Until your side makes it to the KL, you are an underdog in the point. I've seen the number of five percent disadvantage by not being at the net. I would estimate it as close to 30%. Being pinned to the baseline, or worse, having one player up and one back, is a serious problem.
Therefore being it resolved: Make sure any shots you hit until you get to the KL are helping you do that. A third shot drive is not designed to win the point, but to generate a mid court defensive block from the opponents, that will allow you to hit a softer shot, that promotes forward mobility. A useful point here is that the fifth shot is almost always softer than the third shot drive. An exception would be that you get a pop up off the drive and can move forward fast enough to volley it in a downwards direction.
And a third shot drop is the same thing. It's harder to hit, but the aim is to hit so softly that it can't be attacked or used to force you to stay back. If it's not the best drop shot, you still will mostly get another opportunity to try again and move in.
Until your side is at the KL, in balance and ready for the next shot, you are at a disadvantage. So keep the soft stuff coming until the point is square. Then out dink them and wait for an opportunity to start winning the point.
One last point... As soon as your side has hit a good soft shot, be it third, fifth, seventh, then do not hesitate to follow it to the KL. This is what you and partner are waiting for, so don't admire it, don't worry about it hitting the net, just jump on the opportunity and go. The thunder of feet will make the opponents nervous, so you'll have that going for you too. :-)
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