The Fourth Shot in Pickleball: 3 Variations That Win Points

Practice blending them together, stay aggressive without forcing it, and watch your opponents struggle to get to the net.

The fourth shot in pickleball is where rallies get decided. Most players obsess over the serve, return, and third shot, but if your fourth shot is weak, everything falls apart.

According to Richard Livornese Jr., a popular pickleball educator and APP pro, mastering the three distinct fourth shot types is the key to controlling points and stopping your opponents from taking the net.

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The Chariot Whip: Your Go-To for Low Balls

When your opponent hits a third shot that dips below the net and they're still back on the baseline, you've got a golden opportunity. This is the most common fourth shot scenario, and most players mess it up by trying to speed up the ball like a normal attack.

The solution is the chariot whip forehand, a technique popularized by Ben Johns. Instead of wrapping around the ball, you cover the paddle face and brush upward as you swing. The key is dropping your paddle first, then swinging fast and finishing up.

This shot maximizes spin while keeping the ball in the court. On the backhand side, you'll use a roll instead of the chariot whip, but the principle is the same: brush up to generate topspin and control.

The Sweep Volley: When the Ball Gets High

Once the ball rises above net height, the chariot whip becomes less effective. That's when you switch to the sweep volley, another Ben Johns signature move.

The sweep is a flat volley on both sides that maximizes power while keeping the ball down. Your takeback and follow-through stay on one plane, which makes clean contact much easier than other shots.

Keep the tip of your paddle tilted down slightly, not flat. Accelerate from your core, legs, and shoulder, not just your arm. This generates serious pace without requiring a huge backswing.

The Snap: Your Weapon Against Dead Balls

When your opponent hits a dead reset or third shot that bounces near the baseline, back up and look to snap. This is where you take one step back and use a wrist snap with topspin to keep the ball low to the net.

Even if your opponent tries to come in behind it, the low trajectory makes it nearly impossible to counter. This shot is especially effective on the forehand side.

Blending All Three Together

You won't use just one fourth shot per rally. At higher levels, you'll blend all three together seamlessly.

Your opponent might hit a ball that forces you to chariot whip. The next ball comes back higher, so you sweep it. Then they get it back again, and you're back to the chariot whip. This back-and-forth is how you control the kitchen line and prevent your opponents from advancing to the net.

The goal is to stay aggressive on every fourth shot. When you do, your opponent's transition percentage drops dramatically, changing the entire match.

Don't Force It

One critical mindset shift: not every fourth shot needs to be an attack. If your opponent hits a really good reset and you're in a tough spot, it's okay to concede the net and dink it back.

The ego trap is thinking you always have to go for the winner. That gets you in trouble fast. Instead, stay patient, use the right shot for the situation, and trust that aggressive play over multiple shots will eventually get you that pop-up you need to finish the point.