Drop shotting old guys?

[ahoomira]

I'm brand new to tennis and just started playing matches at the 3.0 level in kswiss.

I already finished my first season, but I'm fairly young (32) and most of my opponents were twice my age. I mean old...like 65 and up. Obviously, being that they are much older, their mobility is lacking and the drop shot is one of easiest ways to win points.

Just curious if its good etiquette to continually drop shot an older guy? I mean point after point after point.

The factors I can think of are:
-It is kswiss flex league...is it that serious of a league to win every single point that way or is it better to just play regular shots to get better?
-Is there such thing as tennis ethics - unwritten?

Just curious....what would you guys do?

[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.

[gmatheis]

What are the benefits of winning? Is there a championship of some sort? state/sectional/national?

If that's the case then I think you do whatever it takes to win within the rules of tennis and sportsmanship.

If however there is no real benefit to winning and it's more of a social league then I say be a little more friendly.

[Mick]

an old guy did that to me some years ago (using the drop shot on every point). I didn't like it at all. I later figured out how to prevent him from hitting the drop shot. He didn't like my solution either

[PBODY99]

As a player in the 55's, I would not care which shots you hit. If I have a chance to beat you in singles, it won't matter that much. The drop off is more in recovery than than in court coverage for the players I know.

[ATP100]

Originally Posted by ahoomira

I'm brand new to tennis and just started playing matches at the 3.0 level in kswiss.

I already finished my first season, but I'm fairly young (32) and most of my opponents were twice my age. I mean old...like 65 and up. Obviously, being that they are much older, their mobility is lacking and the drop shot is one of easiest ways to win points.

Just curious if its good etiquette to continually drop shot an older guy? I mean point after point after point.

The factors I can think of are:
-It is kswiss flex league...is it that serious of a league to win every single point that way or is it better to just play regular shots to get better?
-Is there such thing as tennis ethics - unwritten?

Just curious....what would you guys do?

Wait till you get a little better, you won't think you are so "young" than.

The better you get, the harder it is to recover physically.

[floridatennisdude]

In the league, I'd keep going to the well until tHe well is dry. If they don't have an answer to the drop shot, don't stop.

I do agree with Phoenix that if you do this in a social setting, it will be hard to find practice partners. Maybe just try it once per game or something for practice.

[spot]

At 3.0 you play Kswiss to get better and move up to 3.5, The dropshot is about the last shot that you need to work on right now. I'd say play Kswiss knowing that the point is to improve so dropshotting all day long is sort of missing the point. At that level I'd think you would want to hit "your" shot whatever that is. For me at that time it was hitting forehands deep into the corners and picking my spot to get to the net. For others its S&V and chip and charge. It just seems like a bad decision at this point to make your game reliant on dropshots that are going to get destroyed as you move up.

All this would be different if its a USTA match or an ALTA match where you ahve teammates counting on you. In that case then drop shot them to death.

[floridatennisdude]

spot - what if "his shot" is the drop shot? Shouldn't he work on ways to implement it?

It's a nasty tool to have in your arsenal, especially when you can pull it out at the right time.

[sureshs]

It is great fun. Did it on Sunday many times to an old guy. Unfortuately, I still lost 4-6. He did not drop shot me once.

[spot]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

spot - what if "his shot" is the drop shot? Shouldn't he work on ways to implement it?

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.

[floridatennisdude]

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.

Hmmm, I don't know if I totally agree. There is a lot to be said for building an all around game, but I'd hate to encourage someone to ignore a possible strength to work on weak areas.

My last 4.5 match, I played a notorious junk baller. I cruised in the first set when he was out of sorts, but lost a close second set and match tb when his drops and slices started to click and my approaches and net game became erratic. Finesse is not my strength, so I don't work on it much. But, if it were I would use it. This guy did and he won.

[zcarzach]

If its league and they are on the court to win, nothing is off limits. If its social play, just for fun, its a great way to lose friends and hitting partners.

[spot]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

Hmmm, I don't know if I totally agree. There is a lot to be said for building an all around game, but I'd hate to encourage someone to ignore a possible strength to work on weak areas.

I just think its so shortsighted for a beginner to focus on what is effective at the 3.0 level rather than acquiring the skills to let them become a 4.0 player. Have them work on their dropshot after they can consistently drive the opponent deep with groundstrokes. Start with the shots that will be effective at all levels of play, not specialty shots that are devastating against 60 year olds but that would get eaten up by everyone else.

Honestly for beginners I think working on the serve last is also every effective. In the beginning the biggest thing is just getting the point started. Getting free points on the serve doesn't help you improve.

[cknobman]

If it is a competitive match I would drop shot until their knees broke in half.

Dont think for one second these older guys feel bad about dinking/slicing/lobbing these younger guys who like to play a power game.

Tennis is all about exploiting your opponents weaknesses.

If it is a casual match then I think you would just come off like an a hole.

[LuckyR]

In my experience, 65 year olds who play 3.0 are likely players who have been much higher in rating previously and to play 3.0 they must have serious physical liabilities. I am therefore not suprised that you may have difficulties with them if they can get to the ball.

Since you are asking the question, it seems like part of you thinks it is a bit Bush League and I am not going to disagree with you on that.

[spot]

Just out of curiosity why did you join the site in 2006 if you are brand new to tennis?

[Loose Cannon]

Originally Posted by pheonix6579

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.

Bolded for truth.......


The more I know players don't like it.....the more I wil do it.



Hower.....this is so true......as soon as you start feeling sorry......I assure you....you will face some mid 60 yr old that will make you look silly......the guy that does it every other shot......and has no problem nailing the droppies 5 ft behing the Baseline. Ive been droppied into defeat before......you feel like screaming!

[Xisbum]

Originally Posted by ahoomira

I'm brand new to tennis and just started playing matches at the 3.0 level in kswiss.

I already finished my first season, but I'm fairly young (32) and most of my opponents were twice my age. I mean old...like 65 and up. Obviously, being that they are much older, their mobility is lacking and the drop shot is one of easiest ways to win points.

Just curious if its good etiquette to continually drop shot an older guy? I mean point after point after point.

The factors I can think of are:
-It is kswiss flex league...is it that serious of a league to win every single point that way or is it better to just play regular shots to get better?
-Is there such thing as tennis ethics - unwritten?

Just curious....what would you guys do?

As an official representative (66 next month) of the old guy demographic, I say bring it on. Whatever you want to hit is fine with me, as long as you don't hit me.

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by spot

I just think its so shortsighted for a beginner to focus on what is effective at the 3.0 level rather than acquiring the skills to let them become a 4.0 player. Have them work on their dropshot after they can consistently drive the opponent deep with groundstrokes. Start with the shots that will be effective at all levels of play, not specialty shots that are devastating against 60 year olds but that would get eaten up by everyone else.

Honestly for beginners I think working on the serve last is also every effective. In the beginning the biggest thing is just getting the point started. Getting free points on the serve doesn't help you improve.

Well stated and you have motivated me. In my practice match today I am going to take a little off my serve to work on my ground game. Good point about not improving off free points...and it will lessen some stress on my shoulder!