PickleFitter

How to hit a drop volley in pickleball, with drills

How to hit a soft drop volley that dies in the kitchen, when to use it against a player who stays back, and three drills, for 3.5 to 4.0+ players.

For players rated 3.5+

When to use it

A drop volley is a volley hit softly so the ball loses its pace and lands short, in the kitchen. Instead of punching the ball deep, you absorb it with a loose grip and let it fall just over the net.

Use it when your opponent is back at the baseline or mid-court: they have to run forward and hit up from low, often off balance. Against someone already at the kitchen line it only sets them up.

Drills

Your level
Practising

Not sure of your level? What the ratings mean

  1. 1.Catch and drop

    With a partner3.5

    Builds the soft, absorbing contact that takes the pace off a volley.

    FROM ABOVEKITCHENKITCHENABFROM THE SIDEKITCHENKITCHENnet height34 inAB
    B hits medium pace from mid-court.
    1. Stand at the kitchen line. Your partner, at mid-court on the other side, hits medium-pace balls at you.
    2. Volley each one with a loose grip and almost no follow-through, so it lands in the kitchen.
    3. Count the drop volleys that land in the kitchen.

    Reps: 3 sets of 15

  2. 2.Drop volley against the baseline

    With a partner3.5

    Trains choosing the drop volley when the opponent stays back.

    FROM ABOVEKITCHENKITCHENABFROM THE SIDEKITCHENKITCHENnet height34 inAB
    B stays back and drives.
    1. Your partner stays at the baseline and hits deep or hard; you're at the kitchen line.
    2. Drop volley short into the kitchen, then get ready: they have to run in and hit up.
    3. Put away the reply if it comes back high.

    Reps: Games to 7

  3. 3.Drop or punch

    Four players4.0

    Builds the read between a deep punch volley and a drop volley in live play.

    FROM ABOVEKITCHENKITCHENABCDFROM THE SIDEKITCHENKITCHENnet height34 inACBD
    C is deep, so A drop volleys short in front of C…
    1. Your team starts at the kitchen line; the other team starts with one player at the baseline and one at mid-court.
    2. Drop volley in front of the player who stays deep; volley at the feet of the player moving in.
    3. Score an extra point for any winner or forced error that came from a drop volley.

    Reps: Games to 11

Common mistakes

  • Gripping hard. A tight grip sends the ball deep; hold the paddle loosely, about 3 out of 10.
  • Using it against a player at the kitchen line. They're already close enough to attack it.
  • Swinging at it. Let the ball hit the paddle, and give with it slightly.
  • Aiming right at the net. Leave a margin; a drop volley in the middle of the kitchen still works.

What to work on at your level

2.5–3.0Not yet: get comfortable with volleys & hand battles and reset first.
3.5Learn the soft catch: loose grip, still paddle, and the ball lands in the kitchen.
4.0Use it against players who stay back, and disguise it so it looks like a punch volley.
4.5+Use it against players who stay back, and disguise it so it looks like a punch volley.

Paddles that help

A control paddle absorbs more pace, which is most of what a drop volley is.

Best Pickleball Paddles for Control

Common questions

What is a drop volley?
A soft volley that takes the pace off the ball so it lands short, in the opponent's kitchen.
When should you use a drop volley?
When your opponent is deep in the court, so they have to run forward and hit up.
Is a drop volley the same as a dink?
No. A dink is hit after the bounce; a drop volley is hit out of the air, usually against a harder ball.

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