How do YOU handle drop shots?

[Team10]

Of course I know the classic way to handle a drop shot is push or slice the ball down the line and stay up at net ready for a put-away volley. If you have more time, most people go for a clean winner cross court or something similar.

I'm just wondering, how do you handle drop shots? Do you take the classic approach, or maybe mix it up?

I'm asking this question also because I have a friend of mine that likes to play drop shots ALL of the time, similar to Janowicz but even more often. He'll hit a drop shot and then go for a lob or hit a down the line winner, and he's good at it. Sick slicing dropper or a topspin lob. I can usually hit an overhead for a winner or run back to get the lob, but it is starting to get annoying after a while. Just want some opinions on what to do.

 

[craigb]

I like to re-drop the dropper. I figure if I had to run up there to get it he's gonna run too. Slice it low & cross-court and get in position to clean it up when he has to hit up on it.

 

[LeeD]

If someone drops shots you, a good one, not a high sitter....
You can slice dtl.
You can slice sharp CC and low over the net.
You can drop shot him, if he's back in NML.
You can slice directly at his body, between his feet, move forwards and hope his lob is low enough for you to smash.

 

[goran_ace]

It depends on how well he executed the dropper and what he does after it. If he leaves it high and you get there while it's above the height of the net, of course you've got the green light to punish that one no matter where he goes. If he hits one that stays low but he sits there watching it you've got a couple of options - e.g. slice approach to deep to opposite corner, angled approach, dropshot, etc. If he hits one that stays low and follows it in to the net like he should, then it becomes a little more difficult. He knows you have to hit up and he's cutting off your angles by coming forward so you either have to go for a really tight angle if you've got he hands to hit that shot or you have to play it back low over the net and not give him much to work with and continue to close in anticipating that now he has to hit up and give you something above the netcord.

 

[user92626]

I'm asking this question also because I have a friend of mine that likes to play drop shots ALL of the time, similar to Janowicz but even more often. He'll hit a drop shot and then go for a lob or hit a down the line winner, and he's good at it. Sick slicing dropper or a topspin lob. I can usually hit an overhead for a winner or run back to get the lob, but it is starting to get annoying after a while. Just want some opinions on what to do.

You don't know how to handle someone that dropshots ALL of the time? No offense but how low level can you be? Stand closer to the net, run up and swipe the ball away! NOBODY is that good that he can win by doing dropshots all the time. Dropshotting like that is like bunting the ball extremely short and soft and begging to be put away.

 

[sabala]

Definitely drop shot right back, I feel like an idiot when I get sucked into that dropshot lob routine! Set up a little cat & mouse game of touch at the net. There is a drill for practicing that too - although Chris goes straight to a lob, I like to keep it more short angles...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1B5uXEVF0M#t=00m59s

 

[Ballinbob]

I also like the re-drop. Works really well

 

[mywifehatestennis]

I am also a fan of the re-drop shot. my personal favorite is the side spin drop shot....not matter the position of your opponent, the side spin can really though them off.

 

[Steady Eddy]

I move in slowly, hoping that I won't have to run. Later, when I realize how short it is I run faster, but only get to the ball after it has bounced twice.

I wouldn't recommend this technique.

 

[Sir Shankalot]

I move in slowly, hoping that I won't have to run. Later, when I realize how short it is I run faster, but only get to the ball after it has bounced twice.

I wouldn't recommend this technique.

LOL! Join the club. A variant of this (my speciality) is to run so hard and fast at the last moment that I get to the ball but run through it and miss (generally into the net).

 

[nootles]

How you handle a drop shot largely depends on how soon you get there. The later you are the fewer options you will have. If your friend hits it all the time, it would be better to learn to recognize when he is hitting it so that you can get a start before he even hits that ball.

 

[mikeler]

I usually am the drop shot initiator so I can't help much with this thread!

 

[mightyrick]

When I see a drop-shot, I do the following:

1) Say "sheeeit".
2) Run like hell
3) If I reach the ball, try to put it cross court over the high part of the net... or try to lob it deep.

 

[Maximagq]

I've always hated playing against those who had a good drop shot because it keeps me honest and I don't move forward that well. I really should do the redrop more often but I have been accused of trying to hit too many winners off drop shots with power, and that has gotten me into a lot of trouble.

 

[sphinx780]

I prefer the reverse drop if the opponent hangs back. If not, I try to push down the line. The rest are in the net. I don't win too many of those. Lousy aging.

 

[zaph]

Generally I say thankyou, and watch their attempted drop shot hit the net, go wide, or generally mis the mark. It is a low percentage shot.

If it goes in, unless it is really good, then you're still on to win the point. The trick is not to panic, keep on your toes. Whatever you do, don't just charge at it, otherwise your momentum sends it long.

You have more time than you think. Watch the ball, stay low, stop before you hit it if you can and then hit a winner. If it is really too good to reach, applaud your opponent, it was just too good.

 

[GoudX]

If it is VERY good all it is possible to do is push it back short over the net at full stretch, otherwise I'll just rip a heavy topspin winner as they've let me inside the court.