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Tennis: Warm up: touching the cones

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DESCRIPTION

Players warm up by running and performing dynamic stretches.

The coach should ask players to perform exercises which will help to develop the skills related to the half-volley.

In this warm up set up two cones about 1.5 metres apart. Ask your player to stand facing the cones, then reach down to the cone on his/her left with their right hand.

Then return to the standing position before reaching for the left cone with the right hand.

COACHING POINTS

It is important that the coach chooses warm up exercises to improve skills that are needed to execute half-volleys.

Two major areas worked performing a volley are: controlling the upper body and bending knees.

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Half-volleying technique and tactics

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.

OFTEN USED WITH...

Hit and move forward:

Starting on the baseline, the player stands facing the coach. The coach then feeds the player balls.

The player returns the balls by hitting a half-volley.

After each return shot the player moves forward, and the coach steps back so the gap between them both stay the same.

Volley Drills

Control direction:

Moving along the net the coach throws the ball over the net to the player.

Standing in the centre of the net the player has to hit a half-volley back to coach so he/she can catch it

Volley Drills

Get comfortable with rallying:

Players stand on the service line. Both players are only allowed to play their designated shot.

Player 1 hits a topspin shots; Player 2 returns the ball by hitting half-volleys.

Volley Drills

Zig zag up the ladder:

Player goes diagonally through the ladder, using only little steps in between each space.

In this drill, player works on speed and coordination. At the beginning, kids should focus more on coordination rather than speed.

Agility & Fitness

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