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Unlike the dink, which is also a drop shot played near or in the NVZ (Non-Volley Zone), the drop shot is a delicate groundstroke over the net with a reverse underspin. Use the drop shot to trap an opponent who is poorly positioned or in the wrong part of the court. By using a camouflage preparation, you slightly open the racket face to create an underspin, keeping the ball low after the net. It will not bounce forward, forcing the opponent to run. The backhand stroke and follow-through are shortened into a “U” shape.
The grip is the same as for standard groundstrokes. Rotate your shoulders immediately in response to the incoming ball, as if preparing for a groundstroke. Keep the racket face at shoulder level during the shoulder turn to disguise your shot. Hit and advance with a closed stance. Then, position the racket above the ball and let it drop with a slightly open racket face. During the follow-through, keep the racket face above the wrist, finishing the “U” shaped movement slightly under the ball.
Drop shot and drop volley techniques come from the same family as the volley and the chopped approach shot, all using underspin. By focusing on softly returning the ball over the net with a drop shot, you reinforce your underspin technique. To understand the drop shot, start near the net without generating force in your stroke. Use the underspin and “U” movement to make the ball bounce in place or come back towards you. Mastering this will make you more confident and skilled at playing the drop shot from the baseline.
The drop shot is a key technique for learning to change the rhythm and spin of the ball as well as its bounce. The success of a drop shot depends on your positioning at the moment of the strike. Position yourself inside the baseline, never outside it. Move your opponent out of position or to the back of the court before attempting a drop shot, unless your opponent is already very tired. The drop shot is also effective on a service return.
The better you camouflage your shot, the better the result will be. Start the drop shot like a groundstroke (or even a volley). The disguise of your shot before the drop shot will create doubt in your opponent’s mind.
Your success also depends on the margin of error you allow yourself and your expectations for the shot. Consider the following to optimize your action:
These three factors influence the drop shot, the stroke itself, and its effectiveness, even if it is not necessarily a winning shot. A well-executed drop shot can lead to a weak return, setting up your next shot.
Relaxed arms are crucial for fluidity in a stroke. In the ready position, the arms should be relaxed, slightly bent in front of the body. The opposite hand holds the heart of the racket to facilitate a forehand grip.
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