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preparation DRILLS
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1/2 Court lob start

One player starts on the base line with the other players at the net. The point starts with the player on the base line hitting a lob over the player who is stood at the net. The net player must recover by running around the ball and play the ball back into the opposition's side of the court. Point is now live.

Lob

Attacking forehand off center

Coach feeds an easy ball down the middle of the court. Player moves forward and hits an agressive forehand to the deuce side. Player then moves forward to take up a proper position at the net.

Forehand Drills

Backhand slice

Although it's possible to hit a slice from two-hands players should be encouraged to play this shot with one hand as it is far easier and more versatile. Use lots of small steps to prepare and position yourself for the shot - feet should run parallel with the tram lines. Bring the racquet up in preparation for the shot, with your second hand gently holding the throat of the racquet (this hand will release before the shot is played). Swing forward and downward towards the ball (the more downward momentum the more spin will be applied to the ball)

Backhand Drills

Forehand inside in

The coach feeds balls to the player's ad side from the opposite end of the court. Starting from the centre of their baseline the player, who stays on the balls of his/her's feet, moves into position and hits forehand inside in between two cones placed in one corner of the opposite end of the court.

Forehand Drills

Inside-out Forehand

Coach feeds the ball down the lineThe player starts in the middle and runs round to hit an inside-out cross court forehand to the target areaAlternatively a target can be positioned down the line and every third stroke can be hit to that direction

Forehand Drills

Killer Doesn't Always Mean Power

Coach feeds short balls to one side. Player alternates between aggressive drive and drop shot.

Attacking

Mix the height

Get the player to stand on the baseline in preparation to receiving the ball. Coach begins by feeding the player two low ball and then two higher balls on the player's backhand side. Player responds with consistent backhand.

Backhand Drills

Recovery Habits - Backhand

This drill teaches how to achieve good positioning on the court. Coach tosses balls to the one side, and the player hits the ball and recovers to the proper spot. If the shot is cross court (yellow cone), player recovers to the closer (yellow) cone. If the shot is down the line to the red cone, player has to go to the further (red) cone.

Backhand Drills

Recovery Habits - Forehand

This drill teaches how to achieve good positioning on the court. Coach tosses balls to the one side, and the player hits the ball and recovers to the proper spot. If the shot is cross court (yellow cone), player recovers to the closer (yellow) cone. If the shot is down the line to the red cone, player has to go to the further (red) cone.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

Sideways one leg hurdle

The player stands sideways to the hurdles (right side). The player jumps sideways on right leg over the hurdles.

Agility & Fitness

Don't let it bounce Volley Dri...

Player stands on the baseline. Coach feeds a moonball. Player moves inside the baseline and hits a groundstroke drive in the air.Drill specifications:1-4 repetitions per setWith less players on the court coach can increase the number of repetitions to allow players to hit few strokes in a row. Waiting players can do figure 8 drill around the cones to work on the important aspect of the forehand in the air - adjustment steps. With more players coach can make them switch after one shot to keep the drill dynamic and improve anaerobic endurance at the same time.

General

Developing Coordination- Progr...

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.

General

Hitting on the Rise Forehand D...

<br>Player stays on the baseline. Cones are set behind the player. Coach feeds deep higher balls. Player takes the ball on the rise and hits aggressively. Cones prevents the player from moving back.

General

Forehand Smash Drill Smash Dri...

Coach, 1 player, and basket of balls. Player starts by running forward and touching the net. At this point the coach feeds a high ball towards the T junction of the service box. Player back peddles to be in a position to play a forehand smash, then runs forward, touches the net, and the drill is repeated. Drill is continuous.

General

Recovery Habits - Backhand Mov...

This drill teaches how to achieve good positioning on the court. Coach tosses balls to the one side, and the player hits the ball and recovers to the proper spot. If the shot is cross court (yellow cone), player recovers to the closer (yellow) cone. If the shot is down the line to the red cone, player has to go to the further (red) cone.

General

Backhand slice Backhand Drills...

Although it's possible to hit a slice from two-hands players should be encouraged to play this shot with one hand as it is far easier and more versatile. Use lots of small steps to prepare and position yourself for the shot - feet should run parallel with the tram lines. Bring the racquet up in preparation for the shot, with your second hand gently holding the throat of the racquet (this hand will release before the shot is played). Swing forward and downward towards the ball (the more downward momentum the more spin will be applied to the ball)

General

Keep it low Volley Drills - Te...

The player wears resistance band attached to the waist and ankles. The coach feeds the balls to the forehand side, and the player hits only forehand volleys in a low dynamic position.

General

Controlled wide ball Backhand ...

The coach stands in front of the player. The coach throws difficult ball to the backhand corner, the player then sprints, slides and hits neutral/defensive ball.More and more players are able to really hit the ball from the baseline so there are many situations during the match when we are under time pressure. Being able to survive these critical moments can be a deciding factor about who will win the match so players have to work in these conditions during practice session to develop automatic responses.

General

Baseline scenario Forehand & B...

The coach feeds fast ball to deuce side. The player runs and hits deep forehand cross-court. The coach immediately feeds drop shot to ad side, the player then sprints and hits deep backhand slice down the line.

General

Full acceleration Forehand Dri...

Coach stands next to the player. Coach quickly throws the balls. Player fully accelerates and hits all balls as fast as possible.Max 4-5 repetitions per setThis drill is really demanding from the physical side so number of repetitions should be adjusted to the player fitness preparation. Too many reps will not bring good results because of the tired arm as also can be responsible for player’s injuries of the shoulder. Between the sets with the coach other players can work on specific drills with medicine ball/bands to strengthen the shoulder area.

General

Forehand split step Forehand D...

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.

General

Make your run count Forehand D...

Coach and player rally together using backhand cross-court shots. Coach hits random drop shot down the line. Player runs and hits counter drop shot cross-court to win the point.

General

Learn to use upper body Foreha...

Player takes ready position. Coach throws ball to the forehand side. Player doesn't move legs and hits forehand. Player has to use only upper body to hit the ball.

General

Get it Deep with Slice Forehan...

Coach feeds balls to the deuce side.Player uses forehand slice to hit the ball deep.

General

Drop and lob Lob - Tennis Dril...

The coach feeds the ball to the backhand side, and the player hits backhand drop shot down the line and moves forward. The coach comes then to the net and feeds the ball to the backhand side. The player finishes with backhand volley lob cross-court.

General

Developing Coordination- Progr...

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.

General

Basic Backhand Technique- Prog...

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.

General

Kangaroo Jumps Agility & Fitne...

Player performs kangaroo jumps.Player should bring knees as close to the chest as possible.

General

Killer Doesn't Always Mean Pow...

Coach feeds short balls to one side. Player alternates between aggressive drive and drop shot.

General

Underspin doesn't mean underpe...

2 players rally together in cross court direction. Player A hits all the balls offensively. Player B hits consistent slice shots to keep the ball low after the bounce.Drill specifications:5-10 min per sideWith more players on the court coach can use different approaches according to the goals he wants to achieve. If players need repetitions coach can switch both hitting players after particular number of shots (3 each) to make this drill more dynamic. If players lack of physical preparation better solution is to make 2 players work for a 1 minute while others can perform specific fitness drills. At one time 4 players can work on this aspect (2 playing forehands and 2 playing backhands)

General

Attacking forehand off center ...

Coach feeds an easy ball down the middle of the court. Player moves forward and hits an agressive forehand to the deuce side. Player then moves forward to take up a proper position at the net.

General

Dungeons Junior Tennis - Tenni...

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.  

General

Backhand rally inside the cour...

The player rallies with a coach using only backhand strokes and has to stay inside the court during entire rally.

General

Cross-court strategy for advan...

The coach feeds the ball to the deuce side (close to the sideline). The player hits forehand angle cross-court and quickly comes to the net and the coach feeds another ball to the ad side. The player finishes with backhand volley cross-court.

General

Pass your opponent Passing Sho...

The coach sits on chair inside service box. The coach's position imitates opponent's position, then feeds ball to deuce side and moves racquet to the right side. The player runs to the ball and hits forehand cross-court passing shot away from coach's racquet.

General

preparation SESSIONS
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Pre-tournament automation

Leave no stone unturned in your player?s preparation for their next tournament with this session

Forgotten Variety - Playing Backspin

To implement backspin as a variety that puts more pressure on the rival and understand tactical opportunities of playing slice in different situations.

Engaging The Body In The Forehand

To pay attention to the work of the lower and upper body in the forehand and to understand how physical progress can help in achieving more quality shots on the court.

Backhand slice: Useful defence to change pace and speed

Can your players backhand slice like the Williams sisters? Find out with this defensive backhand slice session!

Forehand: Attacking on the Move

Step forward and meet the ball at the top of its bounce to strike a thumping forehand. Use this session to work on footwork and improve players' forehands
preparation ANSWERS
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Backhand grip

In Nick Saviano's book, Maximum Tennis, Andre Agassi is said to have a very 'soft' left hand on his backhand, and yet often I hear and read many tips suggesting a very dominant, or active, supporting hand for the two handed backhand. Especially now, with the more semi-open stanced players, what should I suggest when teaching the backhand to developing players?

Archived User Coach

How do you beat someone who is clearly inferior but?

How do you beat someone who is clearly inferior but just keeps the ball in play?

Archived User Coach

how can i make a 4 week plan for preparation for tennis?

how can i make a 4 week plan for preparation for tennis tournament i'll play

Archived User Coach

high ball

hi what is the best drill to improve high ball contact point and footwork.

samala ashok Coach, India

how can i make a 4 week plan f...

how can i make a 4 week plan for preparation for tennis tournament i'll play

Archived User Coach
preparation COMMUNITY DRILLS
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How to hit a forehand for beginner tennis players

To the middle

Highvolley-DS.mov

To the outside

From the smallest to the largest playing field

Contrôler le Terrain avec le Coup Droit

preparation WEB VIDEOS
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