Tip from Pro Player, Collin Johns

There’s one shot that can completely change how you control a rally: the forehand roll drop. It’s simple, effective, and once you get the feel, you’ll wonder how you ever played without it.

As a DUPR user, you can get free access to training videos from Pickleball 360, where Ben Johns, Collin Johns, and Dekel Bar break down shots just like this. Over 200 lessons, all levels, all taught by the best in the game.

Click here to access the complementary training videos.

What Is a Forehand Roll Drop?

A forehand roll drop is a drop shot hit with topspin from the baseline into the kitchen. Unlike a flat push drop, this version adds spin to make the ball more aggressive while still controlled.

Adding topspin to your drop provides several benefits:

• Gives you more margin over the net. This reduces the chances of drops falling short.
  
• Applies added pressure on your opponent. The topspin brings the ball down sharply, often right at their feet.
  
• Becomes increasingly effective at higher levels. When consistency and precision matter most, the roll drop is both the safer and smarter option.

Both flat and roll drops can work, but the topspin version is often the preferred choice at higher levels because it combines safety with offensive potential.

The Keys to Generating Topspin

1. Paddle Angle

To generate topspin, your paddle face should be flat or slightly closed. Unlike open-faced drops, keeping the paddle flat allows you to drag upward on the ball, creating spin.

Think of it less like catching and releasing (as in tennis) and more like letting the ball “drag” along the paddle face as you pull up.

2. The Follow-Through

Your follow-through is critical. If you swipe across your body too much (like a windshield wiper), the ball leaves your paddle too quickly and won’t spin.

Instead, finish on the same side of your body where you started. For right-handers, that means keeping the paddle on the right side and finishing high by your head.

Combined with using your legs to get low and lift, this follow-through maximizes spin and control.

Trajectory and Spin

The trajectory of a forehand roll drop depends on how far underneath the ball you start. Bend your knees, get low, and lift from underneath to create the desired arc.

• The ball should travel with a slight arc, not flat.
• The topspin will “tumble” the ball down into the kitchen.
• This combination creates a drop that’s harder to attack and gives you more margin for error over the net.

Stance and Contact Point

Your stance sets up your success. Rotate your hips, shoulders, and core through the shot. Use your muscles to provide the little bit of power needed, not your arm. The arm should act only as the delivery system.

For consistency:

• Avoid reaching or cramming to the point where you have to crunch
• Move your feet so you can strike from that same comfortable position every time.

The more consistent your contact point, the more reliable your roll drop will be.

Why the Roll Drop Matters

The forehand roll drop is a weapon. With topspin, you can:

• Clear the net safely.
• Land the ball at your opponent’s feet.
• Take control of rallies by turning defense into offense.
  

At higher levels of pickleball, this shot often separates solid players from great ones.

To recap the mechanics of the forehand roll drop:

• Keep a flat or slightly closed paddle face.
• Use an upward swing to create topspin.
• Finish your follow-through on the same side of your body.
• Remember your stance so that you have comfortable and consistent contact without reaching.

Mastering this shot takes practice, but once it’s in your game, it will open up more opportunities to control rallies and win points.

Free Training for DUPR Players

DUPR members can grab complimentary videos from Pickleball 360, customized to your level. Just fill out a quick form, and you’ll get pro tips sent right to your inbox.

👉 Get Your Free Videos

‍

About Pickleball 360: 

Pickleball 360 is a premier instructional video subscription platform co-founded by top professional players Ben Johns, Collin Johns, Dekel Bar, and Bic Houser.

Pickleball 360 provides in-depth, high-quality pickleball instruction curated by some of the most accomplished athletes and coaches in the sport. The platform features a comprehensive library of over 200+ instructional videos, catering to players of all levels, from beginners learning the basics to advanced and semi-professional players seeking to refine their skills, strategies, and mental approach. 

Subscribers have access to multiple flexible options, including monthly and annual memberships, as well as the ability to choose from customized packages and video bundles tailored to specific skill levels, topics, or areas of focus such as footwork, dinking, or advanced tactics. With this personalized approach and elite-level instruction, Pickleball 360 stands out as one of the most trusted and effective resources for player development in the rapidly growing sport of pickleball.

About Pickleball Getaways: 

Pickleball Getaways is a unique travel experience co-founded by professional pickleball players Ben Johns and Dekel Bar, who launched the company in the early stages of their athletic careers. Fueled by a shared passion for the sport and international exploration, they envisioned a way to merge world-class pickleball instruction with unforgettable vacations and turned that vision into a reality through their skill, work ethic, and entrepreneurial spirit.  Today, Pickleball Getaways brings players of all levels to breathtaking destinations around the globe, offering immersive clinics led by elite pros and curated experiences that go far beyond the court. Ben, widely considered the greatest player in pickleball history, brings his unmatched skill, signature one-handed backhand roll, and engaging teaching style to every getaway. Dekel is a top 5 professional pickleball player and also a former top-ranked tennis player from Israel, known for his explosive Erne and love for travel. He leads the way in choosing destinations; his favorite being Croatia in 2022. Together, Ben and Dekel make Pickleball Getaways the only place to consistently learn from the best, both on and off the court.

Enjoy $125 off your next trip with the code DUPR125.

‍