ok, I can understand why you clear to the middle, but why do you netdrop to the middle?

Maybe because the person can't drop to the sides?....:confused:
Dropping in the middle makes the oppenent take the shot easier I think, that's why most players don't drop in the middle.

actually, in doubles, if you watch the international tourneys, they prefer to drop to the middle.

i can think of a couple reasons.

- possible confusion between players is one
- easier for the front player to intercept the flat returning lift
- limits the return angle of the lift.

notice you didn't say whether it is for doubles or singles. it is much easier on us if you were more specific.

hendrawan drops it many times to the middle in the first game against Xia in the olympic 2000,i while into the game.
Why don't he lift it then? afraid of Xia smash? it looked like hendrawan took those smashes easy.

My main reasons for hitting dropshots to the middle, in doubles, would be both create confusion and reduce oppositions angle. If they lift they have less angle from which to move you out of position. More importantly, the angle for a cross-court net shot is greatly reduced. If you drop to my left forecourt (I am right handed) and I read it quickly enough I can play a tight, fast cross-court net-shot or a straight net-shot with my backhand. If you play to the middle forecourt, forcing me to use my forehand I have the straight but not a cross-court shot without playing a risky glancing shot.

Related to what Slanter wrote, if you--and your partner in doubles--are in the center when your opponent hits, you (or your partner) are in a better position to get to any kind of a return. This may be most important in doubles with hitting smashes and drops, as the front player of the hitting team has a better chance of intercepting the return because it has to pass near the center. It's about giving your opponent as little to work with as possible.

is ole talking about doubles or singles