How To Drop Shot In Tennis
In tennis, there are a number of shots which, if you’re able to master, will make you a particularly dangerous player to play against. One such example is the drop shot.
If you’re able to learn the art of the drop shot in tennis, there are heaps of aspects of your game that will improve. If hit correctly, at the right moment in time, with just the right amount of power, you’ll have your opponent scrambling to reach the ball in time, and if they are able to get there in time, you’ll have more of a chance to pick up the point with your next shot.
Most players assume that power is everything in tennis. Now, don’t get us wrong, a powerful serve or volley can be a devastating shot to deal with for your opponent, but power isn’t everything. Sometimes it pays to focus on accuracy and softness. This is especially true with a drop shot.
If this is a part of your game that is lacking, master the drop shot and your game will improve no end. Here’s a look at how to drop shot in tennis.
What Is The Drop Shot In Tennis?
Before we can start practicing the shot, we need to make sure that you know exactly what it is.
Put simply, a drop shot in tennis is when you softly and methodically hit the ball over the net, so that it barely clears the net, and falls short in the court. This is a great shot to hit when your opponent is out of position, or stood near or behind the baseline, as it will have them running to reach the ball and return a shot before it bounces.
The perfect drop shot will barely clear the net, and will land as close as possible to the other side of the net. The key here is to time it so that your opponent is not able to return a stroke before the ball lands and bounces twice.
If they are, you’ll have a better chance to lob them with your next shot as they’ll be standing so close to the net.
The Difference Between a Slice and Drop Shot In Tennis
Though similar, a tennis slice and a drop shot are not the same.
With a slice, backswing is very similar, though is a little shorter for a drop shot. This is deliberate because you don’t want power here. In fact, you’re looking for the exact opposite.
The main difference between a slice and a drop shot lies in the racquet face. With a drop shot, you want to hit under the ball more, so you’ll open the face of your racquet up more. There is also a shorter follow through, as you want to land the ball as close to your opponent’s side of the net as possible.
How to Drop Shot in Tennis
It may be a tricky shot to master, but on paper, the drop shot is surprisingly simple.
Use a Continental Grip
The best grip to use when hitting a drop shot is the continental grip. This is the same grip you would use when hitting a volley or a slice. The continental grip is the most versatile grip in the sport of tennis. For right-handed players, it is where the index finger’s knuckle is located on bevel number 2 on your racquet.
This grip feels most natural to most players and enables them to control the power and spin on the ball.
Backswing and Racquet Face
The swing path on a drop shot is similar to a slice. The main difference here is that you’ll have a shorter backswing.
Open up the face of your racquet, and really swing to get underneath the ball. This will let you hit a much softer shot, with enough sidespin and backspin to cause it to bounce away from the opponent, thus making them work even harder to get there in time. Make sure you don’t follow through as much, and you’re all set.