Tennis: forehand development

Intention: Develop basic forehand and backhand technique.The group is divided into two- "Hitters" and "Fielders".Hitters execute the drill, whilst fielders collect balls. Change roles after each player has 5 turns. Coach feeds simultaneously to the player at the front of each queue. Each player hits five balls (outside shot) and moves off the court and returns to the back of the opposite queue (players will alternate between forehand and backhand on each turn).NB: Coach must continue to reinforce key teaching points.

<p dir="ltr">Intention: Develop basic forehand technique. Players line up on one side of the net set up on a short court. Coach on the other side of the net. Coach feeds the ball to the first player in the line. Each player hits the ball 3 times. Shot is a forehand played with a neutral hitting stance and the player is to finish balanced on one foot. Those in the line mimic the shot of the player playing the ball. Once the player has had their three shots, they collect three balls to return to the hopper before joining the back of the line. 

Rings are placed in front of the player. The player rallies with the coach/player and has to perform split step inside the rings before each shot.

The player stands on the service line. Coach then throws a low ball to their forehand side. The player should then run forward, bend their knees and hits the forehand.

Players line up on backhand doubles alley and executes forehands on the run down the line. Opponent moves off from centre and plays next shot crosscourt and plays out the point

Cones are set in front of the player. Cones show the player how they should use their legs while performing a closed stance forehand. Player imitates a forehand closed stance stroke and moves their back leg forward after the shot towards the cone.

Intention: Explore tactical development- &quot;Over and In&quot; and &quot;Hitting into space&quot; Each player starts the game with 3 lives (can be amended depending on time). Players at the front of the line take it in turns to hit a ball fed to them by the coach.  The players keep their lives if they successfully execute the shot by hitting the ball over and in. The player loses a life in one of the following ways: Hitting the ball out. Hitting the ball into the net. Hitting the ball after more than one bounce. Missing the ball.  Once the player has lost all 3 lives they are in the dungeon (coaches side of the net). If the coach or another player in the dungeon catches the ball without a bounce, the player loses a life. The only way out of the dungeon is to catch a shot from another player before it bounces, thus gaining one life.  The player with the most lives remaining at the end of the game is the winner.  

The coach stands next to the player and keeps their racquet in a horizontal position. The player moves their racquet over and under the coach's racquet to imitate a forehand stroke.

Intention: Assess forehand technique whilst developing the principles of rallying.Players start on their various courts. Each of which has a designated score that is progressive (eg 5, 7, 9) and at the discretion of the coach.Where space is limited, courts can be divided in half or thirds to create stations.One player ('The Sender') starts each rally with an underarm throw to a target area on their partners side of the court, which is situated half way between their partner (&quot;The receiver&quot;) and the net.The 'receiver', who is positioned roughly two racket lengths behind the target area, with a racket, attempts to hit the ball after one bounce to a target area on their partner's side of the court, which is positioned roughly half way between their partner and the net.The pair must then continue to throw and hit the ball (after one bounce) until they achieve the score for their designated court/station.If the rally breaks down in any way, the pair must start the rally again from zero on the court/ station they are on.If the players successfully achieve the score for their designated court (or station), they progress upwards (one station) and 'Budge' the pair on the higher station down.If either of the pair lands the ball directly on the target area they automatically progress upwards (one station) and 'Budge' the pair on the higher station down.When a pair achieves the designated score on the highest (top) court they are awarded 1 'golden' point.When a pair successfully achieves a 'golden' point, they attempt another one until they are 'budged'.The game ends when a pair reaches a pre-set number of 'golden' points. Alternatively, the pair with the most 'golden' points at the end of a pre allocated period of time is the winner.

<span style=&quot;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(50, 50, 50);&quot;>Player stands inside the service box.<span style=&quot;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(50, 50, 50);&quot;>Their partner stays on the service line. <span style=&quot;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(50, 50, 50);&quot;>Players rally together and using only a backhand volley, the player tries to hit the zone marked with the cones. <span style=&quot;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(50, 50, 50);&quot;>Partner uses a controlled forehand groundstroke.

Cones are set on both sides of each player, Player 1 rolls all balls cross court. Player B rolls all balls down the line, with both players rallying together for as long as possible.Ability to control the ball in the easiest activities is important to further develop tennis-specific skills. Cooperation is of utmost importance for young players so this skill should be emphasized in each rally exercise.

Great exercise for coordination. Players work on movement (shuffle) combined with control of the upper body what is exact reflection of tennis (movement + control of the racquet). This exercise is great for young players as it is fun and they can cooperate together.

Intention: Develop sending and receiving skills through the use of progressive coordination exercises. Following progression 2 Players stand facing each other on the inside and outside tramlines respectively (in a ready, athletic, gorilla position) Players have three balls, one player starts with 2 and the other with one, and throw the balls underarm between each other. The balls must bounce once before the partner catches the ball. Each player must throw the ball with their right hand and catch the other ball with their left. Once the ball has been caught it must be passed between the hands in preparation for the throw and free up the left hand for the catch. As players master a rhythm, they attempt to increase the tempo.

Intention: Develop sending and receiving skills through the use of progressive coordination exercises.Following progression 3 Players stand facing each other on the inside and outside tramlines respectively (in a ready, athletic, gorilla position)Players have four balls, each player starts with two balls, and throw the balls underarm between each other.The balls must bounce once before the partner catches the ball.Each player must throw one ball with their right hand and transfer the other ball from their left hand to right hand to then receive the other ball from their partner with their left.As players master a rhythm, they attempt to increase the tempo.

2 players play points together. Zone is set in the deep area in the middle on the player A side. Player A tries to win the point by hitting offensively. Player B wins the point if the opponent misses the ball or if he makes 3 defensive shots into the zone.Drill specifications:1-2 points and switchThis drill has a competitive context but players shouldn’t forget about their goals. Players should switch after 1-2 points to keep all players rotating dynamically. Coach can set up a game where 2 teams are playing up to 10 points and they switch defensive/offensive roles after the game is over. While waiting for own turn, coach shouldn’t give any additional drills for players to let them watch others and learn from their decisions.

Coach feeds an easy high ball. Player tries to hit the ball over the shoulder.Drill specifications:6-8 repetitions per setOther players imitate the shot to develop muscle memory and gain faster improvement while waiting for own turn.

Player A hits forehand cross court, forehand inside out and forehand inside in. After this pattern both players play the point out.

The coach feeds orange, and green balls to the forehand side. The player hits only forehands cross-court. If the ball is green, the player has to aim deep. If the ball is orange, the player has to aim short.

Coach stands in front of the player and alternates tosses to forehand and backhand side. Player hits the ball and moves forward, while the coach moves backwards and repeats.Coach stands in front of the player and alternates tosses to forehand and backhand side. Player hits the ball and moves forward, while the coach moves backwards and repeats.

Coach stands in the advantage corner. Coach and player rally together before the coach moves the player around the court. The player's goal is to make all balls to the advantage corner.

Player keeps cone in both hands.Coach serves to deuce side. Player catches the ball into the cone after the first bounce.Player takes the ball out of the cone and throws back to coach using dominant hand.

Intention: Develop basic backhand technique.Players line up on one side of the net with the coach on the other side of the net.Coach feeds the ball to the first player in the line. Each player hits the ball 3 times. Shot is a backhand played with a neutral hitting stance and the player is to finish balanced on one foot.Those in the line mimic the shoe of the player playing the ball. Once the player has had their 3 shots, they then collect 3 balls to return to the hopper before joining the back of the line.