My New Toy: A Drop Shot!

[Cindysphinx]

Had a lesson yesterday, and my pro taught my practice partner and me a forehand drop shot. Two drop shots, actually.

The first was a drop shot off of a ground stroke, designed to land in the service box. Kind of a scooping motion.

The second was a drop shot off of a drop shot. You know, where the opponent hits a drop shot and you have to sprint up and deal with a very low ball, so you just kind of push it into the corner.

As a matter of strategy, I'm wondering when I use the first kind of drop shot off of a groundstroke. Is it based solely on the opponent's position? Is it OK to drop shot to the middle of the court? Does a drop shot have any use in doubles? Does it make sense to drop shot off of a short ball, and if so, why hit approach shots instead of hitting a drop shot?

I watch a lot of tennis, and there aren't many pros who use drop shots. Why is that?

 

[raiden031]

Had a lesson yesterday, and my pro taught my practice partner and me a forehand drop shot. Two drop shots, actually.

The first was a drop shot off of a ground stroke, designed to land in the service box. Kind of a scooping motion.

The second was a drop shot off of a drop shot. You know, where the opponent hits a drop shot and you have to sprint up and deal with a very low ball, so you just kind of push it into the corner.

As a matter of strategy, I'm wondering when I use the first kind of drop shot off of a groundstroke. Is it based solely on the opponent's position? Is it OK to drop shot to the middle of the court? Does a drop shot have any use in doubles? Does it make sense to drop shot off of a short ball, and if so, why hit approach shots instead of hitting a drop shot?

I watch a lot of tennis, and there aren't many pros who use drop shots. Why is that?

Shouldn't you have asked all these questions to your teacher? The book I'm reading says that when someone hits a short ball you should either hit a drop shot, hit an approach shot, or drive the ball towards the corner. I like the 3rd choice because it allows me to kill the ball, hopefully for a winner.

Most players I am against can't pull off a drop shot that I can't run down because they hit it a little too deep or hit it when I'm not far enough back. Perhaps at the pro level the reason they don't use them alot is because the pros can run up and get them.

I like drop shots to keep people honest just like the occasional service return down the line in doubles.

 

[spadesss]

Had a lesson yesterday, and my pro taught my practice partner and me a forehand drop shot. Two drop shots, actually.

The first was a drop shot off of a ground stroke, designed to land in the service box. Kind of a scooping motion.

The second was a drop shot off of a drop shot. You know, where the opponent hits a drop shot and you have to sprint up and deal with a very low ball, so you just kind of push it into the corner.

As a matter of strategy, I'm wondering when I use the first kind of drop shot off of a groundstroke. Is it based solely on the opponent's position? Is it OK to drop shot to the middle of the court? Does a drop shot have any use in doubles? Does it make sense to drop shot off of a short ball, and if so, why hit approach shots instead of hitting a drop shot?

I watch a lot of tennis, and there aren't many pros who use drop shots. Why is that?

Some players like the All Mighty Fed doesn' think that a drop shot is part of the game. I guessed he thinks its a cheap shot/point???

 

[Cindysphinx]

Shouldn't you have asked all these questions to your teacher? The book I'm reading says that when someone hits a short ball you should either hit a drop shot, hit an approach shot, or drive the ball towards the corner. I like the 3rd choice because it allows me to kill the ball, hopefully for a winner.

Most players I am against can't pull off a drop shot that I can't run down because they hit it a little too deep or hit it when I'm not far enough back. Perhaps at the pro level the reason they don't use them alot is because the pros can run up and get them.

I like drop shots to keep people honest just like the occasional service return down the line in doubles.

We really didn't have time to talk strategy, as we were pretty busy learning the mechanics. It would be like asking a pro when you should serve out wide when you can't yet serve at all.

At my level, players have a terrible time moving, especially moving forward. I'm thinking a drop shot would be very useful.

 

[raiden031]

We really didn't have time to talk strategy, as we were pretty busy learning the mechanics. It would be like asking a pro when you should serve out wide when you can't yet serve at all.

At my level, players have a terrible time moving, especially moving forward. I'm thinking a drop shot would be very useful.

It works great against people that can't run, thats why I use it alot.

 

[Jack Romeo]

use the groundstroke drop shot in the following situations:
1. if you know your opponent is slow moving up and down the court, you can use the drop shot liberally
2. as a surprise tactic (if you have adequate disguise on the shot)
a. off a short ball - use the drop shot as an alternative to the approach or the big putaway
b. occassionally, the drop shot can be used to break up a baseline rally, even off a relatively deep ball. but this is considered a low percentage shot and requires great skill, so therefore should be done sparingly.
3. if your opponent is way behind the baseline

in all situations, it is ok to drop shot to the middle of the court, but it makes more sense to hit it to one side or the other, whichever is farthest from your opponent. also, the net is higher on the sides, so it may add to the possiblity of error on your opponent's next shot.

the drop shot is indeed useful in doubles especially if both opponents are staying back. even if they are in one-up-one-back formation, you can hit an angled drop shot to the baseline player, but be sure to keep it far enough from the net player. if their teamwork isn't that solid, this can be effective because even if the net player runs for it, usually the baseline player is also running for it and when they see each other both running to the ball, there is usually some hesitation which results in no one getting to the ball or them making an error on the next shot. or they just crash into each other and that's pretty funny to watch...

of course it makes sense to drop shot off a short ball. you have 3 options on short balls: to try to put it away with a big winner; hit a deep approach and set up for a volley; hit a drop shot. if you are mixing up these three things, then your opponent will be under much more pressure because he cannot guess what shot you will hit next.

 

[sureshs]

Drop shots are frequently used by clay courters.

 

[dave333]

a slice is easier to use to break up a rally.

 

[kevhen]

Yes, you should use dropshots instead of approach shots if you opponent is slow and doesn't like to come to the net. Dropshots don't work too well at the pro level since they anticipate and move very well so you have to hit a very good one and they are a touch shot.

I used to hit a lot of dropshots at the 3.5 level but as I move to 4.5 I don't hit so many as they are riskier than a good approach shot. If I pop a dropshot too high or too deep it turns into an easy sitter for my opponent. If I don't hit it hard enough it lands in the net. So I prefer to hit low sliced approach shots instead which works better in doubles too.

But dropshots can be fun if your opponent is getting tired. Try to only hit them when you are inside the baseline, otherwise they will have too much time to get to them. I usually hit mine several feet from the sidelines (I don't try fancy angles unless I am countering my opponent's dropshot with an angled one of my own) as the main thing is to just clear the net.

 

[LuckyR]

A great piece of advice I received recently that has never let me down: never use a drop shot on a very important point.

 

[kevhen]

Brad Gilbert thought Andy Murray was using too many dropshots too, so most experts at the pro level would say not to use them against other pros. They do get used on clay when one opponent has been driven very deep with topspin. It's a good way to end a point then especially if your opponent is getting tired or off balance.

 

[Swinging Simian]

Most players I am against can't pull off a drop shot that I can't run down because they hit it a little too deep or hit it when I'm not far enough back. Perhaps at the pro level the reason they don't use them alot is because the pros can run up and get them.

Also at the pro level or even just against people who hit with alot of pace, trying to pull a drop shot off a ground stroke is extremely difficult. If not done right the ball will either bounce too high making it an easy target for someone who can run or the damn thing might not even clear the net. For that reason alone is why I think you'll see a drop volley more often than a groundstroke drop.

 

[Amone]

I'm fond of using the dropshot for an approach. That way, it can be a winner, which is always good, but there's not a lot of options for someone running up for a drop shot. They can't blast you with it, if it's well-played. They can only really drop shot you back, lob you, or pop up an easy kill. Only the second is really a risk if you're rushing the net anyways, and a quick player can usually get to most lobs. Those that he/she can't are generally harder to pull off, and a lower percentage play.

 

[tennis_hand]

if you can do it, do it well. Land it near the net with back and side spin.
Otherwise, it is not very effective against male players. u can still use it against baseliners who stay far behind the baseline.

 

[skuludo]

The drop shots effects are magnified if your opponent can hit with good topspin and pace. Instead of you putting in extra effort to hit the drop shot you can take the ball on the rise with a drop shot off a flat ball. Then hit it half volley like and you will get one that maybe effective depending on what your opponent did.

 

[Solat]

a few "rules" to drop shots

only drop shot when you are inside the court

if you do drop shot the most likely response is another drop shot so move in

don't ever miss a drop shot short, even if your opponent gets to it at least the rally is still going



Cindy: to answer your original question, pros dont play drop shots because they play mostly on hard courts, high bounce + athletic opponent = danger. Its also a 33/66 shot usually, if you nail it you win the point, if you miss short you lose it and if you hit too long your opponent gets a sitter so twice as likely to lose the point

 

[EuroMagnum]

It works great against people that can't run, thats why I use it alot.

Yeah works wonders against fat kids, funny as hell too cause if they happen to get it back over, just lob them

 

[spadesss]

I have a good deep 2hbh and a tricky 1h slice backhand. It drives my opponents crazy when I throw in a drop shot at least once game from my backhand side. I usually follow it up 2 the net and play a weak volley for a winner.

 

[hector]

If your opponent has a very weak second serve at your level a drop shot is not a bad shot to use on returns in singles or doubles. Not only is it a good tactical shot but psychologically it is very demoralizing for the opponent since you are highlighting how bad a serve they have. Also, at times, very weak serves can throw off ones timing and the tendency can be to get a bit wild and over hit. If you find that happening you now have a plan B.

 

[Bagumbawalla]

The drop shot is, of course, a touch shot. In the heat of a hard exchange it is not always easy to execute this shot perfectly, and against good players, it needs to be almost perfect. That's why professionals (except clay court specialists) tend to go for a more certain shot ( drive, angle, slice...) rather than risk a touch shot.

In club play you see the drop shot more often, sometimes used quite well by older players who have lost their speed, but still have plenty of touch and court sense.

In singles, perhaps, you can get away without touch shots (Sharapova for example), but in doubles, as mentioned above, you need every shot in the book. It is still a game of craft and strategy where mere slugging can only get you so far.

 

[batakdepores]

Cindy,

I agree with Hector. At your level, even if you only partially master the shot, drop-shot return off of a weak serve (or second serve) can have a devastated effect on the server.

You asked about the use of drop shots in doubles. In doubles, you have wider court to hit drop shots to. However, you will probably have one opponent at baseline and one opponent at the net (3.5 or lower, USTA suggested that 3.5ers do not serve and volley in doubles) and higher net clearance at the alleys. Try it and report back!

I can only have a couple of suggestion for drop shots on doubles. The more variety shots you have at your arsenal, the more effective your drop shot will be. Also, learn to disguise your drop shot by mimicking your regular ground strokes mechanics as much as you can, so your opponent can only detect the difference at the last second.

 

[Cindysphinx]

OK, I'm playing a doubles practice session on Saturday. Perhaps I'll try the dropshot then on weak second serves. I imagine it would be very easy to poach, though . . .

 

[kevhen]

I agree too about hitting dropshots in singles against weak serves. They have a long way to run and you can be standing well inside the baseline.

If you beat them enough this way, they will start hitting harder and harder serves to drive you back but they will start double-faulting more. So you win either way just by adding more pressure to their serve this way.

 

[kevhen]

Don't dropshot in doubles unless the net player is slow and you have a short ball that you can place short near the doubles alley. If you opponents stay back alot in doubles then you will want to dropshot them more but it can be risky against quick players. Slow moving but steady players that you are losing long baseline rallies to would be the ones to use it against.

 

[hector]

OK, I'm playing a doubles practice session on Saturday. Perhaps I'll try the dropshot then on weak second serves. I imagine it would be very easy to poach, though . . .

Not sure why you think it would be easy to poach? Just make sure you angle it into the alley. It is easy to do on a short second serve to your backhand. It does not have to be a great drop shot all you have to do is pop it over the net short and angled.

 

[LuckyR]

Don't dropshot in doubles unless the net player is slow and you have a short ball that you can place short near the doubles alley. If you opponents stay back alot in doubles then you will want to dropshot them more but it can be risky against quick players. Slow moving but steady players that you are losing long baseline rallies to would be the ones to use it against.

Typical dropshots aren't used much in doubles. But a couple of atypical ones are used a lot.

One, of course is the drop volley, which isn't really a drop shot, (but it's got the word "drop" in the name). Another is a true drop shot off of an extremely weak, short shot (that would usually be bounced over the fence). Another is an extreme angled shot (taking advantage of the alleys) that lands very short.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Not sure why you think it would be easy to poach? Just make sure you angle it into the alley. It is easy to do on a short second serve to your backhand. It does not have to be a great drop shot all you have to do is pop it over the net short and angled.

Because they are slow-moving shots and because of the net clearance required?

 

[hector]

If the second serve is short and slow why do you need a high net clearence? Remember this is on a short serve so you are not hitting this shot from the baseline. I think when you get on the court it will make more sense to you how easy this shot is to execute. Have fun.

 

[zapvor]

i love dropshots. its such a fun and good shot to hit too. i suggest putting sidespin on it so it bounces out to the alley. thats what i do anyways. but my dropshot is like my strength because all my other groundies suck =/

 

[spadesss]

try drop shot, pull your opponent into the net, on your net shot, lob them!
works wonders especially if the sun is in their eye. very evil thing to do in the 90 degree heat.

 

[Dashbarr]

after serving big for a while, most opponents will step back a little. a drop shot then could be very effective if placed well. if i have the right idea of your level, drop shots could work very well for you.

 

[penpal]

Try it, try it and try it some more -- it's the best way to learn to hit it better and at the 3.0 level (I think I remember you saying you were a 3.0 in another thread) it's all about improving.

The drop shot takes a great deal of practice. Somedays you'll feel like you have it and the next day it could be a mystery again. You just have to keep hitting it when you see an opportunity and eventually it will become a part of your reportoire. In fact, when I initially was learning it I'm sure I used it FAR too often ... but who cares, it was fun to hit

I wouldn't get too enamored with it in doubles though, especially as you start to move up in level. In women's singles though, used selectively, I think it could be a devastating weapon.