Mastering the Third Shot: Anna Leigh Waters Shares Pro Pickleball Secrets
World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters and her mom and coach, Leigh Waters, recently sat down with pro pickleball player and content creator Kyle Koszuta to share their expert insights on one of the most critical aspects of pickleball strategy: the third shot.
In pickleball, the third shot is a pivotal moment in every rally. It’s the first shot after the return of serve, and how you handle it can determine who controls the point. Anna Leigh Waters offered a deep dive into her mindset and strategy behind choosing between a third shot drop or a drive.
🧠 How to Make Smarter Third Shot Decisions
When Koszuta asked, “How would you coach someone into making smarter third shot decisions?”, Anna Leigh emphasized the importance of the serve.
“The better serve you hit, the shorter or worse return you’ll get, so going for your serve is a big thing,” she explained. “If you’re getting a short return and your opponent is moving, it’s a lot easier to hit a third. But if you’ve hit a bad serve, they’re at the net, and you’re back trying to hit a third—that’s tough.””
She broke it down further:
- Short return = Drop
Because you’re moving forward and the ball is low, driving a short return is risky. Plus, you don’t have much court to work with. - Deep return = Drive
A deep return gives you room and time to hit a strong drive. - Middle return = Depends
This is where player preference and strengths come into play.
🎾 The “Rafa Nadal Style” Third Shot Drop
Koszuta observed that Anna Leigh often finishes her drops on the same side rather than following through completely. He jokingly called it “Rafa Nadal style.”
“You can get a lot more spin that way,” said Anna Leigh. “Sometimes if someone’s hit a really good return, you don’t have time to whip your arm over and finish. I get way more spin with this shot.”
However, she warned against using only your arm, which can lead to shoulder injuries. Instead, she recommends using your legs and torso to generate power and maintain control.
🧩 Anna Leigh’s Third Shot Mentality: A Simple Formula
Anna Leigh shared her go-to framework when deciding how to approach the third shot:
✅ Your Best Shot
✅ Strategy
✅ Their Weaknesses
“If your best shot can exploit their weakness, you win every time,” she said. “Sometimes your strength feeds into their strength, and that’s where you have to be a little careful. Start with your best shot, and if that’s not working, go to Plan B and think, How can I exploit their weaknesses even if it’s not my top strength?”
🔄 Always Mentally in the Point
Leigh Waters added one of the most important mental strategies that even amateur players can adopt:
“Want every ball and expect every ball is going to come to you. Even if you’re off the ball, be thinking about what you would do with it. That way, you stay mentally in the point.”
This advice plays directly into what makes Anna Leigh’s game so elite—her anticipation.
“If you know what your partner’s doing, you can be ready. If you’re just standing there and your partner speeds up the ball, you’re not ready. But if you’re mentally prepared, that’s a putaway ball,” said Anna Leigh.
🎯 Takeaways for All Levels
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or aspiring pro, here’s what you can learn from the Waters:
- Hit a strong serve to set yourself up for an easier third shot.
- Drop short returns and drive deep ones.
- Know your best shot, your strategy, and your opponent’s weaknesses.
- Stay mentally engaged on every point—even if the ball isn’t coming to you.
- Use your whole body on the drop shot to avoid injury and gain better control.
📌 Final Thoughts
Anna Leigh Waters didn’t become World No. 1 by accident. Her incredible anticipation, strategic approach, and technical discipline make her one of the most respected names in the sport. With her mom Leigh by her side as coach, this dynamic duo continues to shape the future of professional pickleball.
Want to level up your game? Start by mastering the third shot—and think like a Waters.
