Running to a drop shot

[baseline08thrasher]

When you are running to a drop shot, would you rather start your swing while running to it, or get into position first and then swing?

I just need to clear this up.

 

[HEADidas]

I'd say it all depends on how much time you have...if you don't have much time to get to it than i'd say don't start to swing until you get to the ball but if you have plenty of time than you can take a longer swing at the drop shot

 

[ReopeningWed]

Usually you don't take full swings at drop shots because there's so much less court space. I try to dink/lob/push it in a good spot and be ready to cover where I'm not.

 

[Ultra2HolyGrail]

You can't hit a dropped shot ball if you don't get to it. That's the most important thing, getting to it before it bounces. As soon as you know it is a drop shot run forward as fast you can, worry about getting to it is first priority, when you get to it just plain do something with it, don't worry about swinging on the run and all that, that will just mess you up.

 

[Bagumbawalla]

Would your question be the same if you were running to make a groundstroke rather than a dropshot?

If you see that you may just barely have time to reach the ball- so, then do you wait until you get there to make preparation for a stroke? Well, to answer your questio- obviously not.

If at all possible, you want to be ready to do something with the ball once you get there. As you are moving, get your reacket out, back, up... wherever it needs to be, so you can volley, slice, drive, smash, topspin, lob, whatever... and then place the ball where it needs to go.

 

[Cindysphinx]

The other thing I have noticed about what Bagumbawalla says is that getting your racket ready actually makes you hit a better shot. You have this huge head of steam to get to the ball. It is easy to knock it off the court if you have a rushed stroke in addition to your forward momentum. If your racket is ready -- out in front if you are in real trouble -- then it is just a matter of touching the ball to at least get it back.

 

[LeeD]

Retrieving a decent drop shot, you only need to block it deep for a clean winner, since you're close to the net like inside the baseline lots.
So just have the racket in front of you, and a short little punch will move the ball deep into one corner or the other, and can be disguised into a drop shot or angle.... or lob if the opponents reads your drop attempt.....