Straight Drop

Straight Drop

Although the execution of the straight drop is slightly different from the basic drive, the positioning and preparation are the same. It is the impact and the follow through which define a drop shot. As you are dealing with very fine margins you must, especially when under pressure, be in a strong and stable position to decrease the likelihood of making an error. You have to allow the racquet to finish its follow through. This will take the ball onto it's final (and correct) trajectory. A drop shot does not have to be a winner. It can also be a working shot, bringing your opponent forward.

Straight Drop: Forehand Front Court

Pete's Top Tip: "It is essential when playing the straight drop from the front forehand to get to the pitch of the ball early and maintain a strong and stable position throughout the shot. I personally find this shot one of the hardest to play on the squash court. The technique has to be worked on, as I find that I need to generate pace with my swing on the forehand to feel comfortable on the shot. Therefore, extra diligence is needed to ensure a well played drop shot."

Straight Drop: Forehand Front Court - Keyframe Analysis

1. Approach: I am well away from the ball as I approach this shot. My opponent having boasted, it would have been very easy to head straight for the ball and cramp the shot, which in turn would have minimised my options. The racquet is up, my weight is on my back foot and I am perfectly balanced and ready to deliver.

2. Delivery: As the racquet head comes through, my weight is transferring onto the front foot. My racquet head is still up and there is plenty of space to make any final adjustments. My eyes are intently focused on the ball.

3. Impact: Perfect! (Watch through front view). The front leg is at 90º, my head is still, my racquet face is open and the ball is hitting the strings exactly in the middle of the racquet. My racquet arm is practically fully extended and I am taking the ball out in front of me.

4. Follow Through: After impact I allow the racquet face to complete its journey, taking the ball to its final destination. My body is still perfectly still. Only move when the shot is completely finished.

Straight Drop: Forehand Mid Court

Pete's Top Tip: "As with the drop from the front, it is very important to have a stable position. However, the follow through becomes crucial to the outcome of the shot. As there is such a fine margin of error with this shot everything has to be right for it to succeed."

Straight Drop: Forehand Mid Court - Keyframe Analysis

1. Approach: With the ball coming quite close to the middle I have had to adjust my footwork to make sure I am still able to approach the ball. I am already fully prepared at this stage to hit the shot. As you can see from the clip my opponent has barely finished hitting his shot and is stuck in the back corner.

2. Delivery: Even though I am hitting the ball in the middle of the service box, relative to the side wall and in front of the T line, my back foot is practically still on the T. This ensures the spacing needed to hit the shot successfully. My right arm is out fully extended to help my balance.

3. Impact: The first thing you notice with the impact is how early and high in the bounce I am hitting the ball. My opponent in the background has just completed his exit from his last shot and actually has both feet off the ground. As you can see from the clip, my position is correct.

4. Follow Through: The follow through with this drop from the middle is much more pronounced than the drop from the front. I am really using the head of the racquet to take the ball through to the front corner.

Straight Drop: Backhand Front Court

Pete's Top Tip: "It is essential when playing the straight drop from the front backhand to get to the pitch of the ball early and maintain a strong and stable position throughout the shot. Personally I find this shot a lot easier than the forehand drop. Naturally you create the position and the racquet follows the right trajectory. The same principles apply in each aspect of the shot."

Straight Drop: Backhand Front Court - Keyframe Analysis

1. Approach: Even at the approach stage of this drop I am perfectly ready for the execution. My weight is on my back foot and racquet is up showing the perfect P. By holding this position I am also keeping my opponent back in the court, so when I finally hit the drop he has a greater distance to cover.

2. Delivery: The ball is on the rise and my racquet head is coming down at a steep angle to ensure there is a lot of spin on the ball. You can see in the background my opponent is still two steps behind the T because of my position in the approach and then a very dynamic lunge onto the ball.

3. Impact: What you should notice here is how far in front of me I am hitting the ball. My racquet face is open, my arm fully extended and both front and back legs have 90º angles at all the joints. Also my opponent has now made the ground up to the T but has then had to stop and wait for me to finish the shot. By stopping my opponent in this way he is forced to use a lot of energy to regain any momentum.

4. Follow Through: After impact I allow the racquet face to complete its journey, taking the ball to its final destination. My body continues on the plane of the ball and lifts slightly with my racquet face, willing the ball into the corner.

Straight Drop: Backhand Mid Court

Pete's Top Tip: "As with the drop from the front it is very important to have a stable position. However the follow through becomes crucial to the outcome of the shot. As there is such a fine margin of error with this shot everything has to be right for it to succeed."

Straight Drop: Backhand Mid Court - Keyframe Analysis

1. Approach: With the ball coming across the middle, I have had to adjust my footwork to make sure I do not end up too close to the ball. I am already fully prepared at this stage to hit the shot. As you can see from the clip my opponent is still in the left service box. I am trying to hit this shot early to put him under pressure.

2. Delivery: Having arrived early to the ball my position is strong and correct. The racquet head is ready to attack the ball from an acute angle.

3. Impact: My opponent in the background has just completed his exit from his last shot and actually has both feet off the ground. As you can see from the clip my position is correct. I am hitting the ball fully extended with an open racquet face and my eyes are again firmly on the ball.

4. Follow Through: The racquet head here does not go as much towards the corner as it should. My body starts lifting up too early and, as a result, the ball hits high on the front wall and lets my opponent back into the rally. This is the only part of the shot that has let me down. I should have stayed on the ball longer and followed the shot through to its conclusion.