You have them exactly where you want them.
They are behind the baseline. Off balance. Hitting from a spot they do not want to be in.
And then you drop the ball softly into the kitchen.
They step in. Move forward. And just like that they are right back at the kitchen line with you like nothing happened.
This is one of the most common mistakes players make without even realizing it. The drop feels like the smart play. But when your opponent is already stuck back there, it is the one shot that lets them off the hook completely.
Sound Like You? Read This.
A drop is always the safe shot, right?
Not when your opponent is already back. A soft drop gives them a short comfortable ball to move forward on. You just made their transition to the net easy.
But I'm at the kitchen. Shouldn't I keep it soft?
Only when it makes sense. If your opponent is already struggling at the baseline, soft is the last thing you want to give them.
So what should I be doing instead?
Keep the ball deep. Every deep shot forces them to stay back, hit under pressure, and earn every inch they move forward.
Do This Instead:
- Hit deep when your opponent is behind the baseline
- Avoid short balls that invite them to transition forward
- Stay patient at the kitchen and wait for a weak ball to attack
- Only drop when your opponent is already at the net, not when they are stuck back
The longer they stay at the baseline, the more likely they are to make an error. You are already at the kitchen. You already have the advantage. Do not give it away with one soft shot.
