What Is A Drop Shot In Tennis?
Contents
A drop shot in tennis is a low-hitting shot that just clears the net and then drops down into the service box.
What is a drop shot?
A drop shot is a tennis stroke in which the ball is hit gently and landed just over the net into the opponent’s court, forcing them to move forward to reach it. This stroke is used to take advantage of an opponent who is at the back of the court, and can be difficult to execute successfully.
Why use a drop shot?
When executed properly, a drop shot can be an extremely effective tool in a tennis match. It can catch your opponent off guard, force them to play an awkward shot, and help you gain control of the rally.
There are several reasons why you might want to use a drop shot in a tennis match:
– To surprise your opponent: A well-executed drop shot can take your opponent by surprise and give you an advantage in the rally.
– To make your opponent run: A drop shot forces your opponent to sprint forward to retrieve the ball, which can take them out of position and tire them out.
– To force an error: A drop shot is often used when your opponent is positioned at the back of the court. By hitting a drop shot, you force them to come up with a difficult passing shot.
– To set up a winner: A well-placed drop shot can be very difficult to retrieve, giving you an easy winner.
When approaching the net, keep in mind that a drop shot is much different than a lob. A lob is designed to clear the net by a large margin and land deep in your opponents court, whereas a drop shot is hit with just enough height to clear the net and land short in your opponents court.
When to use a drop shot
A drop shot is a tennis shot in which the ball falls just over the net and bounces very low, making it difficult for the opponent to return. It is typically used when the player’s opponent is at the back of the court and expecting a high, deep shot.
A drop shot can also be used as a surprise element in matches, as players will often expect their opponents to play more aggressively. For example, if a player has just hit a beautiful cross-court forehand, their opponent may be expecting them to try and hit another winner. In this case, a drop shot can be an effective way to catch your opponent off guard.
drop shots are usually not used very early in the point, as they are high-risk shots that can easily result in an easy winner for your opponent if they are not properly executed. Instead, drop shots are typically used later in the point when both players have had a chance to size each other up and there is a greater chance that your opponent will not be expecting it.
When hitting a drop shot, it is important to keep the following points in mind:
– The ball should only just clear the net – if it doesn’t, there is a good chance your opponent will be able to reach it and hit a winning shot.
– The ball should bounce very low – if it bounces too high, your opponent will have time to adjust and get into position to hit a strong return.
– Drop shots are usually played cross-court – this makes it more difficult for your opponent to reach the ball and gives you more time to get into position for the next shot.
How to hit a drop shot
A drop shot in tennis is a low-risk shot that falls just over the net and bounces softly into your opponent’s backcourt.
To hit a drop shot, you’ll need to:
Approach the net
Use a light grip and forehand stroke
Keep your wrist firm
Make contact with the ball just after it bounces
When hitting a drop shot, aim for the middle of your opponent’s court. This will give you the best chance of getting the ball over the net and making it difficult for your opponent to reach.
If you’re using a western grip, orient your racket so that the bevels are pointing down. This will help you keep your wrist firm and make contact with the ball at the correct angle.
Drop shot tips
Drop shots are used to confuse and surprise your opponent. The goal is to hit the ball just over the net so that it bounces very short, making it hard for your opponent to reach.
Here are some tips for using a drop shot effectively:
-Use a backspin so that the ball doesn’t bounce too high.
-Aim for the corners of the court – this will make it harder for your opponent to get to the ball.
-If your opponent is at the back of the court, try to drop the ball just over the net so that it bounces in front of them – this will make it difficult for them to reach.
-Be prepared to run forward to retrieve any balls that are hit back over the net.