My experience with guys in their 20s is that all they can do at the net is crowd it and bunt drop volleys. Particularly in doubles, they are really lost up there and turn to water in a close quarters exchange. So although I often play guys 30 or more years younger, I welcome them giving me a chance to get to the net as it generally doesn't work out well for them.
Is it rude to dropshot old people?
- Thread starter Standaa
- Start date
My experience with guys in their 20s is that all they can do at the net is crowd it and bunt drop volleys. Particularly in doubles, they are really lost up there and turn to water in a close quarters exchange. So although I often play guys 30 or more years younger, I welcome them giving me a chance to get to the net as it generally doesn't work out well for them.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Recall one team promising to send us back to the retirees' home early for milk & cookies. They did for sure, pie instead
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Pie & coffee..................................Sr. match, cept we were the Sr.s
Personally, I'm against dropshotting the elderly. If you must, though, please use a very flexible racquet with loose stringing. I would also limit this to grass courts. They'll get a softer landing.
From another point of view: I play a very soft game against the more decrepit members during club social round-robins. Later, after changing opponents, the elderly see me playing a full-speed real serves game on the next court, and I often hear them say "well, why didn't he play that way against us?" That lets me know they were physically gone upstairs, too. It makes me glad I played the way I did against them. I should note I'll probably be in their shoes in another fifteen years. (If the shoes are the right size....).
In short, play with decency. Don't drop-shot the eldely, and don't hit the occasional underhand serve to your fitness peers. If you're physically disabled, then hit all your serves underhand. Cheap shots make tennis a cheap game.
From another point of view: I play a very soft game against the more decrepit members during club social round-robins. Later, after changing opponents, the elderly see me playing a full-speed real serves game on the next court, and I often hear them say "well, why didn't he play that way against us?" That lets me know they were physically gone upstairs, too. It makes me glad I played the way I did against them. I should note I'll probably be in their shoes in another fifteen years. (If the shoes are the right size....).
In short, play with decency. Don't drop-shot the eldely, and don't hit the occasional underhand serve to your fitness peers. If you're physically disabled, then hit all your serves underhand. Cheap shots make tennis a cheap game.
C
Chadalina
Guest
Drop volley shows skill, drop shot shows a good wood chop. Hackers can pull off the dropper, but not the drop volley.
Most people just wanna hit some balls, drop shots break the flow and enjoyment. Just do the spider drill if thats what you call tennis.
I wouldn't draw the line based on age, rather based on the skill of the particular opponent.
If it is a close match, why not.
If I am way superior, then I wouldn't blow them off the court simply because I can. Not fun for me, not fun for them.
I can tell you that from my own experience, it doesn't help me at all when a much better opponent blasts me away.
However, when a better opponent pushes me to the limit, that does help me to improve.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
You have the unfair advantage of not facing the ravages of Father Time. It evens out.
If you can't beat an 80 year old without resorting to drop shots, you need to up your game considerably.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Keendog
Professional
I would think so.
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