A shift control method of an automatic transmission according to this invention controls a shift from an N speed achieved by engagement of first and second frictional elements to an N−3 speed achieved by engagement of third and fourth frictional elements, wherein release of the second frictional element begins after release of the first frictional element begins and engagement of the fourth frictional element begins after engagement of the third frictional element begins, and wherein the engagement of the third frictional element is completed substantially at the same time that the release of the second frictional element is completed.