Dropshot technique: court position and ball height

What this lesson covers

The dropshot requires specific court positioning to be effective. Players positioned behind the second post face too much risk, as opponents have ample time to reach the ball. The ideal moment to execute this shot occurs only after forcing the opponent deep against the back glass with a strong volley or bandeja.

Successful execution depends on the incoming ball characteristics. Avoid attempting the shot on balls above chest height or below knee height, as these extremes make controlling the spin and trajectory difficult. A medium-speed ball provides the best balance for reducing pace and maintaining touch. When hitting the shot, aim for an angle that forces the second bounce to occur near the side fence or the junction where the fence meets the ground. This placement minimizes the opponent's reaction time and maximizes the difficulty of the return.