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Tennis: serve and return

serve and return DRILLS
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Doubles returning

-Players are positioned in a doubles formation as seen in the picture. -The server will serve first and second serves as in a game situation.-The receiver will hit any of the returns as shown in the picture.-The players can play out the points after the return.-After approximately 6-10 serves the players swop round so that each player gets to serve and return and from both sides.

Doubles Drills

Keep the opponent on the backhand side

Player A serves to the T from the ad side. Player B hits forehand cross-court return and both players rally using only backhands cross-court.

Backhand Drills

Make response difficult and predictable

The coach stands on the service line. The player returns from deuce side and the coach serves wide. The player hits forehand slice return deep down the line.

Forehand Drills

Return Cross Court

Coach serves from the service line and the player returns the ball cross court.

Serve and Return

Serve and return pattern with forehand

The player serves from the Deuce side, aiming for the body of the imaginary opponent. The coach then feeds the ball to the player's backhand side. The player then has to hit an aggressive forehand inside out by running around to get into position to hit the shot.

Attacking

Start deep, finish short

The coach serves to the T from deuce side. The player hits deep backhand return cross-court and the coach feeds shorter ball to the deuce side. The player then finishes with forehand drop shot down the line.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

Start the rally with return

The coach serves wide from the deuce side. The player hits forehand down the line return and starts the rally in down the line direction.

Serve and Return

Serve / Return Point Play Serv...

Player 1 is serving and will play a sequence of 4 points against player 2 as follows:Serving from the deuce court player 1 must serve wide. Player 2 must return the shot to player 1's forehand side.<br /><br />Serving from the deuce court player 1 must serve inside. Player 2 must return the shot to player 1's backhand side.<br /><br />Serving from the advantage court player 1 must serve inside to player 2 who must return the ball to player 1's forehand corner.<br /><br />Serving from the advantage court player 1 must serve wide to player 2 who must return the ball to player 1's backhand side.</div>

General

Deuce Pressure Return Serve an...

Coach serves wide from the deuce side, and the player hits a forehand cross-court return, aiming for the ball to bounce in the coned area. Modification includes coming to the net after returning and finishing with forehand in the air.

General

Serving A / B Serve and Return...

Player 1 has to tell player 2 whether the are serving into area A or B. Player 1 has two serves, if the serve goes in the correct area and they eventually win the point they get a bonus point. If the serve goes in the unstated area the point is still played out with no bonus points. The first player to 4 points wins.

General

Start the rally with return Se...

The coach serves wide from the deuce side. The player hits forehand down the line return and starts the rally in down the line direction.

General

For singles and for doubles Se...

The coach serves wide from ad side. The player hits backhand return cross-court and starts the rally in cross-court direction.

General

Quicker than regular Serve and...

The coach stands on the service line and serves to the deuce side, then the player returns using forehand down the line stroke.

General

Depth of serve Serve and Retur...

TDL = Throw down lines<BR>Place some TDL 2 feet inside the service line<BR> - Player A only has one serve per point. <BR> - If they serve between TDL and the service line and eventually win the point they score two points but if the serve is short they will only score 1 point.

General

Return and Volley Pattern Serv...

Coach serves from the deuce side to the T. Player hits backhand deep return cross court and comes to the net. Coach feeds the next ball to the deuce side. Player finishes with forehand deep volley cross court.

General

Knee Serve (both knees) Serve ...

Player sits on both knees on the ground. Player executes top spin serve.

General

Returning with Depth Serve and...

Place Throw down lines (TDL) 1m inside the baseline on the servers sideThe server 2nd serves and the returner is trying to return the ball between the TDL and the baseline. Play out the point after the serve and if the returner hits the depth area and eventually wins the point they get a bonus point.Advanced progression - returner receiving both 1st and 2nd serves inside the baseline or close to the service box.

General

Serve and recovery Serve and R...

The player performs regular serve. After the serve, the player recovers behind the baseline as fast as possible.

General

Serve and jump over the cone S...

A cone is placed on the baseline. The player performs regular serve, where the goal is for them to jump over the cone while serving.

General

Target Serve Central Line Serv...

4 players,  4 cones or spots, basket of tennis balls. <p class="p1">4 cones set up in a line along the centre of each service box. <p class="p1">Two players take 2 serves each to the relevant service box aiming to hit the cones. <p class="p1">The next 2 players then take 2 serves each. <p class="p1">The drill continues until all balls have been used. 1 point scored for every cone hit.

General

Contact point Serve and Return...

Tell the players to stand close the surrounding netting of the court and ask the players to throw up the ball and trap it between strings and fence.

General

Surprise Your Opponent Serve a...

Coach serves second serve from Deuce/Advantage side. Player responds with return as a drop shot.

General

Pocket Serve Serve and Return ...

Player executes regular serve.Player focuses on bringing the tossing arm to the opposite pocket as well as on moving the hitting arm to the left side of the body.<br>

General

Serve / Volley - Cross court S...

Player 1 serves and follows it in to hit a volley. Player 2 must attempt to hit a return cross court. Player 1 then hits a volley angled cross court to target area.

General

Accuracy Toss Serve and Return...

The player tosses the ball up and leaves the non-dominant hand in the air. Ball should drop into the player's hand.

General

Hit a perfect 6 Serve and Retu...

Player serves from one of the sides - ad or deuce. The player then has to hit 6 serves from 3 different spots (T, Middle, Sideline). To develop accuracy ask the player to get all 6 serves in the opposite service box.

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

Serve and Recover Serve and Re...

Coach is in front of the player. Coach rolls the ball on the ground quickly after player serves the ball. Player's goal is to recover behind the baseline before ball goes between the legs.

General

Serve Placement Serve and Retu...

Divide the box into 3 areas using TDL (Throw down lines)First person to hit each area 3 times on both the deuce and advantage boxes is the winnerProgression - The server has to say which area they are going to serve into if the serve lands in that area and they win the point they get a bonus point

General

One serve - Under Pressure Ser...

Player 1 has only one serve and the score is 30 - 30. The first player to win 3 games is the winner. If player 1 successfully makes the serve and wins the point they win the game. If not they only have 1 serve for the next point. If they win that point the game goes to sudden death.

General

Return With Time Pressure Serv...

Player stands on the ad side.Coach serves to the T while standing on the service line.Player returns down the line using forehand.<br>

General

Knee Serve (single knee) Serve...

Player kneels down, putting one knee on the floor. Player serves from this position.

General

Return of serve 1 Serve and Re...

Players position themselves on return line. Coach (2) takes turns serving to both deuce and the court.

General

Serve With Hand Serve and Retu...

Serve with Hand: This exercise is a great tool to warm up whole serving action while working on proper rhythm. Player stands close to the net without the racquet. Player tosses the ball and serves while using the bare hand. Hitting in the highest point of contact and making the action smooth are priorities for this warm up drill.

General

Open Return Serve and Return -...

Player stands on the deuce side.Coach serves to the T.Player executes backhand return using open stance.

General

Stay stable after the serve Se...

Player performs a regular serves. The goal of this exercise is for the player to land on his/her front foot and maintain balance on one leg after the serve. The back foot should be in the air.

General

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serve and return DRILL CATEGORIES
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Serve and Return Drills
Serve and Return Drills
serve and return SESSIONS
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Serve and Return - Accuracy and consistency session

Get your players mastering their first and seconds serves while also working on their ability to return a speedy serve!

Pre-Tournament Priority Session

Focus on your players serve and return game to address priorities before heading into competition

Control and Consistency on the Court

In this session we look at building consistency and control into rallies. We look at each skill you might use at different points throughout the rally and work on getting the basic technique of these skills perfect.
serve and return ANSWERS
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How do you beat someone who is clearly inferior but?

How do you beat someone who is clearly inferior but just keeps the ball in play?

Archived User Coach

What is the most impotend hit inthe tennis match??

What is the most impotend hit in the tennis match? Service or Return?

Archived User Coach

Hi Guys, How best to teach a return of serve

Hi Guys, Just wondering if anyone has a suggestion on how to teach a block return from serve and a slice return from serve to 13y.o juniors who are playing against big servers Cheers

Ciaran Cahill Coach, Ireland

Strategy to win senior 70´s tournament singles?

How to win senior 70´s tournament singles? Strategy?

Archived User Coach

How do I coach 14 girls (varying abilities) on just 2 courts?

How do I coach 14 girls, all of varying levels from beginner to advanced on just two courts?

Archived User Coach

What is the most efficient way to plan a training

I know some coaches use ; Monday - Serve Tuesday - Return Wednesday - Forehand Thursday - Backhand Some are using wave planning and some use 3 days Serve 3 days Return 3 days Forehand My Question is what is the most efficient way to plan a training

Berk Coach, Turkey

lesson plan on serve and return

how do you do a lesson plan for serving and returning while rolling the ball with racket and (tactic) moving the opponent

Bella Coach, South Africa

serve and return-using the strenght

session planner what could I do ? my tactic will be moving my opponent

Jacques Swanepoel Coach, South Africa

high ball

hi what is the best drill to improve high ball contact point and footwork.

samala ashok Coach, India

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