countering drop shots

[pushing_wins]

ash, balla et al,

whats the percentage play when your opponent attack with drop shots?

after the drop shot, 3 scenarios:
a) opponent stays back
b) moves into no mans land
c) attacks the net

he hits the drop shot near the sideline. my position is neutral.

 

[jrs]

I would say the best play for a drop shot is to drop it back in front of you. So you will be in position to cover the next shot.

If he is at the net or coming to the net - try to hit by so it lands behind him or at his feet. Try to stay away from cross court unless you can hit it for a winner.

 

[SpinToWin]

a) opponent stays back
Play a counter drop shot and stay up at net

b) moves into no mans land
Play the ball into his feet and move up to the net to finish off with an easy volley.

c) attacks the net
If possible lob him, if not, you will have to try shoving the ball past him so that it is out of his reach.

 

[5point5]

You have to mix it up. Use some head fakes, if he's right in front (he hit a drop volley) try and hit him at least once.

You can't execute the same strategy over and over, or they'll catch on.

 

[torpantennis]

c) attacks the net
If possible lob him, if not, you will have to try shoving the ball past him so that it is out of his reach.

Most all players, even most all pros always make one simple mistake in this case, when the opponent hit a dropshot and follows it into the net. They always hit the ball CC, looking for that opening to move the ball out of the opponent's reach. But the opponent will easily get to the weak CC ball, and win the point 9/10 times. IMO you should ALWAYS hit the ball DTL in this case, even though it feels there's an "opening" CC and even though it's easier to hit the ball CC over the lowest part of the net. Why go CC if you'll almost always lose it? Only go CC from the forecourt when you're absolutely sure that the opponent will NOT get to your ball.

 

[Lance L]

Most all players, even most all pros always make one simple mistake in this case, when the opponent hit a dropshot and follows it into the net. They always hit the ball CC, looking for that opening to move the ball out of the opponent's reach. But the opponent will easily get to the weak CC ball, and win the point 9/10 times. IMO you should ALWAYS hit the ball DTL in this case, even though it feels there's an "opening" CC and even though it's easier to hit the ball CC over the lowest part of the net. Why go CC if you'll almost always lose it? Only go CC from the forecourt when you're absolutely sure that the opponent will NOT get to your ball.

I think this is a very good point. Basically when I approach the net I go DTL almost always, and this case, trying to get to a drop shot, is no different. Even going down the line to a stronger FH is better than crosscourt to a weaker BH.

As an approach shot I find a drop shot hard, but instead I try a variation, I suppose. More of a slice that lands in mid court. Makes it hard for my opponent to get under the ball to hit a topspin shot, and running forward makes it hard to effectively lob. If I do it right.

 

[Cowboyardee]

Most all players, even most all pros always make one simple mistake in this case, when the opponent hit a dropshot and follows it into the net. They always hit the ball CC, looking for that opening to move the ball out of the opponent's reach. But the opponent will easily get to the weak CC ball, and win the point 9/10 times. IMO you should ALWAYS hit the ball DTL in this case, even though it feels there's an "opening" CC and even though it's easier to hit the ball CC over the lowest part of the net. Why go CC if you'll almost always lose it? Only go CC from the forecourt when you're absolutely sure that the opponent will NOT get to your ball.

One thing to consider though - the CC reply to a drop shot is often the easier shot to actually execute than one DTL. Sure, if you have time, a DTL return is certainly possible... but if you have time when returning a drop shot, the opponent is likely screwed either way. If you're stretched and hitting up to get the ball over the net, the short CC reply gives you more space to get over the net, and a lower trajectory to avoid hitting the ball long or providing a sitter for your opponent.

 

[torpantennis]

I think this is a very good point. Basically when I approach the net I go DTL almost always, and this case, trying to get to a drop shot, is no different. Even going down the line to a stronger FH is better than crosscourt to a weaker BH.

As an approach shot I find a drop shot hard, but instead I try a variation, I suppose. More of a slice that lands in mid court. Makes it hard for my opponent to get under the ball to hit a topspin shot, and running forward makes it hard to effectively lob. If I do it right.

On that short slice, so many players yet again do the mistake of going CC, where the opponent is actually waiting! I always hit a DTL slice BH into those short slices, and either approach the net or back up depending on how short the slice was.

 

[torpantennis]

One thing to consider though - the CC reply to a drop shot is often the easier shot to actually execute than one DTL. Sure, if you have time, a DTL return is certainly possible... but if you have time when returning a drop shot, the opponent is likely screwed either way. If you're stretched and hitting up to get the ball over the net, the CC reply gives you more space to get over the net, and a lower trajectory to avoid hitting the ball long or providing a sitter for your opponent.

A DTL shot is IMO very easy to execute, if you just hit it as a slice.

 

[Cowboyardee]

A DTL shot is IMO very easy to execute, if you just hit it as a slice.

A DTL reply is going over a higher part of the net, and with less distance to the part of the net that it's going over, forcing you to hit the ball up at a higher angle. If you're scooping up the ball, the CC reply is inarguably the easier shot.

It's important to differentiate between not-super-effective drop shots where you reach them in plenty of time and aren't scooping them up from below your knees, vs solid & effective drop that you just barely reach in time. For the former, I agree with you 100% - DTL is a better option unless you have a putaway or some other situational reason to hit CC. For the latter though, at DTL reply ain't an easy shot; no reply is easy - it was a good drop shot. The high percentage play is the one that keeps you in the point in this situation.

 

[torpantennis]

A DTL reply is going over a higher part of the net, and with less distance to the part of the net that it's going over, forcing you to hit the ball up at a higher angle. If you're scooping up the ball, the CC reply is inarguably the easier shot.

It's important to differentiate between not-super-effective drop shots where you reach them in plenty of time and aren't scooping them up from below your knees, vs solid & effective drop that you just barely reach in time. For the former, I agree with you 100% - DTL is a better option unless you have a putaway or some other situational reason to hit CC. For the latter though, at DTL reply ain't an easy shot; no reply is easy - it was a good drop shot. The high percentage play is the one that keeps you in the point in this situation.

If the ball is below the net, just hit a short slice dropper DTL with a lot of sidespin. Sure, you need some touch to make that shot, but I tend to be much successful with it than the CC shot. If you can hit it just barely over the net the opponent will have a very tough ball to handle, because most probably he was waiting for the CC ball.

If you hit it CC you'll "always" lose so why bother even trying?

 

[Lance L]

On that short slice, so many players yet again do the mistake of going CC, where the opponent is actually waiting! I always hit a DTL slice BH into those short slices, and either approach the net or back up depending on how short the slice was.

Oh, definitely DTL. When I said mid court I meant depth, but almost always down the line.

Now here is one for you. You hit that slice BH down the line, and your opponent goes down the line with a decent shot. Do you hit that BH volley cross court?! I find that can also be a dangerous play, as well. I'll often go back down the line again, or at them, but deeper to get the ball at their feet. Assuming I'm not just reacting and doing whatever I can, which is about 50% of my net play.

I guess the basic thing here is cross court and forecourt play are dangerous!

 

[Cowboyardee]

If the ball is below the net, just hit a short slice dropper DTL with a lot of sidespin. Sure, you need some touch to make that shot, but I tend to be much successful with it than the CC shot. If you can hit it just barely over the net the opponent will have a very tough ball to handle, because most probably he was waiting for the CC ball.

If you hit it CC you'll "always" lose so why bother even trying?

Your initial reply was referring to a situation where the opponent charges the net after his dropshot. So... why would you hit a dropshot reply in this situation (CC, DTL or whatever)?

Also, you won't 'always' lose when you hit CC vs DTL. Not even close. The other guy can miss; the other guy can guess wrong; the other guy can hit the ball back to you; you can hit a particularly good shot or strong angle; you can hand him the winner and still make a fantastic save. Heck - you don't 'always' lose the point when you give your opponent a free overhead from inside the service line. And a CC return on a dropshot ain't no free overhead. We're talking a few percentage difference in terms of points won from that situation... when you get the ball back in the first place. Which is why it can be wise to hit the easier shot when you're already stretched.

 

[torpantennis]

Oh, definitely DTL. When I said mid court I meant depth, but almost always down the line.

Now here is one for you. You hit that slice BH down the line, and your opponent goes down the line with a decent shot. Do you hit that BH volley cross court?! I find that can also be a dangerous play, as well. I'll often go back down the line again, or at them, but deeper to get the ball at their feet. Assuming I'm not just reacting and doing whatever I can, which is about 50% of my net play.

I guess the basic thing here is cross court and forecourt play are dangerous!

I'm too bad at net to really comment. Too reactive I guess. :lol:

Yes, you're right that going CC at forecourt is dangerous. But sooner or later you have to hit that finalizing volley, and those tend to often go CC. Sure, if your short volley is good, or if your positioning is good, then go CC on your first volley. But I think the go-to pattern is to hit the first "setup volley" deep DTL and then finalise the point with the second volley CC.

But there are exceptions to the rules. Nadal tends to always hit his first volley CC, and he often wins the point with them. But IMO he never gets to the net in a "neutral" situation, rather he attacks with his ground stroke and then just finalises the point with the first volley.

 

[torpantennis]

Your initial reply was referring to a situation where the opponent charges the net after his dropshot. So... why would you hit a dropshot reply in this situation (CC, DTL or whatever)?

Also, you won't 'always' lose when you hit CC vs DTL. Not even close. The other guy can miss; the other guy can guess wrong; the other guy can hit the ball back to you; you can hit a particularly good shot or strong angle; you can hand him the winner and still make a fantastic save. Heck - you don't 'always' lose the point when you give your opponent a free overhead from inside the service line. And a CC return on a dropshot ain't no free overhead. We're talking a few percentage difference in terms of points won from that situation... when you get the ball back in the first place. Which is why it can be wise to hit the easier shot when you're already stretched.

If the opponent approaches the net behind a drop shot, the key is to NOT offer him a weak floater. So I have to hit it low over the net, and preferably short so that it doesn't float. BTW, I was assuming a CC drop shot into my BH. So if I'm stretched, the question is which of the two directions is easier to get the ball low over the net so that opponent has a tough shot/volley to handle. At least I have big trouble to enforce any sort of topspin on my BH, if I have to stretch forward. But I can still control slices, so I'd go DTL because the opponent is probably not there. And I'd not drop it "very short", rather aim towards the service line, with some sidespin, and you can surprise the opponent.

At least I would always hit a floater if I'd hit that ball CC.

 

[Cowboyardee]

If the opponent approaches the net behind a drop shot, the key is to NOT offer him a weak floater. So I have to hit it low over the net, and preferably short so that it doesn't float. BTW, I was assuming a CC drop shot into my BH. So if I'm stretched, the question is which of the two directions is easier to get the ball low over the net so that opponent has a tough shot/volley to handle. At least I have big trouble to enforce any sort of topspin on my BH, if I have to stretch forward. But I can still control slices, so I'd go DTL because the opponent is probably not there. And I'd not drop it "very short", rather aim towards the service line, with some sidespin, and you can surprise the opponent.

At least I would always hit a floater if I'd hit that ball CC.

In truth, if your opponent hits a good well-disguised drop shot, follows up to the net in good position, and has quick hands, then you, me, the OP and most mere mortals are going to lose that point more often than not.

With that said, I'll reiterate that it's easier to avoid handing the other guy a high sitter when hitting CC than DTL when you're scooping up a low ball - due to simple geometry. Of course, different players have different shots that are easier or harder for them personally, geometry be damned. So if you personally execute better on a DTL return, I could see why you'd prefer it. Just pointing out that with equal practice, the CC return should be the easier shot with a larger margin of error and less chance of sitting up for the opp.

FWIW, I played a decent amount of mini tennis growing up, so the short CC flick is like second nature to me. We all play to our strengths.

 

[torpantennis]

^^Sure, always play to your own strengths, that's the key. TBH, that BH DTL slice is one of my key strengths. I have a great disguise on it. I swing the racquet to the CC direction so the opponent thinks I'll hit it CC, but I brush the side of the ball so that the ball goes DTL. I return almost all serves with slice, off both wings, so the depth control of my slices is well developed. IMO, slice is really one of the most underrated shots in the game today. During rallies, I hit about half of my BHs as slices.