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Tennis: returns

returns DRILLS
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Side to side safe defense retu...

Hitting on the run is a skill that has to be practiced often because players must learn to control the distance between the body and the ball and how to hit the shot while still moving. In this exercise, the player aims for the middle of the court because it is the best defensive tactical return. This is because there is more court to aim for and the middle of the net is lower. Players should also know that hitting on the run forces them to lose time as they stop, change direction and recover. So tell your players to aim high over the net to gain additional recovery time while the ball is in the air.

General

3 progressive returns Serve an...

The coach stands on the service line (ad side), and the player starts from the baseline. The coach serves to the T, so that the players hits a forehand return cross-court. After successful hit into the zone, the player moves forward between service line and baseline, and hits another return. After successful hit into the zone, the player moves forward to the service line to execute another return.

General

Doubles returning Serve and Re...

<BR>-Players are positioned in a doubles formation as seen in the picture. <BR>-The server will serve first and second serves as in a game situation.<BR>-The receiver will hit any of the returns as shown in the picture.<BR>-The players can play out the points after the return.<BR>-After approximately 6-10 serves the players swop round so that each player gets to serve and return and from both sides.

General

Returning a smash Lob - Tennis...

Player feeds an easy lob to the coach, who then returns with a smash shot. The player has to return the coach's shot using a defensive lob and then a forehand slice - note the coach should hold his/her racquet obove his/her head after the smash to give the player a target to aim over. Repeat the drill, but the coach should hit the smash so the player has to return it using a backhand defensive shot and then a slice.

General

Return Cross Court Serve and R...

Coach serves from the service line and the player returns the ball cross court.

General

Start the rally with return Se...

The coach serves wide from the deuce side. The player hits forehand down the line return and starts the rally in down the line direction.

General

Deep position returns Forehand...

The player stands deep behind the baseline, with the coach on the service line (on the player's side of the court). The coach then feeds the ball to the player so he/she has to hit a defensive forehand back over the net. Once the player is able to hit forehands successfully ask them to return using a backhand stroke.

General

Tennis: Return and Volley Patt...

Coach serves from the deuce side to the T. Player hits backhand deep return cross court and comes to the net. Coach feeds the next ball to the deuce side. Player finishes with forehand deep volley cross court.

General

Tennis: Serve / Return Point P...

Player 1 is serving and will play a sequence of 4 points against player 2 as follows:Serving from the deuce court player 1 must serve wide. Player 2 must return the shot to player 1's forehand side.<br /><br />Serving from the deuce court player 1 must serve inside. Player 2 must return the shot to player 1's backhand side.<br /><br />Serving from the advantage court player 1 must serve inside to player 2 who must return the ball to player 1's forehand corner.<br /><br />Serving from the advantage court player 1 must serve wide to player 2 who must return the ball to player 1's backhand side.</div>

General

Tennis: Backhand return of ser...

Coach serves to the player from the deuce side. Player moves into position to hit a backhand return cross court. Cones should be placed in the corner of the deuce side to give the player a target to aim for.

General

Deuce Pressure Return Forehand...

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.

General

Connect the Dots Serve and Ret...

Coach serves from Deuce/Ad side. Player returns with forehand cross court. Coach hits the ball back to forehand. Player finishes to the open space.In this exercise, returner works on basic forehand patterns.From deuce side, player returns cross court and finishes down the line.From Ad side, player goes with cross court and finishes with inside in.

General

Serve and Volley Serve and Ret...

Player 1 serves a 1st Serve and follows it in to hit a volley. If returner is finding it hard then serve a 2nd serve. Serve volley behind the returner i.e. to the same direction that the ball came from to wrong foot the opponent.

General

Work like Agassi Serve and Ret...

Andre Agassi was one of the best returners in the game of tennis. He was famous because of his quick hands that he has developed while returning thousands of balls served from the service line.The coach stands on the service line (deuce side), and serves to the T. The player hits backhand return cross-court.

General

Serve and Recover Serve and Re...

Coach is in front of the player. Coach rolls the ball on the ground quickly after player serves the ball. Player's goal is to recover behind the baseline before ball goes between the legs.

General

Returning with Depth Serve and...

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.

General

Cone Serving Serve and Return ...

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>

General

Quicker than regular Serve and...

The coach stands on the service line and serves to the deuce side, then the player returns using forehand down the line stroke.

General

Depth of serve Serve and Retur...

TDL = Throw down lines<BR>Place some TDL 2 feet inside the service line<BR> - Player A only has one serve per point. <BR> - If they serve between TDL and the service line and eventually win the point they score two points but if the serve is short they will only score 1 point.

General

Stay stable after the serve Se...

Player performs a regular serves. The goal of this exercise is for the player to land on his/her front foot and maintain balance on one leg after the serve. The back foot should be in the air.

General

Tennis: Serve and hit the low ...

The player hits a serve to either the ad or deuce side. The coach, who is in front of the player, then feeds him/her a low ball. The player has to react quickly after the serve and hit consistently low and flat returns over the net.

General

Chip and Charge Serve and Retu...

Player 1 only has one serve. Player 2 returns and follows it into the net to volley or smash. The server should not be allowed to lob the first shot. Player 2 should aim for either a deep return or cross court.Play out the points and first to seven points is the winner.

General

Tennis: Serve and return patte...

The player serves from the Deuce side, aiming for the body of the imaginary opponent. The coach then feeds the ball to the player's backhand side. The player then has to hit an aggressive forehand inside out by running around to get into position to hit the shot.

General

Surprise Your Opponent Serve a...

Coach serves second serve from Deuce/Advantage side. Player responds with return as a drop shot.

General

Slice and cut it down the line...

Player A executes wide slice serve from the deuce side. Player B hits forehand cross court return. Player A moves diagonally forward and finishes with offensive down the line shot.Drill specifications:1 repetition per setTo make this drill really dynamic players should switch after one point at the serving side. Returning players can switch after few points to guarantee good consistency and more opportunities for the servers to work on the pattern. Waiting players should perform some footwork activities including quick diagonal movement to gain bigger improvements while moving to the ball after the serve.

General

Returning a drop shot down the...

Coach stands close to the net and feeds balls close to the net on the player's side of the court to mimic a drop shot. Starting at the baseline the player has to run and hit a return drop shot down the line. Cones should be set out to give the player a target to aim for.

General

Tennis: Backhand return on the...

The coach seres to the player on the ad side. The player moves into position, lets the ball bounce and return with a backhand cross court side to the oach's ad side. Coach then return and again the player lets the ball bounce before returning it with a backhand cross court shot. Keeping the rally going the coach returns the ball high. The player has to move into position up the court and return using a backhand drive volley while the ball is still in the air. Note the three consecutive balls should be played as if in a rally.

General

Attack and Intercept

-Player serves to deuce court towards feeder and comes to the net.-The first player on the advantage side shadows the server and comes to net.-Feeder hits a ball to server who returns it cross court.-Feeder hits towards server again but the shadow server intercepts and hits cross-court winner.

Doubles Drills

Cross court inside-out forehands

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.

Forehand Drills

Doubles movement

-Player 2 starts with a second serve to advantage court.-Returner hits a lob return over player 1s head and follows it into the net.-Player 2 chases the lob and returns it down the line.-Player 1 moves to hot seat in the middle.-Returner hits cross court volley to player 1.-Player 2 comes to net and the point is played out.-The same drill can be repeated on the deuce side of the court.

Doubles Drills

Doubles returning

-Players are positioned in a doubles formation as seen in the picture. -The server will serve first and second serves as in a game situation.-The receiver will hit any of the returns as shown in the picture.-The players can play out the points after the return.-After approximately 6-10 serves the players swop round so that each player gets to serve and return and from both sides.

Doubles Drills

Forehand Inside Out (Live ball)

Drill Set-Up:Players start off on centre.Hits first ball back to coach and returns to volley to play inside out forehand.Topic of Emphasis:Players should split stop just prior to coaches hit and then prepare before ball bounces.Players should focus on proper balance.VariationPlayers should alternate the direction and depth.Coach can feed first ball with either top spin or slice.

Forehand Drills

Returning with Angles - Progression

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.

Serve and Return

Returning with Angles

TDL are placed half a metre inside the singles service line The server 2nd serves and the returner aims for the target. Progression - As before however, server plays out the point and the returner gains a bonus point if the returner hit the designated area and eventually wins the point

Serve and Return

Volleys (First volley position)

Players start off from the first volley position and executes 1 or 2 shots. Both down the line, then returns to opposite line

Volley Drills

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returns SESSIONS
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Worthy Slice From The Forehand Side

To improve control over the sliced, backspin shot from the forehand side.

Control under time pressure

Develop your players reactions and movement to get into position early to create more time for themselves, even when rushed into shots.

The Beginning of the Point

To work on different aspects of the serve and return and to engrain shots that players could call upon at the start of the point.

Respond and Return

Break your opponent's serve more often by learning how to respond and where to position your return!

Take your Return, to the next level!

Take your player?s service returns to the next level, with a series of drills to get them returning like pro?s!

Improving Key Skills For Juniors

Use this session plan to help your players’ confidence and skills grow, by putting in use of key skills that are required in the game.

Returning on a doubles court: keep them on their toes!

Develop and improve your players' doubles game with this tennis communication, strategy and teamwork plan
returns ANSWERS
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If the ball hits player's body...

If the ball hits player's body and returns over the net, whose point is it?

Vincie Abbott Coach, England

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 to beat a heavy top spin player?

can anyone suggest a tennis tactics on defeating a player who uses looping topspin?this type of player loves to rally, uses high bouncing topspin, and loves long rallies . however his opponent hates long rallies and ends up losing the point. any suggestions ?

Archived User Coach

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