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Tennis: Approach On the Run

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Cornel

DESCRIPTION

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

COACHING POINTS

In this drill player works on ability to control approach shot on the run. Many times players train approach shots in comfortable situations when the truth is that match conditions are quite different. During competitive points coming to the net happens both planned and unplanned. Training both options will let players be effective at the net no matter what. Coach has to pay attention to physical aspects because proper athletic skills can create faster improvements but on the other hand problems with speed or coordination can really limit player’s effectiveness.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

'X' movement:

Purpose:

learn to move in an "X" 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.

Movement

Backhand cross court with quick cones:

Player moves around the cones as fast as possible and hits backhand cross court.

Movement

Back and Forth:

Both players start at service line. Red 1 has to hit a ground stroke and then approach the net and play a volley back to Blue 1 and then return to service line. Repeat 6-10 shots then stop for Blue 1 to continue drill.

Volley Drills

Attacking forehand off center:

Coach feeds an easy ball down the middle of the court.

Player moves forward and hits an agressive forehand to the deuce side. Player then moves forward to take up a proper position at the net.

Movement

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