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Tennis: taking the ball early

taking the ball early DRILLS
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Taking the ball early

-Both players have cones approx 2 meters in front of base line (depending on players skill level.-Players gain a point each time they hit between the cone and the base line. -One of the players has to stay on or inside the baseline. -With more advanced players both have to play on or inside the baseline.-First player to 11 points wins the game.-To make the drill easier it can be played on one half of the court and later progressed to full court. -The game can also be started with a second serve.

Rally Drills

Taking the ball early: One up, One back

Players rally up and down the middle of the court with 1 player at the baseline and one at the net. The aim of the drill is to hit as many balls in 1 minute as possible, counting as they go. The minute period is repeated 5 times with players resting for 1 minute between each repetition to recover and collect balls ready for the next drill. Players should continuously try to beat their own score each time, but this drill can also be made competitive by comparing the scores between other pairs of players.

Rally Drills

Taking the ball inside the court

Both players rally up and down the middle of the court from a central position. Every so often the coach shouts 'player 1' or 'player 2' and for the next 30 seconds that particular player must not step foot behind the baseline. Every ball they hit must be played with both feet in front of the baseline, however difficult this is.

Rally Drills

Taking the ball early Rally Dr...

<BR>-Both players have cones approx 2 meters in front of base line (depending on players skill level.<BR>-Players gain a point each time they hit between the cone and the base line. <BR>-One of the players has to stay on or inside the baseline. <BR>-With more advanced players both have to play on or inside the baseline.<BR>-First player to 11 points wins the game.<BR>-To make the drill easier it can be played on one half of the court and later progressed to full court. <BR>-The game can also be started with a second serve.

General

Taking the ball early: One up,...

Players rally up and down the middle of the court with 1 player at the baseline and one at the net. The aim of the drill is to hit as many balls in 1 minute as possible, counting as they go. The minute period is repeated 5 times with players resting for 1 minute between each repetition to recover and collect balls ready for the next drill. Players should continuously try to beat their own score each time, but this drill can also be made competitive by comparing the scores between other pairs of players.

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

Run Forrest, run! Volley Drill...

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

Under pressure ground strokes ...

<BR>-Rally until a mistake is made by the baseliner.<BR>-Baseliners swap out on mistakes.<BR>-Volley player swaps after 2-3 minutes.

General

Tennis: Stretching Stop Volley...

Player starts from the service line.Player sprints forward on the deuce side and finishes the run with dynamic split-step.Coach feeds the ball away from the player to the ad side.Player reacts after the split step and tries to hit a backhand stop volley down the line.

General

Threes - Two up and change Ral...

Player 1 is working in the whole court. They must hit 2 cross-court forehands followed by 2 cross-court backhands. Player 2 is working in the forehand corner and must hit 1 forehand cross followed by 1 forehand line. Player 3 is working in the backhand corner and must hit 1 backhand cross followed by 1 backhand line.

General

Threes - One up, one down Rall...

  Player 1 is working in the whole court and must hit 1 forehand cross-court, 1 forehand line, followed by 1 backhand cross-court finishing with 1 backhand line. Player 2 is working in the forehand corner and must hit 2 cross-court forehands. Player 3 is working in the backhand corner and must hit 2 cross-court backhands.  

General

Shot selection Rally Drills - ...

<br />-Players play in pairs as a team and alternate shots scoring a point each time a shot is hit in the back 1/3 of the court.<br />-If a ball is hit short the players can attack. <br />-Attacking shots should also be hit deep (1/3 back of court) and if they are hit as outright winners the team will score an extra 3 points.<br />-First side to 7 points wins the game.<br />-The game can also be started with service and then carried on as described above.

General

Fast Rally - Maximum Contacts ...

<div class=&quot;practiceText&quot;>Players rally up and down the middle of the court cooperatively.They must try and hit as many contacts as they can within a timed one minute period, regardless of whether the ball goes out or in the net.This one minute period is repeated 5 times with 1 minute in between each repetition for players to recover and collect balls ready for the next working slot.</div>

General

Surprising inside out opener F...

2 players use backhands to rally together in cross court direction . Player A picks the right moment to surprise the opponent and hits forehand angle inside out. After putting the opponent outside of the alley player A takes the next ball and finishes with backhand down the line.Drill specifications:1-2 minutes and switch2 players can work on forehands and backhands at the same time so 1-2 minutes periods for switching are appropriate. Waiting players can perform some footwork exercises with the emphasis on running around footwork patterns based on crossover steps to improve the effectiveness of the angle shot while hitting.

General

Tennis: Catch & Throw Like A V...

Working on volleys should be incorporated in the early stages of learning tennisIt is not purely about volleying well but it is about not being scared of the incoming ball as also playing without the bounce and without the backswingKids who are introduced to the net game on mini-court find it easier to come to the net also while playing on bigger court so this transition is smoother if the proper approach is taken with smaller court and softer balls

General

Restricted Space Rally Drills ...

Two players play out a point and they are not allowed to step outside of the back of the court (resticted area).If players do step into the restricted area they immediately forfeit the point.

General

Length Rally Drills - Tennis D...

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.

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

Deep & Short Backhand Drills -...

Player stands on the baseline. Coach feeds balls to the ad side.Player alternates hitting 2 backhands slice deep cross-court and 2 backhands stop shot down the line<br>

General

Serve And Body Ball Serve and ...

Player serves the ball, and immediately after serving, the coach tosses a deep ball into player's body. The player's goal is to move back and hit with control.

General

Different colours different de...

The coach feeds orange, and green balls to the forehand side. The player hits only forehands cross-court. If the ball is green, the player has to aim deep. If the ball is orange, the player has to aim short.

General

Offensive response to high bal...

The player stands on the baseline and the coach feeds high ball. The player moves forward and hits forehand in the air to the ad side.

General

Rally with 3 zones Forehand Dr...

2 players rally together in cross court direction. 3 zones are set on each player’s side (Red, Yellow, Green). Player has to hit particular shot according to the opponent’s balls placement. If the ball lands in the red zone player hits defensive/neutral shot. If the ball lands in the yellow zone player hits neutral/offensive shot. If the ball lands in the green zone player has to attack it.Drill specifications:30-60 seconds and switch4 players can work on the court at the same time while others can have different duties. Coach can put 2 players next to the net post and let them say “stop” when the ball goes over the net. This is the signal for the player and feedback at the same time of their perception time. If there are more players on the court coach can make them do some fitness drill or put them far behind the hitting players and work on ball perception on their own.

General

Elbow Ball Backhand Drills - T...

The player keeps tennis ball between the body and dominant elbow and the player imitates backhand stroke. The ball can't leave the body before the player “hits” backhand.

General

Backswing Loop Forehand Drills...

The coach stands next to the player and keeps their racquet in a horizontal position. The player moves their racquet over and under the coach's racquet to imitate a forehand stroke.

General

'X' movement Movement - Tennis...

Purpose:learn to move in an &quot;X&quot; pattern under pressure of movement.Coach feeds the ball in the sequence 1,2,3,4 for each player in turn. Coach feeds high deep balls to points 1,3 and shorter feeds to 2,4.Exact pattern of 1,2,3,4 maintained throughout.Player hits feeds 1,3 deep crosscourt. Feeds 2,4 down the line. Feed in sets of 16 balls.

General

Table tennis rallying Coordina...

Players stand opposite one another in the service boxes and play the point out. However, this time, the ball must be hit down into the court so that it bounces on the player's own side before it goes over the net (like in table tennis). The ball cannot therefore bounce before the opposing player makes contact with it themselves. Points can be played up to 21 in this way.

General

Catch & Hit With Good Posture ...

Coach stands in front of the player.Coach throws a low ball to the forehand side.Player steps forward and alternates catching/throwing the ball back to coach and hitting low forehand volley back to coach.

General

Slice On The Rise Forehand & B...

Player stands on the baselineCoach feeds high topspin ball to the backhand sidePlayer hits backhand slice on the rise

General

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taking the ball early ANSWERS
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perception of the ball - Sport...

hi! I am a beginner coach, so need help! coaching a men around 45, he has trouble of understanding where the ball will land. he does backswing to early, to late, focusing to much on the ball and having trouble with footwork. any drills to make it easier to understand where the ball will land and how to prepare for it? thank you

Ekaterina Grib Coach, Russia

Backhand grip - Sportplan

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?

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