high ball

Annabel DunnillCoach, England

Hi Samala,

Improving your high ball contact point and footwork in tennis requires a combination of drills and exercises to enhance your skills. Here are some effective drills to help you:

High Ball Feeding Drill:

• Have a practice partner or coach feed you high balls consistently.
• Focus on getting into the right position with your feet and maintaining balance.
• Use a continental grip for better control when hitting high balls.
• Practice hitting the ball at its highest point, ideally above shoulder level.

Cone or Ladder Drills:

• Set up cones or use a ladder to work on agility and quick foot movements.
• Perform different footwork patterns around the cones or ladder, mimicking the movements required for high balls.
• This helps improve your ability to quickly adjust your position on the court.

Shadow Drills:

• Without a ball, practice shadowing the movements you would make during a high ball point.
• Focus on the split step, lateral movements, and getting into the correct position to hit the ball at its highest point.

Ball Machine Drill:

• Use a ball machine to simulate high ball situations.
• Adjust the machine to deliver balls with varying heights and spins.
• Practice your footwork and shot preparation to handle different high ball scenarios.

Annabel DunnillCoach, England

Reaction Drill:

• Have a partner randomly feed balls to different areas of the court, including high balls.
• React quickly to each ball, working on your footwork and timing for high ball contact.

Serve and Volley Practice:

• Incorporate serve and volley drills into your practice sessions.
• This forces you to move forward quickly and adjust to balls that may bounce higher due to your opponent's return.

Fitness Training:

• Include strength and conditioning exercises in your training routine to improve overall fitness.
• Stronger legs and core muscles can contribute to better stability and balance when dealing with high balls.

Remember to maintain a consistent practice routine and gradually increase the difficulty of the drills as you improve. Additionally, seeking guidance from a coach or experienced player can provide valuable feedback and help fine-tune your technique.

Hope this helps.

Archie