Learning to play the Cross-Court Drop Volley
Straight Drop Volley | Cross-Court Drop Volley | Straight Drop Shot | Cross-Court Drop Shot
The Cross-Court Drop Volley can be a lethal shot when played well, as it allows a great angle for attempting to hit the nick – the juncture where the floor meets the side wall.
It doesn’t have to be geared towards hitting the nick though, as you might also aim to hit closer to the middle of the front wall so that the ball will bounce twice before the side wall, giving your opponent little time to retrieve it. It is typically used when an opponent has played a loose ball which has come out close to the middle. As with a Straight Drop Volley, it is usually played at a slow pace and can also be very effective as a serve return, as well as when you are on the T-Position or in front of your opponent.
The drawback of the Cross-Court Drop Volley when compared to the Straight Drop Volley is that it is more high risk, as it can bounce out and allow for an easy return for the opponent if the length and pace isn’t judged well. It doesn’t stay as close to the side wall as a Straight Drop Volley. If the ball is close to the side wall, it is best to look for a Straight Drop Volley.
Make your Cross-Court Drop Volley better with one additional step, whilst following the steps listed below for a good Drop Volley:
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Opening your body – When going for a Cross-Court shot short, it is often easier to use a very open stance. Going beyond the position where you face the corner for a Cross-Court Drive, for a Cross-Court nick it is often easier to hit the shot with the majority of the body facing the front wall.
- Face the front corners – When playing a Drop Volley, try to step towards the front corner of the side of the court you are on. This helps create a good angle for hitting your Drop Volley tight to the wall or even in the nick.
- Open racket face – You should always have an open racket face (if you don’t you should check your grip) but here you might want to open the racket face that little bit more to give you a bit more spin.
- High to low swing – Get your racket up above the ball so that you can easily execute a high to low swing and bring the ball down low.
- Long & slow follow through – When you are making contact with that Drop Volley, don’t prod or poke it into the corner. Make sure you guide the ball into the corner with as long a follow through as you need. The contact between the ball and your strings should be long.
→ Check out our other related Volley pages:
Straight Volley Drive | Cross-Court Volley Drive | Straight Volley Lob | Cross-Court Volley Lob | Volley Boast | Volley Reverse Boast | Straight Drop Volley | Cross-Court Drop Volley | Volley Nick
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