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Tennis: Returning a smash

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Nail, Tennis coach

DESCRIPTION

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.

COACHING POINTS

The power of the shot and the bounce of the ball after the smash are completely different than after a regular forehand or volley, so coaches should spend time on improving these returns.

Knowing how to counter this power (shorter backswing) and how to hit from a higher point of contact (shoulder level or above) are necessary skills to beat many net players.

Hitting a lob is one of the options that players should be comfortable with. and the coach's racquet is a good height indicator for the player to aim for.

PROGRESSION

For more advanced players, the coach can modify the drill and let them play a topspin lob after the smash.

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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...

Side to side safe defense returns:

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.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

Topspin Lob:

The coach feeds a deep ball to hitters.

Players must hit a topspin lob and then return to the back of the line after their shot.

With more advanced players the coach should feed the balls from the back of the opposite side of the court.

Lob

Sticky Volley and Lob:

-Start off by placing a hoop in between the service line and the net(as shown in the picture).
-Players 1 and 2 are playing out the point whilst player 3 is trying intercept the ball that player 2 is hitting.
-The person at the net has to have at least one foot in the hoop at any one time.
-The player on their own has to avoid the person at the net by hitting all the balls wide or lobbed. If the point is won by a volley extra points are awarded.
-First one to 11 points and then swap around.

Lob