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running DRILLS
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1st and 2nd volley position

The coach is feeding from the basket and players hit 2 balls each, a 1st volley and a 2nd volley. Players can start between the baseline and the service-line running forwards and split-stepping as the coach makes contact with the ball. After hitting the first volley down the line, they must move forwards closing the net down and edging to cover the line before they hit the 2nd volley cross-court. The 1st volley must be played deep and the 2nd volley as a shorter angled shot.

Volley Drills

Anticipation and tactical awareness

The court is marked out with cones into areas (e.g. red, amber and green). Players try to anticipate which area the ball is going to land in so that they can respond with the most appropriate tactical return. A buddie coach stands behind the player and tells them which shot they should play (ie. approach the net, lob etc.) depending on the area that they are hitting from i.e. where they are standing/ running on court as they hit the ball. Players will need to watch the body shape of the coach and the ball contact carefully to anticipate what type of shot is being hit and therefore where it is likely to land.

Rally Drills

Around the World

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.

Coordination / Fun Games

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

Donkey

Players hit one ball before running round the court to the other end. Each player gets 3 lives and loses one if they make a mistake, or fail to get into position on time. Alternatively players can collect letters for each mistake they make until they spell a work (like donkey). The winner is the one left standing. The coach can state at any time for the players to change direction in the way they are running around the court, even mid rally!

Coordination / Fun Games

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

Round the World 2

-Pick two teams, one team are the hitters, the other the runners.-The hitters take it in turns to hit the ball over the net, back to the feeder or to a designated area.The coach has to choose the target according to players level of ability. -The team scores a point each time a shot is hit to the agreed target.-The runners take it in turn to run around the outside of the court, back to the team like relay race.-Once all of the running team have done a round they shout stop, and the points of the hitting team freeze.-The teams then swap sides and the new hitting team has to beat their score.

Coordination / Fun Games

Split Step

Players should be encouraged to splitstep after each shot, and to use the correct footwork and racket technique on each and every shadow. Being under no pressure with a ball to hit, there is no excuse for poor posture or an off balanced body!

Movement

Two Ball Drill

Players start on the side of the court and run across where they return the ball from a feeder and continue running to hit another ball before running to the other side of the court, and recovering while walking round the court to join the back of the queue.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

Two shot winners

Players in two lines on the baseline. Player starts running across court to hit a fed ball on the service line. Hits the ball down the line and then closes in on the net to hit a short fed ball volley across court for a winner. Then the player moves to the back of the other que.

Passing Shots Drills

Hit and move: Running drives R...

Players are working in threes with player 1 in a full-court and players 2 and 3 in the forehand and backhand corners respectively.Player 1 is hitting running drives, 1 forehand cross followed by 1 backhand cross.Player 2 is hitting a forehand line, and player 3 a backhand line.The pattern is played in this way for up to 3 minutes depending on the level of fitness of player 1.

General

Offensive Running Volley Attac...

Player starts on the service line.Coach stands close to the net and feeds the ball off own side.Player sprints forward and hits finishing angle volley on the run.

General

Running Backhand and Rally Ral...

Coach, 4 players, and a basket of balls. Player 1 starts on the tramlines opposite the coach. Coach feeds the ball across the court for player 1 to run on to and hit a deep running backhand to player 2. A rally continues until a point is won. Player 1 retreats to their starting position, player 2 joins the queue, and player 3 joins the drill. Repeat the drill until all players have played player 1. Rotate players and repeat the drill.

General

Drop And Run Movement - Tennis...

The player stands in one corner of the court, with the coach on the opposite side of the baseline. The coach drops the ball from shoulder height and the player must sprint across the baseline and hit the ball, before returning to their starting position.

General

Tennis: Forehand Pattern With ...

The coach feeds balls from the basket. The first one the player hits a forehand cross court, before running to the other side and hitting a forehand inside out. The final shot is from the other side and is a winner down the line.

General

Run Forrest, run! Rally Drills...

The coach feeds a drop-shot from the basket. Players 1 and 2 are at the same end as the coach and are positioned at the net.Player 3 must run forwards to try to get to the drop-shot and play it up to either of the players at the net.The players at the net must lob-volley the ball back over player 3's head. Player must then 3 run back to chase the ball hitting it again to either of the players at the net, who then drop volleys this ball.The point continues in this way until an unforced error is made or player 3 cannot run anymore!

General

Make your opponent run Forehan...

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

General

Hitting on the Run Forehand & ...

There are 2 lines of players starting at the middle of the baseline. The coach feeds wide balls alternately to each side. Players hit one shot down the line and then return to the opposite line.

General

Backhand approach on the run B...

The coach stands in front of the player, and throws a low ball around the service line. The player sprints forward, hits backhand approach on the run and follows to take position at the net.

General

Approach On the Run Movement -...

Coach stands inside the court and feeds challenging short ball.Player runs and hits forehand approach shot on the run.

General

Around the World Coordination ...

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.

General

Specific Footwork - Run Around...

Coach demonstrates proper footwork to hit forehand inside out/in. Players try to imitate this footwork without hitting the ball to make it more natural. Players take big cross over step behind and jump from both legs to achieve stable position before imitating hitting the ball.

General

Backhands on the run Backhand ...

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

General

Smash and Run Smash Drills - T...

Players take it in turns to step into the court, tap the net with their racket and smash back the high feed from the coach. After repeating this twice (making sure they hit the net before each shot) players run over to the ladder on the far side of the court and perform a fast feet exercise of your choice (cross-over steps, both feet in each rung...)

General

Volley Run Volley Drills - Ten...

<B>Tactics</b><BR>Volleying Skills, Keeping ball in play<BR><BR><B>Description</b><BR>Partners line up along each side of the net. One player has the racket, the other has the ball. One player throws the ball to the volleyer who tries to hit the ball back to the feeder. If he catches it then they move one place to the right. The aim is to move along the length of the net as often as possible.

General

Rally and run around Forehand ...

The player stands between 2 cones. The coach and player rally with each other. The coach tries to hit all the balls between the cones, which the player then hits the ball and runs around the cone according to the stroke he chose. If the player hits a forehand he has to run around the right cone. If the player hits a backhand he has to run around left cone.Adding decision making skill to simple rally is a great way to teach your players how to act under the time pressure. If the player is able to maintain consistency while making right decisions, then they won't have problems with smart strategy during the match. It is important to design drills that are consisted of skills that players have to use during competition because the more similar the practice environment to the competitive one, the easier it will be to perform at the same level day by day.

General

Forehand on the run Forehand D...

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

General

Regular Rally with a Drive Ral...

The player stands on the baseline, whilst the coach stands at the net. Both rally together; the player uses only backhand cross court, whilst the coach hits the ball back with a volley.The coach hits randomly a slower and higher ball to allow the player to hit backhand drive in the air.The next step of every skill is to check how the player can react to a situation where given skill can be used. Setting an environment, where the player is forced to react and use drive in the air, is an opportunity to develop tactical awareness.

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

Tennis: Backhand down the line...

Player stands in the deuce corner. Coach feeds difficult ball to the ad side. Player hits backhand down the line on the run.

General

Tennis: Net drop forehand down...

Player stands inside the service line. Coach drops the ball from the net on the deuce side. Player sprints and hits controlled forehand drop shot down the line.

General

Two Ball Drill Movement - Tenn...

Players start on the side of the court and run across where they return the ball from a feeder and continue running to hit another ball before running to the other side of the court, and recovering while walking round the court to join the back of the queue.

General

Warm up: side to side Agility ...

Players perform warm up routines to prepare body for the practice. The main theme of this session is serving, so the warm up exercises should be related to that tennis discipline.

General

Quick Feet Ball Warm Up Agilit...

Player stands on the baseline and rolls the ball forward. They then run forward to catch up with the ball, but instead of picking it up, they use quick feed to run around the ball before running forward to catch it up again and do the same.

General

Donkey Coordination / Fun Game...

Players hit one ball before running round the court to the other end. Each player gets 3 lives and loses one if they make a mistake, or fail to get into position on time. Alternatively players can collect letters for each mistake they make until they spell a work (like donkey). The winner is the one left standing. The coach can state at any time for the players to change direction in the way they are running around the court, even mid rally!

General

Speedy Gonzales Coordination /...

This is a speed development drill for tennis. Players line up along the outer tram line to start the race. Players run to the inner tram line and return back to the outer line, without stopping they run to the centre service line and return again, and then continue also run to both tram lines at the far end. The players will touch each line with their hand before moving to the next line.

General

Ghosts Coordination / Fun Game...

<BR>-Players hit one shot each and if they return it into court they return to the back of the queue, if they make a mistake they become a ghost.<BR>-Ghosts must go to the same end as the feeder. If they catch a ball before it bounces they come back to life again (swapping with the person who hit that ball).<BR>-The winner is the player who is last one alive!!

General

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running SESSIONS
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Points based on Forehand scenarios

Work on different tactical plays with your players on court, based on their forehand stroke, to catch the opposition off guard!

Running Scenarios

Fluid movement is essential to firstly making balls and then being in a good position to play an effective shot. Go through the full repertoire of shots whilst on the move with this tough session.

Hitting and Moving: Playing on the run

High intensity, backline rallying Session - Designed to get your players moving around the court and playing shots at full stretch!

Responding to Drop-shots and Short Angles under pressure

Have your players mastered the dark art of the Drop-Shot and do they know how to spot a disguised Drop-Shot themselves? Find out in this tennis coach plan

Recognising where the ball is going to land

Don't react at the last minute. Teach players to read the ball and anticipate where it'll land with this anticipation, depth and shot preparation session

Attacking forehand tactics and technique plan

The shot is a forehand that goes down the line on what would be the backhand side of the person hitting the ball.

Fast Feet: Speed Running and Hustling Session!

With a combination of simple running and rallying drills this session aims to improve your players' on-court speed and hustle as they run to meet the ball

Hitting On The Run

Teach your players how to hit correctly on the run without giving their opponent an advantage!

Hitting to Corners and Digging out Points!

Instil that Andy Murray "never say die" attitude in your players - Get your players hit into the corners and try to make every point, even if the odds are stacked against them!
running ANSWERS
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I'm coaching middle school tennis for the first time. Where to begin?

Coaching tennis to middle school athletes for the first time. How do I begin?

Rhonda R Lang Coach, United States of America

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

Problems with inserting sketches to plans - Resolved

Is anyone else having difficulties adding their own sketches to plans. I can get as far as "choose a sketch" and then it jumps back to the plan. the pre-fab'd sportsplan ones are fine, but I can't add my own! I emailed the technical support team 2 days ago but have yet to have received a reply.If anyone can help, it would be a huge help!Rich.

Richard Egglesfield Coach, England

High school tennis team practices

Can you provide some help with running a high school tennis team practice?

Archived User Coach

Speed and agility in tennis

Why we need speed and agility in tennis?What we can do for speed and agility training?Can you gave me general information for speed and agility in tennis?

Can Deniz Coach, Turkey

Previous Rugby subscription

I previously subscribed to Sportplan after receiving an email with an offer for six months. I wanted Rugby League but made an error and selected Rugby which is Rugby Union so ended up cancelling my subscription. I would like to re join but all the offers I get now via email are for me to join back for Rugby and can't seem to be able to change it to Rugby League when I click on the offers. Could you please send me an offer for Rugby League so I can subscribe again. Thanks

Neil Frazer Coach, England

membership

how do i start a membership

Rosie Macauley Coach, United Kingdom

Upgrade Subscription

How do I upgrade from free to paying?

Sharon Coach, New Zealand

High school tennis team practi...

Can you provide some help with running a high school tennis team practice?

Archived User Coach

Videos will not run ... | Spor...

I cannot pull up video's without the Adobe Flash player crashing ... got any solutions?

Dr Louis Emmons Coach, United States of America

I'm coaching middle school ten...

Coaching tennis to middle school athletes for the first time. How do I begin?

Rhonda R Lang Coach, United States of America

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