Tennis: Ball drop speed drill

Player side steps until the coach drops a ball.

The player must catch the ball before the second bounce. Players can also start from a stationary position with heels of the ground or hopping on one leg or criss crossing the legs or with player starting with their back to coach and the coach shouting out when throwing the ball.

Player starts on the service line (facing back fence).

Player shuffles from side to side until when the coach says "GO!" and feeds the ball.

The player's goal is to then turn, react and hit the volley.

Purpose:

learn to move in an "X" pattern under pressure of movement.

Coach feeds the ball in the sequence 1,2,3,4 for each player in turn.

Coach feeds high deep balls to points 1,3 and shorter feeds to 2,4.

Exact pattern of 1,2,3,4 maintained throughout.

Player hits feeds 1,3 deep crosscourt. Feeds 2,4 down the line. Feed in sets of 16 balls.

Players hit one ball before running round the court to the other end.

Each player gets 3 lives and loses one if they make a mistake, or fail to get into position on time. Alternatively players can collect letters for each mistake they make until they spell a work (like donkey).

The winner is the one left standing.

The coach can state at any time for the players to change direction in the way they are running around the court, even mid rally!