A vital part of raising your skill ceiling as a pickleball player is learning about all the different ways you can strike the ball since there are more than a few techniques that many experienced players will deploy depending on how and where they want to hit the ball.
This includes the drop shot, arguably pickleball’s most advanced technique which does take a good amount of practice to master, but that is also well worth learning due to how much more strategy it can add to your game, along with knowing how to counter it when you’re facing a drop shot ball.
If you feel that you’re ready to learn about this popular technique, or if you keep getting bested by it and want to know why a drop shot is causing you so much trouble, below we have compiled a full breakdown of this tricky but popular strike.
What Is A Drop Shot?
A drop shot is a very precise shot that doesn’t require too much power and is used by players to attempt to bounce the ball into their opponent’s no-volley zone.
While it can sound fairly easy in practice (Check out How To Practice Pickleball Alone), executing a drop shot perfectly each time to where you don’t overextend the ball and land it in the non-volley zone is incredibly difficult.
In fact, while it can commonly be seen being used by top 4.0 players in tournaments, even they tend not to rely on it too much since it can easily go wrong and cause the ball to go haywire.
When Would You Hit A Drop Shot?
There are a few different reasons why someone would decide to hit a drop shot considering that it is such a strategic technique and can be deployed for a variety of different situations.
Here are some of the most common reasons why someone would decide to use a drop shot:
Covering Ground
A drop shot can help a player gain time to cover ground and get closer to the kitchen line.
Rather than a player needing to prioritize striking the ball hard enough to cover a decent distance, drop shots are designed to only reach the non-volley zone, meaning you can spend more time moving around your side of the court since the opponent will often be stationed further back and will need to maneuver themselves in order to make a return.
Throwing Off The Opponent
There are not many scenarios during a match that the ball will land in the no-volley zone since while players can legally reside in this space, they tend to stay away from it since it restricts them from being able to hit the ball first time, and the chances of a ball bouncing in this small area of the court is usually very unlikely.
This means when the ball is bounced in this area, it can force the opposition to move out of their preferred position and lunge for the ball to make a return.
Additionally, executing a drop shot means that there will be less power on the ball and therefore, the ball will not bounce as high as it would normally.
This forces the opponent to re-arrange their stance and positioning which can make it a lot easier for them to make mistakes.
Initiate A Softer Dink Rally
When you’re in the middle of a rally, all it takes is a little too much power to cause the ball to overextend.
By using a drop shot, you can initiate a much softer rally which, for many players, also feels more stable and reliable since the ball is going to bounce much lower and won’t cover as far of a distance.
How To Hit A Drop Shot
As mentioned previously, many regard the drop shot to be the hardest technique in all of pickleball, so try not to be too hard on yourself if you fail at executing it more than a few times, after all, even the pros can struggle to hit it when they need to.
If you have a good grasp of the basic swinging technique however and want to try your hand at a drop shot, these are the main steps to follow:
Maintain a loose grip and bend your knees so that you are under the ball.
Prepare a push shot with little to no wind-up behind the swing.
Aim for the middle of the opponent’s kitchen area so that the ball doesn’t land too close to the net.
Strike the ball in an upward lifting motion while remaining under it so that you create an arc motion with your shot.
Make sure the highest point of the ball (The apex) is over your kitchen side of the court. This will ensure that it lands on the opposing kitchen side due to gravity.
Keep your forward momentum going as you follow through with the shot without adding on any extra power throughout so that the ball lands in the kitchen area of the court.
Can You Serve Using A Drop Shot?
While they are most commonly used in rallies, as of 2021 the USA Pickleball governing body has introduced a new rule that allows a player to perform a “drop serve” which is essentially the same technique as a drop shot that can be used when serving.
If the player wants to put a little less power on their serve and keep the ball closer to them, they therefore have the option to drop the ball and serve it after it bounces.
The ball can be dropped from any height, however a player is not allowed to throw the ball down in order to achieve a higher bounce.
Summary
A drop shot is one of the hardest techniques to learn in pickleball, but it is also one of the most rewarding if you can manage to pull it off during a match.
When you feel like you’re ready to give this technique a try, give it a bit of practice before deciding to execute it in a real game.
Pickleball has been played for decades, and it is a great way to let off some steam, engage in friendly competition, and improve your fitness levels.
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