Why the Fourth Shot Matters More Than You Think

Pickleball players and coaches often put a huge emphasis on the third shot—serve, return, and then the all-important drop or drive. It's a popular topic, and for good reason. But what rarely gets talked about is the fourth shot—the ball played immediately after the third shot. Whether it's a counter to a drive or a response to a drop, the fourth shot can actually be one of the most important weapons in your arsenal. When you are about to hit a fourth shot, you and your partner should be established at the kitchen line. If you aren't, refer to my previous blog. 

There are several smart options for how to handle the fourth shot, and your choice depends entirely on the type of third shot you receive:

1. If you receive a third shot drop into the kitchen:

• Dink it cross-court.
  This is often the safest and smartest response, especially if your opponent hits a solid drop and you’re unsure of a better option. It keeps you on point and resets the rally.

Or

• Attack a high or shallow bounce.
  If the ball drops into the kitchen but bounces higher than expected or lands short, you can drop your paddle tip, roll over the ball with topspin, and attack your opponent as they’re still moving forward to the kitchen line. Try this and you will be surprised at the effectiveness, as most people are not used to the fourth ball being sped up like that. 

  ⚠️ Be cautious with this shot. If you leave it too high, you’re giving your opponent the chance to counterattack by taking it out of the air. 

2. If you receive a third shot drop that is high and you can take it out of the air. 

• If you receive a third shot drop that’s high and you can take it out of the air, your best option—unless it’s high enough for an overhead—is to roll the ball. Rolling means coming over the top of the ball with topspin, driving it down toward your opponent’s feet. I like to teach this using a “windshield wiper” motion: keep your arm relatively fixed and swipe across the top of the ball like a wiper blade. Once you’re comfortable with the motion, placement becomes key. Aim for the left foot of the player on the right side (from your perspective, it’s the player on the left). This targets their backhand and, if they’re still transitioning to the net, it’s tough for their partner to poach or cover. My second option is the left foot of the other player, but that’s a riskier angle since you’re playing closer to the sideline.

3. They hit a third shot drive.
In this situation, you’ve got a few solid options:

Option 1: Block (but not blindly).
You’re probably thinking, “Well, duh,” but hear me out. When I say "just block," I’m talking about the kind of block where you're simply trying to survive the shot, just getting it back. While that’s better than nothing, it often puts you right back on your heels. You’re handing your opponent another chance to rip a fifth-shot drive, which means your hands are about to be tested again. I go deeper on this in my other blog, The Art of the Counter.

Option 2: Counter/block with a purpose.
This is the real move. When someone drives their third shot, your goal should be to absorb the pace and redirect the ball deep, ideally toward their feet or left foot. You’re not trying to crush it—just send it back with intent. Doing this effectively neutralizes their offense. They’re left with a tough choice: try another drive from the baseline, or attempt a riskier drop.

Why are they driving in the first place? Because they’re trying to set up a better fifth ball—either for a cleaner drop or a put-away. But if you execute this kind of counter, you take both options away.

Option 3: Let it go (yes, really).
This one sounds simple, but is way underused—especially when nerves kick in. If the drive is high, flat, and coming in hot, and your opponent tends to hit long, let it go. Trust your judgment. So many players instinctively swat at out balls on the fourth shot. Let a couple go, see the results, and build that trust in your eyes. You might gain a few free points with zero effort.

While the third shot might get all the hype, the fourth shot is where the rally is truly shaped. Whether you're dinking, attacking, rolling, countering, or simply letting a ball fly long, your ability to make the right fourth shot decision can swing the momentum of a point—and even a match. Start treating the fourth shot like the game-changer it is, and you’ll find yourself winning more points, frustrating more opponents, and gaining control of more rallies. The best players aren’t just good at executing—they’re great at responding.