DROPSHOT SECRETS

Why do players hit drop shots? There are several reasons:

• Opponent is far behind the baseline
• Opponent is slow or has a slow reaction on short balls
• To change a rhythm and surprise
• They get physically exhausted during a long rally

It is important to know that the drop shot is a type of slice (continental grip is needed) so the underspin is used (in combination with side spin sometimes). Therefore, drop shot is a little bit more challenging on forehand side because of the change of grip.

It is highly important to have an ability to hide the intention of hitting a drop shot in order to hit an efficient drop shot. The best moment to hit this shot would be a situation where a player can hit an aggressive shot, while a ball with topspin bounces toward him.

1. The player pretends and makes the backswing like he is going to hit long topspin or flat shot
2. Changes the racket angle (and grip if needed) when passes the body level
3. Adds a lot of underspin trying to not hit too high

If a drop shot is well hidden, even imperfect execution can bring the point.

 

 

Underspin is important because it keeps the ball low after the bounce and on this video you can see Djokovic’s favorite, backhand drop shot. You can also notice how Gasquet was surprised and didn’t react well after this well hidden drop shot. He expected another deep backhand from Novak. It is recommended to hit a drop shot mostly down the line, because the time that the ball spends in the air is shorter compared to cross court direction.

On the next video, Sock uses the fact that Basilashvili is far from the baseline, expecting a big forehand and hits the winner without spending energy. It is one of the great things about drop shot!

It can become quite a problem if a player excessively uses this shot. He/she can become very predictive, but also can start losing the focus on developing basic game and shots. At the end, drop shot should be one of the weapons in everybody’s game.

On the last video you can see a drill where the player works on disguise. Just before the player hits a shot, the coach shouts “SPIN!” or “SLICE!” , where spin means deep topspin or flat and slice means a drop shot. Only if the player makes the regular backswing will be able to execute both commands in the last moment. By doing that, he will develop a nicely hidden drop shot!