Justify the use of a tactic playing a drop shot in badminton, its strengths and weaknesses and suggest any improvement to increase performance levels

When playing badminton doubles, drop shots are great to play in the following situations:
- When an opponent is out of position and near the back of the court.
- When your smashes are failing to penetrate their defences.
- After you’ve smashed at an opponent repeatedly( which tends to ‘root’ them to the ground).
- When opponents are getting in each others way (in which case play the drop shot to the T).

However, if you fail to disguise your drop-shots, or hit it too slow, then you and your partner will be very vulnerable to counter-attack. So it is important to practice drop-shots so that you can hit them quickly and accurately, and with the same preparation as a smash or a clear.

Try to avoid these common mistakes with the drop-shot:
- Getting ‘bored’ of smashing and playing a drop shot instead when you have your opponent under pressure.
- Dropping cross court – usually its best to place the shuttlecock in front of your partner so he is in position to cover the return shots without having to move.
- Being too obvious – your preparation for the shot should look identical to your smash preparation.
- Hitting your drop shot too slowly – drop shots in doubles should be played fast – they don’t have to be very tight to the net.

Source: http://badmintondoubles.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/improve-your-badminton-doubles-basic-tactics-overarm-shot-selection/#drop-shot

A drop shot, when played well, pulls the opponent out of position, and having to rush their return. This leaves you with more of the court to aim for.

what are the strengths and weaknesses of a drop shot,and suggest any improvement to increase performance levels