How to Hit a Drop Shot in Tennis

A drop shot in tennis is a low-risk, high-reward shot. When executed properly, a drop shot can catch your opponent off-guard and lead to an easy point. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to hit a drop shot in tennis.

The Grip

There are a lot of different grips that can be used for a drop shot, but the most important thing is to hold the racket in a way that feels comfortable for you. Experiment with different grips until you find one that works well for you. For a traditional drop shot, you will want to use an eastern backhand grip.

The Continental Grip

Curl the fingers of your right hand around the tennis racket’s handle and place your thumb along the top edge of the handle. The V shape created by your thumb and index finger should point to your right shoulder. This is called the continental grip and gives you more control over low shots and drop shots.

The Eastern Grip

In tennis, the eastern grip is a grip that is similar to the continental grip, but it is rotated a quarter turn clockwise. This grip is often used for backhand strokes and is also known as the semi-western grip. It can give the player more power and top spin on their strokes.

The Western Grip

One of the most popular grips in tennis, the Western grip is named after players who used it back in the day such as Pancho Gonzalez and Manuel Santana. This grip is executed by positioning your hand on the racquet as if you were going to shake someone’s hand. Your index knuckle should be be positioned on bevel two, with your thumb and pinkie wrapping around the side of the racquet. The Western forehand grip gives players more topspin and power than any other grip. To hit a slice with a Western grip, simply rotate your hand clockwise so that your palm is facing more towards the ground.

The Stance

The best way to execute a drop shot is by having the same grip on the racket for both a backhand and a forehand. You will need a continental grip for this. This will be your default grip when holding the racket. You can also use an eastern forehand grip, but this is not necessary. When you are in the continental grip, your palm will be facing down and your thumb and forefinger will be close together.

The Open Stance

An open stance is when your feet are pointing towards the net, and your body and racket are open to the court. This is the most common stance for all strokes, since it gives you the most options. You can easily adjust your feet to hit any shot from this stance. From an open stance, you can either hit a cross-court shot or a down-the-line shot by simply turning your feet. You can also quickly get into a closed stance from an open one just by turning your feet and body into the court.

The Semi-Open Stance

A semi-open stance is a happy medium between an open and closed stance. Your feet should be parallel to the baseline, and your non-dominant foot should be positioned slightly closer to the net than your dominant foot. From this position, you’ll have more options for where to hit the ball, making it easier to keep your opponent off balance.

The Closed Stance

When you execute a drop shot, you need to hit the ball with an extreme amount of topspin while keeping the ball low over the net. Because of this, you’ll need to be in a closed stance. A closed stance is when your feet are perpendicular to the baseline and your non-dominant foot is in front of your dominant foot. For a right-handed player, this would mean your left foot would be in front of your right foot.

The Shot

The drop shot is one of the most important shots in tennis. A drop shot is a slow, soft shot that just clears the net and then falls sharply down into your opponent’s court. It is usually used when your opponent is at the back of the court and you are at the net.

The Backhand Drop Shot

One of the most difficult shots in tennis is the backhand drop shot. This shot requires excellent timing, hand-eye coordination, and a lot of practice.

Here are some tips to help you master this difficult shot:

– Practice your backhand stroke with a racket that is strung with lighter gauge string. This will help you develop a light touch.
– Position yourself close to the baseline when hitting your backhand drop shot. This will give you more time to react to your opponent’s shot.
– When hitting the ball, make sure to brush up on the ball with an assist from gravity. This will help ensure that the ball drops quickly and doesn’t float long over the net.
– Use your non-dominant hand to guide the racket head when making contact with the ball. This will help you maintain control of your stroke and keep the ball from sailing long.

With these tips in mind, head out to the court and start practicing your backhand drop shot!

The Forehand Drop Shot

Executing a drop shot can be one of the most gratifying moments in tennis. Hitting a good drop shot not only wins you the point, but it also demoralizes your opponent. A drop shot is hit with an underhanded motion and lands just over the net, causing your opponent to come running up to the net only to watch the ball drop just out of reach. A forehand drop shot is hit with your dominant hand and is one of the most common types of drop shots hit in tennis. Hitting a successful forehand drop shot requires good technique, practice and a bit of strategy.