Tennis: progression

Player 1 hits a serve, with player 2  trying to return between the baseline and the Throw Down Line (lines are placed according to player's level).

Rally with the coach in a round robin system. Players hit one shot and then run to the back of the queue. For variation use one racquet. After each shot players must pass the racquet on to the next player.

The coach feeds the first ball in and then players have to keep the rally going, running around the ball to play a cross-court forehand into the coned area. So player 1 hits the ball to player 1 on the other team who then returns to player 2 and so on.

Start with one marker on the floor. The player must hit the ball upwards and get the ball to land on the marker, (5 points for each success.)- Now get the players into pairs, taking it in turns to hit the same cone (still 5 points each time.)-Now give them two cones, placed about 1-2 metres apart and get them to aim for each others markers (10 points)They must let the ball bounce before the hit it.-This is now a basic rally.

Players work in groups of 2-6. Players get in a circle and attempt to keep the ball in the air for as long as possible.

DescriptionPlay out the point after the serve and if the returner hits the depth area and eventually wins the point will receive bonus points. Encourages returner to put pressure on opponent.

Descriptionsame as t30031 however if server can make 1st volley a winner they score 2 extra points.

The server then plays out the point and returner gains bonus points if the angled returns hit the designated areas between the service line and the inside tramline and eventually wins the point.

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.

<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. 

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.

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 ('The receiver') and the net. The 'receiver', who is positioned roughly two racket lengths behind the target area, attempts to catch the ball after one bounce. The 'receiver' now becomes the 'sender' and attempts to throw the ball back, using an underarm action, 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 catch the ball (after one bounce) using an underarm action 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.

Player serves from the deuce side and delivers a wide serve, in between the cones. The coach will then hit the ball back cross-court, where the player finishes with a slice down the line, aiming between the cones.This is a progression of the Deuce Wide And Forehand Down Line drill above.

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.

Player serves to the body from the deuce side, aiming through the cones. The coach then feeds a regular ball to the advantage side, and the player finishes with a deep backhand cross-court volley in between the cones on the other side of the court.

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.  

Intention: Develop basic forehand and backhand technique.The group is divided into two- &quot;Hitters&quot; and &quot;Fielders&quot;.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.

Can use this rally as a progression of &quot;Height&quot; drillPurpose:Understanding the importance of lengthStart with a coach feeding the balls from the other side of the net. Only shots landing deep of service line count as &quot;in&quot;. Progress to a rally with 2 Players full courtPlay up to 11 points.Feed underhand for 2 points alternately.

The server then plays out the point and returner gains bonus points if the angled returns hit the designated areas between the service line and the inside tramline and eventually wins the point.

The player starts on the baseline and is fed 3 balls all to the advantage side. The balls should be fed deep, medium and then short. The player hits all of the balls backhand down the line before moving back to the centre of the baseline and then moves forward ready for the next ball.

<B>Description</b><BR>Server has to say which area they are serving to. If they serve into correct area and eventually win the point they receive bonus points.

Coach serves wide from the deuce side, and the player hits a forehand cross-court return, aiming for the ball to bounce in the coned area. The coach then hits a ball again from the deuce side, and the player must come forward and hit a forehand cross-court volley into the coned area.

In partners, give each child a racket. Then, using the racket, the children push the ball to each other. They can stop the ball using the racket, then push it back to their partner when in position. Put cones out as goals to try to hit the ball through. Score points for stopping the ball going through.

Coach feeds 3 balls to the player's deuce side down the line. Standing on the base line, the player moves to their right to meet the ball on their forehand side. The player then returns the ball hitting forehand cross court to the corner of the deuce side between cones. he/she then moves back to the centre of the base line. The coach then feeds the next ball on the players deuce side service line. The player moves foreward and returns using a forehand cross court short to the corner of the deuce side. Player then returns back to the centre of the baseline. Coach then feeds the third ball a few feet beyond the net. Players moves to meet it and agins, using a forehand cross court shot, returns the ball beteen the cones set up on the cross court shot side.

Coach serves wide from the deuce side, and the player hits a forehand cross-court return, aiming for the ball to bounce in the coned area. Modification includes coming to the net after returning and finishing with forehand in the air.

Player stands in the deuce side service box. The coach feeds the ball to the player over the net, differing the height o the ball each time he feeds it. Player should practise alternating the return using a forehand volley and overhead stroke.

Players serve at the targets shown, taking two balls at a time and serving 1 first serve, 1 second serve at each target.After a certain amount of time players switch and repeat the same from the other side.The player with the most targets at the end of the practice wins the drill.If groups are large, players can take it in turns to serve one after the other, and/or also from the doubles serving positions.</div>

Coach serves from deuce side to the T. Player runs around and hits forehand drop shot inside out.

Place Throw down lines (TDL) 1m inside the baseline on the servers sideThe server 2nd serves and the returner is trying to return the ball between the TDL and the baseline. Play out the point after the serve and if the returner hits the depth area and eventually wins the point they get a bonus point.Advanced progression - returner receiving both 1st and 2nd serves inside the baseline or close to the service box.

Player serves from the deuce side and delivers a wide serve, in between the cones. The coach will then hit the ball back cross-court, where the player finishes with a forehand down the line, aiming between the cones that are down the line.

<div class=&quot;practiceText&quot;>The ball is fed in by the coach, or a waiting player, and players 1 and 2 rally the ball, moving each other around the full court in a co-operative manner.Players are constructing points but at a slightly lessened tempo and with greater control. Players work like this for 2 minutes, before one player is replaced by player 3, for the next 2 minutes.The idea is that players are working in this manner for 4 minutes at a time and resting then for 2 minutes until the 24 minutes are completed.</div>