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tactical DRILLS
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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

Awareness of the opponent

Coach stands in the middle of the court and feeds the ball to the advantage side. The coach will then move left or right, and the player has to be aware of where the coach has moved, and hit a forehand to the open area opposite to where the coach is stood.

Forehand Drills

Backhand Down The Line From The 3 Zones - Progression

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.

Backhand Drills

Backhand Down The Line From The 3 Zones

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 and moves forward ready for the next ball.

Backhand Drills

Connect the Dots

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.

Forehand Drills

Lob Awareness

Coach stands in front of the player. Coach throws balls behind the player. Player has to react and hit the overhead with control.

Lob

Serve with Opening

Player serves from one side. Coach feeds random ball as a return. Player reacts and hits the next shot to the open space.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

Take It From Your Legs

Coach stays at the service line. Coach feeds balls to the backhand side. Player slices the ball with an objective to make it bounce inside the service line.

Backhand Drills

Total tennis through throwing

-The players only use the service box and play without rackets.-Start with an over-arm throw from behind the service line (as if serving) and play out a rally with normal tennis rules.-When the player catches the ball they can only hold it for 1 second. When the player has the ball they cannot move there feet!-If the ball bounces they must use under-arm throws. If they catch it before bouncing, they can throw over-arm (as if volleying before bounce!)-First player to 7 points wins, as in the tie-break.

Coordination / Fun Games

Waves!

Players are playing doubles points from the hand in pairs. The pair who wins the point moves to the service line which is their starting position for the next point. Should they win the point from this starting position, players score 1 point and get to stay where there are. Should they lose the point from starting on the service line, they must move back to the baseline.

Rally Drills

Anticipation and tactical awar...

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.

General

Tactical game with extra point...

Rings (targets) are set on each player's side. Players play throw and catch game. Each player scores the point if the ball lands inside the ring. Game is played up to 7 points.

General

Tactical Domination From The A...

Coach feeds balls to the ad side.Player alternates hitting a backhand slice cross-court and an inside out topspin forehand .

General

Height's decision Forehand Dri...

2 players rally in cross court direction. Players make proper tactical decisions according to the height of the ball they receive. If the ball is really low player hits neutral shot. If the ball is at knee-to-hip level player hits neutral/offensive shot. If the ball is over the hips player tries to be aggressive.Drill specifications:Switch after 1 min or specific number of shots4 players are hitting with each other while others cooperate with partners. Waiting players should focus on perception of the incoming ball so easy exercise where player 1 throws the ball at random height and player B has to say “high”, “medium” or “low” and hit it softly back to the player should be incorporated to accelerate the learning process. Fitness drills are also preferred with the main focus on legs and shoulders (necessary for successful attempts with high and low balls)

General

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

Rally Pattern Forehand Drills ...

In a rally with the coach the player must hit the ball in a given pattern. Moving from one side of the court to the other the player will focus solely on playing 2 forehand cross court shots and 1 forehand inside in.

General

Deep directions + drop shot ch...

Deep zone and angle zone are set by cones. Coach feeds balls to one side. Player performs tactical pattern based on deep down the line shot, deep cross court shot, and drop shot down the line.Drill specifications:1-2 repetitions per set1-2 patterns in a row is a number that each players should hit. With more players coach can set up 2 lines to work on forehand and backhand at the same time but it requires good feeding skills to keep the patterns in a right pace. Waiting players can perform physical drills or they can imitate well-disguised drop shot to get comfortable with the last-second change of grip and drop shot motion.

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

Deep directions + drop shot ch...

Deep zone and angle zone are set by cones. Coach feeds balls to one side. Player performs tactical pattern based on deep down the line shot, deep cross court shot, and drop shot down the line.Drill specifications:1-2 repetitions per set1-2 patterns in a row is a number that each players should hit. With more players coach can set up 2 lines to work on forehand and backhand at the same time but it requires good feeding skills to keep the patterns in a right pace. Waiting players can perform physical drills or they can imitate well-disguised drop shot to get comfortable with the last-second change of grip and drop shot motion.

General

Dungeons Junior Tennis - Tenni...

Intention: Explore tactical development- "Over and In" and "Hitting into space" 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

Take care of backhand side For...

Coach feeds balls to the backhand side. Player runs around and hits only forehands. Player performs tactical pattern based on 2 forehands inside out and 1 forehand inside in.Drill specifications:1-2 repetitions per set1-2 patterns in a row is a number that each players should hit. Coach can put one of the players to feed the balls to be able to stand next to the players and deliver constant feedback. Waiting players should work on specific footwork designed for forehand inside out/inside in shots based on shuffle and crossover steps.

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

Cross court pattern with smash...

The player stands at the net, with cones set up in the ad corner. The coach feeds a lob, and the player hits overhead back to the coach to deuce side. The coach then hits the ball back to the ad side, and the player finishes with deep backhand volley cross court.

General

Pre-planned connection Forehan...

The player serves wide from the deuce side and the coach feeds high ball to the forehand side. The player moves forward and hits forehand drive in the air to the ad side.

General

Basic Match Half Volley Rally ...

Player stands on the service line.Coach stands on the baseline.Player rallies with coach.Coach hits regular topspin balls into the player's legs.Player executes adeep backhand half-volley to the center of the court.

General

Step In, Step Out Cross-Court ...

Cones are set on the ad side.Coach alternates feeding short and deep balls to the ad side.Player steps in and hits offensive backhand cross-court off short balls and moves back and hits neutral topspin backhand cross-court off deep balls.

General

Open the backhand Serve and Re...

The coach stands next to the doubles alley and the player serves wide from the ad side. The player's goal is to serve to the coach.

General

Tennis: Kick wide + Forehand i...

Player A executes wide kick serve from the ad side. Player B hits backhand return cross court. Player A runs around and hits offensive forehand inside in.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 specific footwork drills focused on the running around the backhand to improve this aspect while hitting after the serve.

General

Surprise after the angle Foreh...

2 players rally together in cross court direction. Player A picks the right moment to hit angle shot and opens the court up. After successful angle shot player finishes the next ball with drop shot down the line.Drill specifications:1 point and switchWhile 2 players are hitting on the court others can work on different skills. Physical activites are always good to incorporate but because of the drop shot included in this pattern, waiting players can cooperate and sharp this skill (player A is throwing the ball and player B is softly hitting drop shots back to the feeder).

General

Follow the angle Forehand Dril...

Coach feeds the ball to the player. Player hits an angle shot and runs to the net. Coach hits the ball back. Player finishes with the shot in the air.Drill specifications:1 repetition per set2 players can work on this pattern at the same time so players should switch after one repetition. Because moving to the net requires quick movement players should perform some sprinting exercises to work on speed and anaerobic endurance.

General

Deep directions + angle change...

Deep zone and angle zone are set by cones. Coach feeds balls to one side. Player performs tactical pattern based on deep cross court shot, deep down the line shot, and short cross court angle shot.Drill specifications:1-2 repetitions per set1-2 patterns in a row is a number that each players should hit. With more players coach can set up 2 lines to work on forehand and backhand at the same time but it requires good feeding skills to keep the patterns in a right pace. Otherwise players should perform physical drills e.g core strength to improve power of the groundstrokes.

General

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tactical SESSIONS
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Work on the Tactical Serve

Work on serving patterns with this session, combining the serve with the forehand, to gain the advantage!

Tactical Solutions to Beat Different Opponents

To understand the type of the opponent, quickly analyse their playing style and choose the best possible tactical solution.

Serving wide to create the one two punch

This is the first part of this two-part attacking serving session - serving from the deuce court

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.

First Shots Change the Game

Get your players into the game straight away, by working on the first shots of the rally, such as the drop shot!

Sending and receiving low balls

Help your players to reach low balls and then send their own with this session, working on the right technique and thinking tactically, for the right moment

Using the Middle to Approach and Defend

Mix things up with the middle shot! Get your players using this underrated, high-percentage shot to reduce their opponent's options and take command of the point

The complete backhand volley

Get your players to master the backhand volley and dominate at the net with this session!

Adapting to Different Points of Contact

To work on the forehand in different situations that require varying points of contact. To understand the necessity for technical adaptation when dealing with low, medium, and high balls.

Tennis is a Situational Game!

A session encouraging players to use their technical skills tactically!

Create a Tactical Advantage with Spin

To constantly change the spin and direction of shots to gain a tactical advantage during a rally.

Mid Court Shot Execution

Develop weapons that will allow for successful performance in the mid court area.

Challenge the serve to meet demands!

Make your players tactically aware and ready for their return of serve, hitting shot patterns to go on the front foot

Controlling points with backhand

Develop your players movement into their backhand to create combinations to transition from defence into attack.

The wrong-footing tactic - Play the ball back-behind!

Use the inside-out forehand to get your opponent off balance by playing the ball into the space behind!

Tactical aspects faced in the match

Develop tactical awareness to understand what shot to play, where to recover to and ultimately to create point winning opportunities.

Work on the Tactical Serve | T...

Work on serving patterns with this session, combining the serve with the forehand, to gain the advantage!

Tactical basics for effective ...

Understand tactical plays to create an advantage on the court by playing shots with a good depth to allow the player to approach the net and finish the point.

Tactical play: Playing with an...

Set your players secret missions, challenging them to adopt new tactics and techniques into their game play!

Half-volleying technique and t...

Develop your players technique for hitting the half-volley while instilling a tactical understanding of when and how to play the stroke for maximum effect.
tactical ANSWERS
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How to plan 4 progressive lessons?

Hi, I'm on Level 2 Tennis Assistant Coach course, and have a task to plan 4 progressive lessons, explaining the objectives,overall aims and what the players should be able to do before they move onto the next lesson. I did my Level 1 11 years ago, so I'm a bit out of touch. Can any one help please?

Archived User Coach

How can I ask a question?

Archived User Coach

tennis fun game for the kids |...

hi.my name is menn,could you send me a new fun game for the kids?thanks

menn Coach, Laos

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