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David W. Smith, TennisOne, Senior Editor

While the skill to hit a 130 mph serve or a huge topspin groundstroke would be considered a weapon by almost everyone who has held a tennis racquet, there is one shot that is both feasible and effective at virtually all levels: The Drop Shot.

From inside the baseline McEnroe easily end the point with this drop shot winner.

In terms of technique, the shot is fairly simple. Yet, because of improper learning patterns, the drop shot can be as foreign as trying to hit a ball with the non-dominant hand! And, yet, as players advance, the effectiveness of the drop shot, when hit properly and strategically, can continue to be used successfully right up to the pro level.

Grip Foundation

Like the volley and the serve, the best grip for the drop shot is the continental. While some may be able to hit a drop shot with an eastern grip or even a semi-western, the continental provides the most control, both in terms of spin and touch. The problem with many is they learned to volley with the rudimentary eastern forehand and backhand grips. Not only do these grips tend to prevent more advanced and effective volleys, they tend to prohibit a player from hitting effective drop shots.

Technique

The drop shot is similar to both the volley and the slice drive. Like both of these strokes, the drop shot is hit with a high to low swing path creating slice (or underspin) on the ball. The main difference in both of these shots compared to the drop is the contact point and the speed of the swing. The drop shot has the racquet cutting more of the underside of the ball whereas the drive and the volley are hit more down the back of the ball. On all three shots, the player will want to create a racquet path that is more in line with the target. This will build consistency in directional control.

Trajectory

Once a player can hit with consistent underspin on the drop, they will want to experiment with the trajectory. Obviously, too high, the drop shot will bounce high giving your opponent enough time to get to the ball and counter it effectively. However, too low, the ball will bounce forward and towards your opponent, also allowing him to reach it in time. The ideal drop shot has a trajectory that limits both of these aspects.

Spin

While a certain amount of underspin is desirable, attempting to hit too much underspin will increase the difficulty of timing and touch of the shot. This is because to hit more underspin, we must swing with greater force to enact more spin. Hitting with finesse and touch is greatly influenced by the amount of force imparted to the swing.

Where and Where

Ideally, try hitting your drop shot from the same situation you would normally hit an offensive approach shot. That is, usually from the area of no-man's land which is between the service line and about three feet inside the base line. Further back, you have to hit nearly a perfect drop shot because, from this greater distance, the ball will remain in the air longer giving your opponent time to react. If you are any closer to the service line or inside it, you might be giving up a more effective drive or topspin winner.

Guillermo Coria beautifully disguises this forehand drop shot.

Strategically, hit most drop shots down the line in singles, and crosscourt in doubles. If the drop shot you hit feels like a good one, follow it in to the net. Your opponent will likely have trouble just getting to the ball. If you close in, you force him to hit a more difficult and precise shot past you, increasing the likelihood that he will make an error. Also, the most normal response players have to a drop shot is a drop shot back! By coming to the net, you take away almost 90% of the court and make this type of response extremely difficult. If your opponent does manage to make a return, you will have about 90% of your opponent's court to volley his shot into!

Experiment hitting drop shots in practice as well as in competition. If you play a person who is a human backboard from the baseline, bring that fellow into the net with a drop shot and see how comfortable they are up there!

(Click link to purchase Dave Smith's book, Tennis Mastery, at tenniswarehouse.com