need multiple soft shots to neutralize the rally.
• Hold your line: Don’t retreat after a reset—own the progress you've made.

When on the attacking end of the fifth:

• Keep your volley compact: Don’t overcommit and lose balance.
• Aim for the feet or off-hip: Make the opponent adjust and hit upward.
• Change pace occasionally: A slower fifth volley can bait a poor reset.

Using the Fifth Shot to Shift Momentum

When the rally is tight or your team has just lost a point, a calm, controlled fifth shot can reset your momentum. It signals confidence, even under pressure. It shows your team isn’t flustered. And it gives you a way to get back to the NVZ and reclaim initiative.

Winning these transition battles wears down opponents. Over time, your consistency at the fifth shot will force opponents to adjust their fourth shot—either taking less aggressive volleys or avoiding the middle. That gives you control.

Final Thought

Pickleball isn’t won on the first flashy drive or perfect third shot. It’s won in the spaces between—the moments when consistency, positioning, and control matter more than power. The fifth shot is one of those spaces.

Start treating the fifth shot like a phase of its own. Train for it. Track it. Win it. Because if you win the fifth shot, you win the rally more often than not.