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Tennis: short balls

short balls DRILLS
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1 High 1 Low - Backhand

In this exercise, the coach feeds all the balls to one side. The player's goal is to alternate shots with higher and lower trajectory over the net, firstly hitting a high shot, followed by a low shot, and this is repeated.

Attacking

1 High 1 Low - Forehand

In this exercise, the coach feeds all the balls to one side. The player's goal is to alternate shots with higher and lower trajectory over the net, firstly hitting a high shot, followed by a low shot, and this is repeated.

Attacking

1 in 1 out

The coach stands in front of the player and throws 1 short 1 deep ball to the backhand side. Player's goal is to hit backhands moving inside and outside of the baseline. Proper footwork is crucial if we are thinking about effective tennis play. Many mistakes are made because of improper legs' work so that is why players have to spend more time on drills that are based on intense footwork. Having strong legs and being quick are 2 skills that make us play better as also increase our self-confidence because we know our capabilities.

Backhand Drills

Add Some Variety

Coach feeds short balls to the player. Player alternates offensive shot and drop shot.

Forehand Drills

Cope With Low Volleys

The player begins by standing on the service line, with the coach tossing short balls to the backhand side. The player must move across and backhand volley the ball down the line.

Backhand Drills

Different winners Different points

2 players play points against each other. 3 zones are set on one side of the court. Zone 1 is the deepest one, zone 2 is the medium one, and zone 3 is the closest one to the net. Winners from different zones have different bonus points. Winners from zone 1 are for 1 point, from zone 2 for 2 points, and from zone 3 are for 3 points. Drill specifications: 2-3 points and switch The main emphasis should be put on hitting winners so players have to put maximum effort and focus on each stroke. Waiting players can work on their strength with medicine ball drills to improve their chances for hitting powerful winners especially from the short and medium-long balls.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

Killer Doesn't Always Mean Power

Coach feeds short balls to one side. Player alternates between aggressive drive and drop shot.

Attacking

React and finish

The coach stands and the net. The player and coach rally together in cross-court direction. After few good shots the coach hits the next volley short. The player has to react, move quickly forward and finish the ball offensively in down the line direction.

Forehand Drills

Respond to Drop Shot

Coach tosses low and short balls really close to the net. Player sprints and responds with counter drop shots.

Agility & Fitness

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

Short Ball Groundstrokes Foreh...

Players start off on centre of court and move forward towards service line and hit balls down the line.

General

Forehand Deep / Short Forehand...

Dead Ball Drill<br />Players start off in backhand corner (doubles Alley)<br />Players move out to play first forehand along the baseline and then moves forward to play a short ball inside the service box for a winner down the line

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

Deal With High Balls Forehand ...

Coach feeds high and short balls to the deuce side.Player moves forward and alternates hitting attacking forehand after the bounce and forehand drive volley out of the air.<br>

General

Add Some Variety Forehand Dril...

Coach feeds short balls to the player. Player alternates offensive shot and drop shot.

General

Respond to Drop Shot Movement ...

Coach tosses low and short balls really close to the net. Player sprints and responds with counter drop shots.

General

Approach and smash Smash Drill...

<BR>-2 feeding players, with a basket in the middle.<BR>- Feed a short ball followed by a lob.<BR>- After the approach shot the player smashes the lob.

General

Forehand/Backhand/Short Foreha...

Coach, 4 players, and a basket of tennis balls. <p class="p1">Player 1 starts off on the centre of the baseline. <p class="p1">Coach feeds ball 1 to the corner of the singles court for player 1 to play a cross court forehand. <p class="p1">Coach feeds ball 2 to the opposite side of the court just in front of service box for player 1 to run on to and play a backhand down the line. <p class="p1">Coach feeds ball 3 down the centre of the court for player 1 to run on to and play a short cross court forehand. <p class="p1">Player 1 joins the queue. <p class="p1">Drill repeated with player 2/3/4.

General

1 in 1 out Backhand Drills - T...

The coach stands in front of the player and throws 1 short 1 deep ball to the backhand side. Player's goal is to hit backhands moving inside and outside of the baseline.Proper footwork is crucial if we are thinking about effective tennis play. Many mistakes are made because of improper legs' work so that is why players have to spend more time on drills that are based on intense footwork. Having strong legs and being quick are 2 skills that make us play better as also increase our self-confidence because we know our capabilities.

General

Deep and Short Movement - Tenn...

Coach feeds an easy ball to the advantage side. Player runs around and hits forehand inside out. Player runs forward to take proper position at the net. Coach feeds another ball to the deuce side. Player finishes with forehand drop volley cross court.

General

Approach On the Run Movement -...

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

General

4 Zones Forehand Drills - Tenn...

Coach feeds balls to the deuce side.Player hits 4 balls aiming at 4 different zones.Player hits deep cross-court, deep down the line, short cross-court and short down the line.

General

Cope With Low Volleys Volley D...

The player begins by standing on the service line, with the coach tossing short balls to the backhand side. The player must move across and backhand volley the ball down the line.

General

Move Forward & Back Movement -...

Player stands on the baselineCoach stands in front of the playerCoach alternates feeding short and deep balls to the backhand sidePlayer hits backhand slice alternating loading front and back leg before the hit

General

Backhand Can Finish The Point ...

Player starts on the baselineCoach alternates feeding low and high short balls to the backhand sidePlayer moves forward and hits offensive backhand into side zones from different points of contact<br>

General

9 spots to AD Forehand Drills ...

Cones are set in the ad corner.Coach feeds 3 kinds of balls: deep, medium and short in 3 directions: deuce, middle, ad.Player hits offensive shot to the ad and recovers back to the middle after every shot.

General

Short rally with footwork Back...

Coach and player rally together using backhand strokes from service line.Player has to run around the cone after every hit.

General

Short Width, Full Width Moveme...

Player starts in the middle and sprints to the deuce corner, imitating a forehand stroke. Immediately, the player changes direction and sprints all the way to the other corner to finish imitating backhand stroke.

General

Attack easy balls Forehand & B...

Player stands on the baseline. Coach faces the player. Coach throws random balls to keep player in neutral/defensive position. Coach adds easier balls from time to time that player should attack.Drill specifications:1 set and switch1 player is working with the coach so other players have to perform other activities to keep improving while not hitting. Because ball perception is strongly connected with a reaction players should work on these skills while waiting for own turn. Simple cooperation where player A stands few meters away from player B and drops the ball that has to be caught after the one bounce is beneficial and can improve players effectiveness on the court.

General

Attacking forehand slice Foreh...

Coach feeds short ball to the forehand side.Player moves inside the court, hits attacking forehand slice deep down the line and takes proper position at the net.

General

Send and adjust Forehand Drill...

<br>2 players rally in cross court direction. Players adjust their court position according to the placement of own shots. If the ball is hit really deep players move closer to the baseline. If the ball is hit with medium depth players maintain the position around 2 meters behind the baseline. If the ball is hit short players quickly move back to prepare for defense.<br>Drill specifications: 1 min and switch 4 players work with each other at the same time so the coach can walk around and provide constant feedback about the footwork and positioning. Main goal is to focus on these two aspects so any faults related to stroke’s technique shouldn’t be pointed out at this time. Waiting players should do fitness drill to work on their footwork skills and legs endurance. Ladder, jump rope or plyometrics are great examples to implement while waiting for own turn.

General

Deep & Short Rally Drills - Te...

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

Consider point of contact Fore...

Player stands on the baseline. Coach feeds shorter balls with different heights. Player picks the right offensive method according to the ball’s height. Higher balls are hit with powerful strokes; lower balls are hit with more topspin and control.Drill specifications:4 repetitions per setWith more players on the court students make 2 lines and work on forehand and backhand separately. It allows the coach to put more players in play and work on proper tactical decisions. Waiting players should perform reaction drills to accelerate learning process and improve offensive skills in the hitting drill.

General

Moving Zones Movement - Tennis...

Court is divided into 3 zones (&quot;Deep&quot; Cones to the baseline, &quot;Medium&quot; Cones to the service line; &quot;Short&quot; Service box). Coach feeds random balls. Player has to react and make proper decisions related to the zones. If the ball is deep, player has to move back and hit higher cross court. If the ball is medium, player can make own decision and hit neutral or aggressive shot. If the ball is short, player has to move forward and hit aggressively down the line or make a drop shot.

General

Tennis: Forehand x 3 Moving Ac...

Coach, 4 players, and a basket of tennis balls. Player 1 starts off on the centre of the baseline. Coach feeds 3 balls across the court from the players left to right, for the player to run on to and play 3 deep forehand returns. Player 1 joins the queue and player 2 steps on for the drill to be repeated. Drill continues until all 4 players have had a turn. Repeat the drill.  

General

Drop Shot With Touch Volley Dr...

Player stands in the deuce service box.Coach feeds short balls to the player’s forehand.Player executes forehand drop shots cross-court and down the line

General

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short balls SESSIONS
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Get comfortable inside the court

Federer, 36 years old and still one of the best on tour. It?s because he moves so well around the court and varies his lengths and shots to dictate the play. It?s time your players did the same!

Responding to Drop-shots and Short Angles under pressure

Have your players mastered the dark art of the Drop-Shot and do they know how to spot a disguised Drop-Shot themselves? Find out in this tennis coach plan
short balls ANSWERS
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Can you suggest drills for the swing volley

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Experts.Can you suggest drills for the swing volley

kevin baker Coach, England

What is the best way to teach the backhand volley to?

What is the best way to teach the backhand volley to mini reds age 5-7 years? Do you encourage seperation of nondominant hand on contact 'fly'?

Karen Atkinson Coach, England

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

Passing shot drill for four or...

Is there a drill to involve four or five players to teach a passing shot? Situation would be opponent at or approaching the net and plays a poor approach.

Keith Brown Coach, England

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