Crossword Genius

American pro dropping ball is a big shock (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

afro

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'shock' is the definition.
(shock can mean a mass of hair)

'american pro dropping ball is a big' is the wordplay.
'american' becomes 'a' (common abbreviation - e.g. in organisation names).
'pro' becomes 'for' (I've seen this in another clue).
'dropping' suggests deleting specific letters.
'ball' becomes 'o' (letter resembling a ball).
'is a big' becomes 'o' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'for' with 'o' removed is 'fr'.
'a'+'fr'+'o'='AFRO'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for afro that I've seen before include "Hairdo of the 1960s and 70s" , "Hair in tight curls" , "Shock description" , "configuration of locks" , "Luxuriant (black) hairstyle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app