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Pro Tip #1
Developing a Good Drop Shot
Prepare
When
executing a drop shot from a good position, as you approach the ball, bend
low at the knees and turn your shoulders to the side wall.
At the same time, tilt your
racquet open at least 30 degrees and backwards so that the handle is
slightly in front of the head. Firm up your wrist, but don't make it too
stiff. Stop all movement for an tiny instant by planting your feet firmly
on the floor. You want to feel as if your legs are bracing you and you are
about to press open a door with your the heel of your hand.
Caress
the Ball
Press the
racquet forward and down slowly and firmly so that the ball leaves it
with some backspin. Keep pressing the racquet head forward firmly 6-12
inches past the point of contact. The extra little distance will ensure
that you don't hit too softly and catch the tin. Focus on
firmness as the primary feeling.
Former World Champion Abou Taleb of Egypt, known for his
gifted shotmaking, instructed students to "caress
the ball". This is good advice because he created the notion of how you
should feel as you make
contact. I would humbly add that you caress with your entire hand, not
merely your fingers -- as if you are combing through the hair on the back
of a large dog.
The
height of your racquet will depend largely on the height of the ball at
impact. For shots that are made from above the waist, use more downward
pressure. From below the waist, use more forward pressure. For "pickups"
where the ball is more distant from you and below the level of the tin, use
a little lift. Make sure you are well balanced and lunge as low as
necessary to be able to get under the
ball.
Since the
racquet moves more slowly with drops than with hard drives, the ball doesn't
spring off the strings much. So it is essential that you direct the ball
firmly. In all cases, press
firmly through the point
of impact.
The
Targets
After
leaving your racquet, the ball should touch in succession (a) the front wall
2-6 inches above the tin (b) the floor (c) the side wall after the first or
second bounce. The goal is to offer your opponent little opportunity to
reach and strike the ball cleanly because it is low and near the sidewall
after it hits the floor. You'll catch more nicks this way too! Hit too
hard and your shot will touch the side wall too soon and squirt towards the
middle of the court, placing you at risk of being in your opponent's path to
the ball. Swing too softly and your shot will catch the tin.
Recover
Central Position
Retain your
central position or backpedal quickly toward the center of the court. Allow
space for your opponent to move in a straight line to the ball (no blocking!)
If you are
far up in front and more in the middle of the court, back up laterally to the
center, then toward the T. If you very close to the sidewall, move backwards
along the wall, then laterally to the T. If your shot is low and tight to the
wall and you anticipate that your opponent will be forced hit a weak return,
keep your body and racquet in position to next drive or volley the ball deep to
the back - for a winner!
Warning:
attempting to hit drops when you are fully stretched and/or in a poor position
is usually very risky! In these cases use a high lob to reset the rally. Avoid
attempting low percentage shots unless you have no alternatives.
Practice
Repeat the sequence by yourself until you can do
everything automatically, smoothly and in quick succession:
Legs/feet:
bend - stop - plant - brace.
Racquet:
open/back/up early - press firmly, forward/down - follow-through -
Recover!
Ball: front
wall - floor - side/nick
Master this and your opponents will soon find
themselves lunging and scraping the ball off the side walls and floor from
appalling positions. Spectators however will applaud your exquisite
touch and precision! |
