Description:
Jerry Jaffe
When executing a pickleball drop shot, using a loose grip with relaxed hands with allow you to play a soft shot deftly into your opponent’s Non-Volley Zone (also known as the kitchen). Here are a few key techniques to remember:
1 – Lift with the shoulder. Eliminate as much wrist and elbow movement as possible to ensure maximum control. Too much movement can make it hard to control the paddle, leading to inconsistent shots.
2 – Hit the underside of the ball. If you hit the back of the ball with your paddle, you’ll send the ball deeper into the court. Hitting under the ball produces a higher trajectory, which is desirable for a drop shot. This allows you to lift the ball over the net and drop it into the Non-Volley Zone.
3 – Step in to contact the ball. When you step into the ball, it allows your legs and hips to help the shoulder when lifting the ball upward. This provides more support and better balance for hitting a controlled shot.