The serving team starts every point at a disadvantage: they must let the return bounce while the other team gets to the net. The third shot is how they claw back to neutral.
Target the middle or the weaker player's backhand. A crosscourt drop has more court to land in and a lower net to clear. Plan the fifth shot too: if the third is only decent, expect to hit another drop from the transition zone.
Keys to remember
- Crosscourt drops are higher percentage
- Aim at the middle to create confusion
- Be patient: it may take a fifth and seventh shot to get in