350 Series: Skills & Drills Lab

Drop ShotsĀ & Drives

Takeaways & Training Tasks

Keep the momentum rolling with these quick steps:

  1. Refresh your memory with the 2 skills, 2 drills, and training video.
  2. Knock out the drills 2–3x before we meet again.
  3. Each time you play, pick one skill and make it your mission to useĀ it often and on purpose.

Drop Shot

  • Grip: Continental or Eastern Forehand/Backhand
  • Stance: Open or Semi Open based on set up to the ball
  • Paddle Prep: 1/2 back swing with a low to high swing planeĀ 
  • Contact Point: Out in front of body and off to the side with weight transferring forward through the shot
  • Follow Through: Out in front

Drop Shot Collector

  • Set up target rings in the outside quadrants of the NVZ.
  • 1 player at NVZ and 1 player at baseline.
  • NVZ player feeds balls to baseline player and keeps track of how many
    drops they hit in the NVZ.
  • Set timer for 1 min rounds. Count how many drop shots baseline player can
    land in NVZ or diving just behind the NVL in the 1 min round.
  • Repeat and see if you can beat your own time or compete with your drilling
    partner.
 

Top Spin Drive

  • Grip: Eastern Forehand or Backhand
  • Stance: Semi Open pushing through the shot
  • Paddle Prep: 3/4 back swing with a low to high swing plane
  • Contact Point: In front of the body and off to the side, transfer weight forward through the shot. Lead with top edge of the paddle
  • Follow Through: out in front to the opposite shoulder with non dominant
    hand acting as counter balance

Drop or Drive Skinny Singles

  • Place cones 2/3 back in service box for a parameter on depth.
  • Players set up on the baseline straight on skinny. This is played down the line only.
  • Players play out full points from serve on but are only allowed to hit to the
    half of the court that they started on.
  • Players are making choices on their 3rd shot whether to drop or drive.
  • Play out 3 rallies and then switch positions during allotted time for equal
    play.

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