Drop shotting old guys?

[tbuggle]

Depends

[polytheist]

No drop shots.

[ahoomira]

I guess brand new to "serious" tennis. Before this year it was doubles with friends and trying to hit each other.

Thanks to all who answered.

Just to throw my two cents back in. I didn't drop shot the guy to death. I'm trying to improve and get better and just didn't think it was helpful to me to continually drop shot. So I didn't and lost.

I will say though, when it got to the playoffs and my opponent was continually hitting high lobs to my backhand, I did drop shot him to death and won. The reasoning was at that point, no one was being polite.

Kswiss was interesting. For me it was about getting better, and possibly finding hitting partners that are local.

[ahoomira]

I'll also add that I got beat a lot in this 3.0 league, esp in the beginning but I think it was a great experience and although I lost half of my matches I improved a lot.

These guys were pretty much pushers and instead of drop shotting at every opportunity I learned to move better, hit high balls, move my opponent around the court and I think overall I came out better.

The downside, is that the league refuses to let me play 3.5 because I lost half of my matches so I have to go through this again.

[gavna]

as an "old guy" at 51 i would have no problem if someone continued to drop me every chance he got. I bet though these folks you pay have been around for quite a bit and after maybe a few winning points from you they will find a way to turn it back on you.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by spot

No- for a beginner they should work on developing a weapon that will actually be effective as they continue to improve. It would be absolutely crazy for a beginner to build their game around the dropshot.

Gotta agree with Spot here.

In fact, I will go further than Spot. I would say that of all the shots in tennis, the single worst one for a beginner to rely upon is the drop shot.

OP won't have to wait until 4.0 to find out just how limiting it is to have the drop shot be your weapon of choice. The first time he hits a drop shot against two at net in doubles he will understand. I mean, someone who relies too heavily on drop shots in 3.5/4.0 doubles will get poached silly.

Even in singles, even at 3.0/3.5, you can't build a game around drop shots if you have nothing else to back it up. What will you do when it is windy? When your opponent is a rabbit? When your opponent starts parking in no-man's land to anticipate your drop shots, which then are treated as "short balls."

That said, one of my go-to shots is the topspin moonball. It could be said that it is a mistake to build a game around a topspin moonball. Nevertheless, I won a lot of matches with it at 3.5 last year.

Still, I would say a topspin moonball is a better choice for building a game around than a drop shot. The reason is my learning a topspin moonball was just a side effect of having learned to hit topspin off of both wings. I could, did and still can simply lower the ball into a regular groundstroke or even a dipper when desired. I am not sure OP has developed a sweet slice off of both wings that he is now simply tweaking for a proper drop shot.

Nah. Develop your groundies and volleys. That's enough for a 3.0/3.5 player to have on his plate. There are a lot of people who hit a glass ceiling at 3.5 and get very frustrated. Don't let it happen to you, OP.

[813wilson]

And....

in my experience, 3.0 KSwiss/Ultimate tennis is really 2.0 USTA. In that, I am 4.0 USTA and stopped playing KSwiss/Ultimate at the 5.0 level.

So the question is: how good is 2.0/2.5 "drop shot" in the 1st place.

OP - it is a league, you're there to win, so it is okay. But, be sure to work on improving as others have mentioned.

[user92626]

Drop shot at recreational, low levels is very lame.

If you fail, you look like an arse.

If you win, you win a very short game and from the fact that people are lazy to play your drop shots so they let you win.

Short game = boring
Opponents without effort = very very boring

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by spot

Getting free points on the serve doesn't help you improve.

Spot, this helped me a ton in my practice match. I hit only 2nd serves and slices, pretty much in the middle of the box with just enough pace that they wouldn't get clobbered. I went for no aces and focused on my feet more and preparing for the return to come back. Definitely had longer rallies than normal, but it really got me into a groove. Good tip for practice sets.

[storypeddler]

Originally Posted by pheonix6579

Here is my opinion. When it comes to casual matches, where the same people meet up once a week to hit and a few of them have mobility issues, drop shots ever single point is a good way for you not to be asked back. Yes it is legal and yes it does win points but when nothing is on the line...its not a lot of fun and in those situations that is why people are out. Even, like me for instance, i don't mind the occasional drop shot, but when it really compromises my fun that's when it bothers me.

Now in a league setting...now the tables change, because something is on the line. You could drop shot me all day and if i couldn't get to it..."good shot" (while I may be cursing you in my head). If you know how to win a point go for it. You will eventually have someone give you some of your own medicine or find a way to destroy your "drop shot" strategy.

Exactly. What he said.