The forehand drop shot
What the drop shot is for, how to make it look like a smash, and a progression of drills from a hanging shuttle to a game.
What it is for
The drop shot goes from your rear court to your opponent's forecourt. A long drop lands just beyond the front service line; a shorter one lands between that line and the net. You play it from your attacking rear court to:
- make room for yourself in the rear court;
- pull your opponent off balance;
- encourage a lift that you can attack.
Step by step
- Get ready. A basic grip, the racket in an overhead ready position, the front arm raised, and a side-on stance.
- Load. Push up and forwards off the rear leg, drive the rear hip forward, and turn the arm outwards as the shoulder and elbow move back.
- Hit. Turn the upper and lower arm inwards and reach the shuttle above, or slightly in front of, the hitting shoulder. Just before contact the rotation of the arm stops and you push through the shuttle. This is what slows the shuttle down.
- Finish. The rear foot lands and becomes the new front foot. Be ready to move to the net.
The idea behind it
The start of the movement is the same as for a smash or a clear. The change comes just before contact, when you slow the racket head. If the preparation looks the same, the opponent has less time to read what is coming.
Common mistakes and fixes
- The shuttle drifts high and floats over the net. You slowed too much or hit too low: reach up and keep the contact in front.
- Netted shots. The shuttle needs a little more push through; aim a little higher.
- Slow preparation. If you take your time, the opponent reads it. Prepare with the same speed as for a smash.
- Always the same drop. Mix short and long ones, straight and cross-court.
Simple practice
- A hanging shuttle at a relaxed height: step back, load, jump, throw and slow the racket just before the strike.
- An underarm feeder places a shuttle high; play the same movement. Then use a racket feed and add targets.
- Drop shot, lift, drop shot, lift in a rally pattern.
- In a game, 3 points when a rally is won with a drop shot or the shot immediately after it.
Limits
Where a drop shot works best depends on the level and the position of the opponent. At a high level the same stroke is played at speed and much steeper; this lesson describes the shape of the stroke, not tactical advice for a given match.
General practice advice: play within your limits and stop if something hurts.