straight drop or slice drop

Discussion in 'Techniques / Training' started by dominikk1985, Oct 29, 2013.

  1. dominikk1985

    dominikk1985 Regular Member

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    pro players seem to use slice drops mostly. what is better for a relative beginner? try slice drops right away or first learn a straight drop?
     
  2. |_Footwork_|

    |_Footwork_| Regular Member

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    You can answer that question yourself, right?

    Should I learn the basics first or start with the complicated stuff?
     
  3. Exert

    Exert Regular Member

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    This is common sense... Obviously the basic stuff, maybe work on your footwork first? Before you start slicing...
     
  4. dominikk1985

    dominikk1985 Regular Member

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    the thing is that I played tennis for a long time so my tendency is always trying to spin balls. I think I have to fight against that because that leads to quite a few misshits.
     
  5. MSeeley

    MSeeley Regular Member

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    You should learn to hit with accuracy without slicing the shuttle for straight drops. For cross court drops, you could learn to hit with slice (regular slice and reverse slice) although the goal is not to impart spin, but to hit a good fast, accurate, cross court trajectory.

    The reason for mastering the shots with accuracy without slice, is this feeds directly to your smashes and clears - the accuracy will be transferred because the technique is the same. Do not bother practising slow drops - make sure they are nice and fast (not half smashes though, thats too fast). Think about tapping the shuttle!

    Good luck!
     
    #5 MSeeley, Oct 29, 2013
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2013
  6. dominikk1985

    dominikk1985 Regular Member

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    thanks. I often tried to hit it like a tennis drop, i.e. just clearing the net slowly and then drop dead instead of hitting it relatively hard to the service line or so. I always thought shorter is better.
     
  7. MSeeley

    MSeeley Regular Member

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    In reality, they are just different types of shot. For beginners, hitting slow and close to the net will work well because you will play against opponents who cannot move properly, and hence you will move them a lot and win the point. However, at a higher level, speed is more important. You do not want your opponent to get to the net early to play a tight net shot/kill, and so a slow looping drop is never a good idea. However, when you are even more skillful, you will, on occasion, be able to make use of a slower drop shot. This is typically used defensively - to recover your positioning in singles (but even this must be hit "firmly" and deeper into the court!), or aggressively in doubles by faking a smash then using a drop (called a stop drop). However, the most important skill to learn first is a good fast drop shot - which is a winner at any level of the game!
     
  8. |_Footwork_|

    |_Footwork_| Regular Member

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    a drop is hardly ever (much) shorter than the service line.
     

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