Crossword Genius

Scratching head, orthopod's performing skilful manœuvre (4-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

drop-shot

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

'skilful manoeuvre' is the definition.
'drop shot' can be an answer for 'manoeuvre' (drop shot is a kind of manoeuvre). I'm unsure of the 'skilful' bit.

'scratching head orthopod's performing' is the wordplay.
'scratching head' means to remove the first letter (the word\'s head is removed).
'performing' is an anagram indicator.
'orthopods' with its first letter removed is 'rthopods'.
'rthopods' is an anagram of 'DROP-SHOT'.

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I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.
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