The drop shot in table tennis

Not every point is won with power. When your opponent is ten feet back waiting for your attack, the most effective shot may be the softest one: a drop shot, the little ball that dies just over the net.

It is easy to understand and hard to do well, because it takes touch, reading the game and disguise. Here is when to use it and how to play it.

What is a drop shot in table tennis?

A drop shot is a short, low ball placed just past the net, so it would bounce twice on your opponent's side if nobody touched it. It works because it forces a player who is far back to rush forward, arrive late and return the ball high, or not get there at all.

It is different from the short push used when both players are close to the table. The drop shot is a tactical weapon against someone who is far away.

When to use the drop shot

• Against choppers who defend far from the table. It is one of the classic ways to pull them out of their comfort zone, as we show in how to beat a chopper.
• Against lobbers. If your opponent has backed way up, a short ball can end the point. See more in the lob.
• After several deep balls. Your opponent gets used to backing up and becomes vulnerable in front.
• Against players who are slow moving forward. Moving in and out is harder than moving side to side.

Avoid the drop shot when your opponent is close to the table. They will reach it easily and attack your short ball.

How to hit a drop shot

1. Set up as if you were going to attack, so you do not give away your intention.
2. Let the ball come close to your body. The earlier you take it, the easier it is to control the height.
3. Open the racket slightly and relax your hand: the grip is lighter than when attacking.
4. At contact, absorb the ball with almost no forward motion. The racket can even give back a little.
5. Aim just past the net, with the ball crossing low.
6. Recover your position: if your opponent gets there, their return will be short or high.

With spin or without?

Backspin makes the ball bounce and "die", sometimes even drifting back toward the net, the same principle as the ghost serve. To understand how each spin behaves, read what is backspin.

Disguise is half the shot

An obvious drop shot is an easy ball. To fool your opponent:

• Use the same setup as your attack. The change comes only at the very last moment.
• Look toward the back of the table before you hit.
• Mix it with deep balls. The drop shot works best when your opponent expects the opposite.

Common mistakes

• Ball too high: if the drop shot pops up, your opponent arrives and attacks. Keep it low over the net.
• Ball too long: if it bounces near the end line, it is not a drop shot, just a slow, easy ball.
• Stiff hand: a tight grip keeps the ball lively. Relax at contact.
• Wrong moment: against someone close to the table, a drop shot hands them the point.
• Standing still afterward: if they reach it, you need to be ready for the next ball.

A simple drill

With a partner playing far from the table, play three deep balls and then a drop shot. Mark an area 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in) past the net and count how many drop shots land in it. Then let your partner try to reach and return them, so you also practice the next ball.

Frequently asked questions