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Tennis: Side to side safe defense returns

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DESCRIPTION

Hitting on the run is a skill that has to be practiced often because players must learn to control the distance between the body and the ball and how to hit the shot while still moving.

In this exercise, the player aims for the middle of the court because it is the best defensive tactical return. This is because there is more court to aim for and the middle of the net is lower.

Players should also know that hitting on the run forces them to lose time as they stop, change direction and recover.

So tell your players to aim high over the net to gain additional recovery time while the ball is in the air.

COACHING POINTS

Hitting on the run is a skill that has to be practiced often because players have to learn to control the distance between the body and the ball and how to hit the shot while still moving.

In this exercise, the player aims for the middle of the court because it is the best defensive tactical return. This is because there is more court to aim for and the middle of the net is lower.

Players should also know that hitting on the run forces them to lose time as they stop, change direction and recover.So tell your players to aim high over the net to gain additional recovery time while the ball is in the air.

This drill is a great exercise to improve technical (slice), tactical (middle of the court), physical (endurance) and mental (perseverance) skills.

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RELATED PLANS...

Defensive Skills and Tactics - Responding to Pressure

Take the sting out of attacking shots with this defensive skills and strategies plan - to help your players return smashes, hit on the run and keep the point alive

OFTEN USED WITH...

Returning a smash:

Player feeds an easy lob to the coach, who then returns with a smash shot.

The player has to return the coach's shot using a defensive lob and then a forehand slice - note the coach should hold his/her racquet obove his/her head after the smash to give the player a target to aim over.

Repeat the drill, but the coach should hit the smash so the player has to return it using a backhand defensive shot and then a slice.

Lob

Deep position returns:

The player stands deep behind the baseline, with the coach on the service line (on the player's side of the court).

The coach then feeds the ball to the player so he/she has to hit a defensive forehand back over the net.

Once the player is able to hit forehands successfully ask them to return using a backhand stroke.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

Warm up: one leg jump rope:

Players should perform their regular warm up activities based on running and dynamic stretching. The coach should also set up physical exercises related to the session's topic.

Introduce jump rope to raise the player's heart rate.

Agility & Fitness

Returning a drop shot down the line:

Coach stands close to the net and feeds balls close to the net on the player's side of the court to mimic a drop shot.

Starting at the baseline the player has to run and hit a return drop shot down the line. Cones should be set out to give the player a target to aim for.

Movement

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