The Drop Shot

[KhaosBaseliner]

So i was playing with one of my friends who is more experienced than me and he was saying that i have a great game... but it lacks one important little detail that would make me win matches. The drop shot. I was looking for some tips or maybe even some videos of how people hit there own drop shot... i would also like to see some disguised drop shots from a 2bh because i hit with two hands

Thanks

 

[cukoo]

I was going to ask the same questions. Murray and Djokovic has a great backhand drop shot.

 

[KhaosBaseliner]

yea... i have been watching some of there matches... but i dont wanna model my game to much off a pro... i started off doing that and then all i did was copy... so im trying to stay away from watching pro's to much

 

[Mr. Hokey]

a good exercise in developing the touch for hitting a drop shot, is, first you find a partner. then you toss a ball back and forth using your racquet, catching it each time. not bouncing it back forth, actually catching it with the racquet. cradling it so that it doesnt bounce on the strings.

once you can do that consistently, you should have the touch for dropshots.

 

[Slazenger]

How good is your slice?

I find it's easier to teach (and for student to get) the dropshot if you have the mechanics for a good slice already.

A drop shot is basically a much shorter slice with more backspin. You don't drive through as much and you add more backspin to reduce the forward momentum of the ball after it bounces.

Don't break the wrist at contact. Your drop shot will pop up and become a sitter.

THe path of the racquet will mimic the shape of the letter J, with contact with the ball on the long part of the J, not the curved part.

Hope this helps.

 

[Pusher]

So i was playing with one of my friends who is more experienced than me and he was saying that i have a great game... but it lacks one important little detail that would make me win matches. The drop shot. I was looking for some tips or maybe even some videos of how people hit there own drop shot... i would also like to see some disguised drop shots from a 2bh because i hit with two hands

Thanks

I'm sort of in the Brad Gilbert camp with the drop shot. If you're in position to hit a dropper then you're in position to hit a solid ground stroke and which is the higher percentage shot?

I see a lot of people hit droppers because the are tired of the rally-sort of a "lets get this over with" type shot.

Plus, for a niche shot, it takes a lot of practice you could have used for ground strokes. That one shot will not make you a winner.

 

[Slazenger]

^^^^
THis does not preclude one from learning how to hit the shot.

 

[Slazenger]

I'm sort of in the Brad Gilbert camp with the drop shot. If you're in position to hit a dropper then you're in position to hit a solid ground stroke and which is the higher percentage shot?

You should have a look at this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Yvd2BtoF8

Some others
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOMOBH9ZKfo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pahWPxY_zaY

 

[Slazenger]

For the OP:

THis is a great slow-mo of the 'J' path I was trying to describe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw_iwY6o_d4&feature=related

Notice how he doesn't break the wrist and 'dish' the racquet/having it face the sky.

 

[rosenstar]

So i was playing with one of my friends who is more experienced than me and he was saying that i have a great game... but it lacks one important little detail that would make me win matches. The drop shot. I was looking for some tips or maybe even some videos of how people hit there own drop shot... i would also like to see some disguised drop shots from a 2bh because i hit with two hands

Thanks

Is your friend that experienced a player? Drop shots do not win matches. the best drop shots are used as either mix-ups or set up shots. No one (extremely rarely at least) hits drop shot after drop shot in hopes of winning a match. You can use it as an approach shot, or toss it in every now and then, but you should never try to "win" a match using drop shots.

so overall, a drop shot is a good shot to have, but one you should use carefully. when using it, make sure you're inside the baseline, and on the offensive. otherwise, you might give away the point to your opponent

 

[sapient007]

i find it to be close to ping pong's back hand slice motion.

 

[Pusher]

^^^^
THis does not preclude one from learning how to hit the shot.

Of course not.

 

[KhaosBaseliner]

Is your friend that experienced a player? Drop shots do not win matches. the best drop shots are used as either mix-ups or set up shots. No one (extremely rarely at least) hits drop shot after drop shot in hopes of winning a match. You can use it as an approach shot, or toss it in every now and then, but you should never try to "win" a match using drop shots.

so overall, a drop shot is a good shot to have, but one you should use carefully. when using it, make sure you're inside the baseline, and on the offensive. otherwise, you might give away the point to your opponent

He was just saying if i could mix it up into my game to throw people off... he wasnt saying to make it my only shot or anything.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Drop shots can be very effective against players who don't move forward quickly or against players who are not comfortable with volleying. It can be a great change-up against other, quicker players if it is well-disguised and hit well in the right situations (particularly on short balls or when the opponent is well out of position).

Drops are generally more effective on clay than on hardcourts. It is not advisable to hit drop shots from the baseline unless you are playing on clay.

 

[jasoncho92]

I used to have a really nice drop shot lol, but somehow, as i got better it got worse. I know a guy who is probably a 2.5 but he can somehow consistently hit drop shots that only go 2 feet past the net.

 

[Solat]

i am in total agreeance with rosenstar, you must be a VERY complete player if a drop shot is the next thing for you to tackle. There are so many more important shots in the game, i do not doubt their effectiveness when done right but i also know their ineffectiveness when not done right.

look at it like this;
missed short : lost pt into net
done well : win pt, double bounce
slightly overhit : pt continues, low ball puts opponent into attacking net position
badly overhit : lost pt via put away

the odds are not stacked in your favour on this stroke.

 

[desilvam]

I know a guy who is probably a 2.5 but he can somehow consistently hit drop shots that only go 2 feet past the net.

If he is a 2.5, his regular groundies probably go 10-20 feet past the net, and the 2-5 feet ones are probably his short groundies

 

[Frank Silbermann]

i am in total agreeance with rosenstar, you must be a VERY complete player if a drop shot is the next thing for you to tackle. There are so many more important shots in the game, i do not doubt their effectiveness when done right but i also know their ineffectiveness when not done right.

look at it like this;
missed short : lost pt into net
done well : win pt, double bounce
slightly overhit : pt continues, low ball puts opponent into attacking net position
badly overhit : lost pt via put away

the odds are not stacked in your favour on this stroke.

That depends on your age group. Against players in the 70s and 80s even a poor drop shot can be effective.

 

[TravelinMan]

One of my favorite shots is a drop shot service return, especially from the ad side (I'm left handed). This type of return really seams to mess with peoples heads. It can be an especially effective shot in doubles as well if the server is not particularly quick.

 

[rosenstar]

One of my favorite shots is a drop shot service return, especially from the ad side (I'm left handed). This type of return really seams to mess with peoples heads. It can be an especially effective shot in doubles as well if the server is not particularly quick.

yeah, but drop shots on service returns are sometimes regarded as unsportsmanlike, similar to an underhanded serve.

 

[drhopz]

yeah, but drop shots on service returns are sometimes regarded as unsportsmanlike, similar to an underhanded serve.

LOL Michael Chang. Dirty, dirty man.

 

[Jonny S&V]

yeah, but drop shots on service returns are sometimes regarded as unsportsmanlike, similar to an underhanded serve.

Really, no wonder players hate me. The drop shot has always been and always will be my best shot. I'm not one of those baseline bludgers, and it's always a way to end the point since I'll hit it and come in. To the OP:
Work on hitting the ball cleanly and hold on to the racquet loosely. Always watch the ball into the racquet. When someone hits a drop-shot, they typically pull there eye away to make sure their opponent isn't sneaking in. Always dedicate yourself completely to the dropper, never cahnge your mind in the process of swinging.

 

[Nellie]

To develope a good drop shot from either side, change your grip to abut an western backhand. This means that when you put your hand like you are going to shake hands with someone, the racquet face should be horizontal. Hit the ball with a lot of underspin and a good arch, so the ball rises up about ten feet before the net and is dropping fast when crosses the net. In practice, you should get the ball to bounce at least 4-5 times in the service box regularly before trying the shot in a match.

Also, hit the drop shot down the line (over the high part of the net) , and only when the ball is short so you can come into the court and hit with more control and less arch. If you hit the drop shot down the middle, you make it to easy for the other player to get to the ball and too east to hit a response.

In reading your post, I would say you don't need a dropshot, you need a good slice backhand to change up the point. Your slice can change up the pace and location of the rally with a low margin for error.

 

[Jonny S&V]

To develope a good drop shot from either side, change your grip to abut an western backhand. This means that when you put your hand like you are going to shake hands with someone, the racquet face should be horizontal. Hit the ball with a lot of underspin and a good arch, so the ball rises up about ten feet before the net and is dropping fast when crosses the net. In practice, you should get the ball to bounce at least 4-5 times in the service box regularly before trying the shot in a match.

Also, hit the drop shot down the line (over the high part of the net) , and only when the ball is short so you can come into the court and hit with more control and less arch. If you hit the drop shot down the middle, you make it to easy for the other player to get to the ball and too east to hit a response.

In reading your post, I would say you don't need a dropshot, you need a good slice backhand to change up the point. Your slice can change up the pace and location of the rally with a low margin for error.

HUH? Western Backhand to hit a drop shot. Maybe if you want to break your wrist.

 

[Slazenger]

To develope a good drop shot from either side, change your grip to abut an western backhand. This means that when you put your hand like you are going to shake hands with someone, the racquet face should be horizontal. Hit the ball with a lot of underspin and a good arch, so the ball rises up about ten feet before the net and is dropping fast when crosses the net. In practice, you should get the ball to bounce at least 4-5 times in the service box regularly before trying the shot in a match.

Just wondering, do you coach?

 

[chess9]

Just wondering, do you coach?

Hopefully he coaches the Russian Davis Cup team.

Use whatja' got. There is nothing wrong with a drop shot if you know when and how to use it. There is nothing unethical about it either. It's a staple of my game because I play against quite a few older guys who never saw a drop shot they wanted to get.

-Robert

 

[Mountain Ghost]

Drop Shot

The great thing about SOME coaches is they create a lot more business for the rest of us . . . when we have to fix the good work they’ve done.

A drop shot is a last split-second decision, and should be practiced as such. Start occasionally throwing them into your regular hitting sessions, and be sure to thank your hitting partner for letting you practice them.

MG

 

[Landshark]

Does the J motion also apply to drop volleys, or is that a whole different beast?

 

[Noveson]

Does the J motion also apply to drop volleys, or is that a whole different beast?

I think drop volleys are a whole lot easier than regular drop shots. On drop volleys, there isn't really a J motion, it's much more abbreviated. Basically you just try to catch the ball, your racquet drops and opens as the ball is contacting the strings. It's more like the lower half of a C In a normal volley position, on the forehand side, your palm would be facing the opponent, on a drop volley however, your palm should end up almost facing the sky instead.

 

[wmrhawk]

not a bad play after an exhausting long rally. by that time i may not have the strength to hit a great put away winner, plus the last thing i want to see at that point is to have my opponent hit a dropper, so i'll try to beat him to it. then, of course, it's time for a lob. this combo can be maddening and demoralizing.

 

[timokabo]

I'm sort of in the Brad Gilbert camp with the drop shot. If you're in position to hit a dropper then you're in position to hit a solid ground stroke and which is the higher percentage shot?

I see a lot of people hit droppers because the are tired of the rally-sort of a "lets get this over with" type shot.

Plus, for a niche shot, it takes a lot of practice you could have used for ground strokes. That one shot will not make you a winner.

taking any advice from brad gilbert is bad, he sucks. he gets fired by every player he coaches because he was a one dimensional player

 

[Jonny S&V]

taking any advice from brad gilbert is bad, he sucks. he gets fired by every player he coaches because he was a one dimensional player

Wow, even though I don't like him personally, you can't say he is a bad coach.

 

[Noveson]

taking any advice from brad gilbert is bad, he sucks. he gets fired by every player he coaches because he was a one dimensional player

Wow, you are an idiot. I'm sorry, he might be annoying, but how else can a player get from, having no strokes or talent, to beating the world's top players? Because that's what he did with himself.

 

[DraGoNoFfiR3]

Federer has a good slice bh but a not so great dropshot

Murray doesnt have a great slice bh but has a good dropshot

Same with Djokovic

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

taking any advice from brad gilbert is bad, he sucks. he gets fired by every player he coaches because he was a one dimensional player

You're joking, right? Gilbert was the antithesis of a one dimensional player. He was able to to beat players that supposedly had much better strokes than himself cuz he was a very intelligent player -- his game entailed numerous facets.