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single DRILLS
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Backhand slice - Game on!

Players are working cross-court from their backhand corners and have to hit a backhand slice off every single ball. They also have to slice the ball deeper than the service line and cannot dropshot or come to the net. If a player has to hit a forehand or a topspin backhand they lose the point straight away. Players must take it in turns to feed the ball in and the point is played out in this way in the half-court with the tramlines being out, first to 11 points.

Backhand Drills

Ball roll

Player 1 is feeding from the service box and player 2 starts on the baseline T in the ready position. Player 1 rolls tennis balls along the ground, in a random pattern, one after the other and player 2 must move to each ball, stop it with their hand before it goes outside the singles tramlines or baseline. After stopping the ball player 2 should roll it back to player 1 who can then roll the next ball.

Movement

Be ready for anything!

Players are working in pairs with player 1 feeding from just behind the service box and player 2 starting from the baseline area. Player 1 can roll, drop, or throw balls in any order or direction to player 2 and player 2 must react accordingly and return the ball to player 1 in the same way it has been fed. They must reach each and every ball before it goes outside the single tramlines, baseline or in front of the service box. Player 1 can throw the ball straight at player 2 too so they must be ready for anything!

Movement

Fast team work

-Players rally on a full court.-There can be two or more players on each side of the net starting from the baseline.-Using one racket per team the first player hits one shot and passes the racket to the next team player.-Points are won if the opposing side hits the ball outside of singles court or into the net.

Coordination / Fun Games

Hitting winners v net player

Coach feeds in a ball to the player on the base line who has to try and hit a passing shot past the player at the net

Passing Shots Drills

One Stands Alone

The coach stands on one side of the court. Students line up. The first student hits ball to the coach and then moves to end of the line. Point continues with students alternating.

Backhand Drills

Returning with Angles

TDL are placed half a metre inside the singles service line The server 2nd serves and the returner aims for the target. Progression - As before however, server plays out the point and the returner gains a bonus point if the returner hit the designated area and eventually wins the point

Serve and Return

Ripping it!

The coach feeds each player 5 easy balls anywhere inside the service boxes. The player must 'rip' every single ball, with 100% intensity, swinging freely and keeping the racquet head speed fast through each and every ball. These are 'put away' balls, the last shot of a rally and must be buried into the court to give the opponent no chance of getting to it.

Smash Drills

Using the middle to defend under pressure (it's the biggest part of the court after all!)

The coach feeds single ball feeds from the basket putting the player under extreme pressure. Starting from the singles tramline the players must try to hit the ball on the run directly back down the middle of the court to the rectangular target. Players can choose whether they slice or hit over the ball depending on how quickly they can get to the ball. Each player hits just one ball at a time so players waiting must be ready immediately for the next feed and after the shot has been played must jog back to the start position at the back of the court in order to keep the drill continuous. Repeat this drill with the coach feeding from the opposite corner.

Passing Shots Drills

Volleys

- Coach feeds in, then volleys are played out competitively.- Volleys must go to a single player.- Must step into the ball and punch.- Swap -> Backhand or rotate.

Volley Drills

Knee Serve (single knee) Serve...

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

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

Ripping it! Smash Drills - Ten...

The coach feeds each player 5 easy balls anywhere inside the service boxes.The player must 'rip' every single ball, with 100% intensity, swinging freely and keeping the racquet head speed fast through each and every ball.These are 'put away' balls, the last shot of a rally and must be buried into the court to give the opponent no chance of getting to it.

General

Be ready for anything! Movemen...

Players are working in pairs with player 1 feeding from just behind the service box and player 2 starting from the baseline area.Player 1 can roll, drop, or throw balls in any order or direction to player 2 and player 2 must react accordingly and return the ball to player 1 in the same way it has been fed.They must reach each and every ball before it goes outside the single tramlines, baseline or in front of the service box. Player 1 can throw the ball straight at player 2 too so they must be ready for anything!

General

Using the middle to defend und...

The coach feeds single ball feeds from the basket putting the player under extreme pressure.Starting from the singles tramline the players must try to hit the ball on the run directly back down the middle of the court to the rectangular target.Players can choose whether they slice or hit over the ball depending on how quickly they can get to the ball.Each player hits just one ball at a time so players waiting must be ready immediately for the next feed and after the shot has been played must jog back to the start position at the back of the court in order to keep the drill continuous.Repeat this drill with the coach feeding from the opposite corner.

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

Specific CC Forehand Drills - ...

The coach feeds the balls to the deuce side, whilst the player hits forehand cross court into a specific zone for doubles.

General

Height Rally Drills - Tennis D...

Purpose:To learn that shots go higher over the net than imagined Variation "A"Cover the net with towels and ask 2 singles players to play up to 11 points.Feed underhand for 2 points alternately Variation "B"Erect badminton nets to create higher target over netCompete as in "A".

General

Ball roll Movement - Tennis Dr...

Player 1 is feeding from the service box and player 2 starts on the baseline T in the ready position.Player 1 rolls tennis balls along the ground, in a random pattern, one after the other and player 2 must move to each ball, stop it with their hand before it goes outside the singles tramlines or baseline.After stopping the ball player 2 should roll it back to player 1 who can then roll the next ball.

General

Plus and Minus Rewards Rally D...

Players play the point out from their hand in a full court as normal.If they win the point with a clear winner or by forcing an error from their opponent they get plus 1 point. However, if they make an unforced error of any kind, they get minus 1 point.Players can play until 1 player reaches plus or minus 7 points.

General

Backhand slice - Game on! Back...

Players are working cross-court from their backhand corners and have to hit a backhand slice off every single ball. They also have to slice the ball deeper than the service line and cannot dropshot or come to the net.If a player has to hit a forehand or a topspin backhand they lose the point straight away.Players must take it in turns to feed the ball in and the point is played out in this way in the half-court with the tramlines being out, first to 11 points.

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

Full acceleration Forehand Dri...

Coach stands next to the player. Coach quickly throws the balls. Player fully accelerates and hits all balls as fast as possible.Max 4-5 repetitions per setThis drill is really demanding from the physical side so number of repetitions should be adjusted to the player fitness preparation. Too many reps will not bring good results because of the tired arm as also can be responsible for player’s injuries of the shoulder. Between the sets with the coach other players can work on specific drills with medicine ball/bands to strengthen the shoulder area.

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

Knee Serve (both knees) Serve ...

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

General

Forehands only Forehand Drills...

Purpose:Learn to use forehand as a weapon. Move around the backhand each time to hit with forehand only. Coach feeds anywhere in singles court. Players can only hit forehand back to coach's backhand corner (sets of 5-6 feeds only). Variation: After hitting 3-4 forehands player can hit anywhere in singles court.

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

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

Tennis: Backhand Slice Return ...

Player waits for the serve on the ad side.Coach serves wide from the ad side.Player executes deep backhand slice return in cross-court direction.<br>

General

Medicine ball warm up Serve an...

Player uses a small medicine ball with the loop. Player imitates the serving motion by throwing the ball to their partner. The loop attached to the ball helps to achieve proper motion for the serve.

General

Fast team work Coordination / ...

<BR>-Players rally on a full court.<BR>-There can be two or more players on each side of the net starting from the baseline.<BR>-Using one racket per team the first player hits one shot and passes the racket to the next team player.<BR>-Points are won if the opposing side hits the ball outside of singles court or into the net.

General

Effective all-court volleys Vo...

Cones (stations) are set on the player's side. The player starts from the first cone and the coach feeds the ball. The player then tries to hit the ball into the deuce zone. If he makes it he is allowed to move to the next station. If he doesn't he tries until he makes a successful shot.

General

Mini-returning skills with the...

Player stands on the ad side with a cone in hand. Coach serves from the ad side. Player then catches the ball inside the cone and throws it over the net. During the first few tennis lessons, it can be too hard for kids to return the ball with the racquet. So the coach has to adapt to this situation and still improve returning skills; using a cone is a great opportunity to imitate a returning environment and improve receiving abilities.

General

No winners! Rally Drills - Ten...

Players are working in the full court and take it in turns to feed the ball in out of their hand.They are playing the point out as normal but with the stipulation that they are not allowed to hit a winner to win the point! Players must make their best effort to reach balls, it is up to the coach to decide whether they have done this and whether the ball hit was an outright winner - in which case it will not be counted!Players can play first to 11 points, this can and should take a quite a long time!</div>

General

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single SESSIONS
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Necessary skills for successful doubles

Get your players working effectively as a duo and improving their doubles game

Returning on a doubles court: keep them on their toes!

Develop and improve your players' doubles game with this tennis communication, strategy and teamwork plan

Doubles-Specific Practice | Te...

Work on the tactical and technical areas of the doubles game, making your players aware of the different priorities needed than in a singles match!
single ANSWERS
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How to teach single and double-handed backhands to U10s?

teaching single and doublehanded backhands to under 10s

Archived User Coach

How to share my sketches?

I've made som sketches of my own and I would like to place them in the different drills categories, but how do I do that?

Rutger Sadee Coach, Netherlands

The monthly charge for Sportplan?

After the free joining fee, how much is the monthly fee for sportplan?RegardsJM

JM Coach, England

Can I view multiple sports please?

How can I view multiple sports on the same account? Thanks.

Duncan fotheringham Coach, England

Sport selection query

If I look to purchase one individual sport, can I then swap it for another sport as many times as i want?

Ryan Gould Coach, England

Change Account

Hi,I've made an account or login with using mij Google account. Now I want to change that into a single account. If I change my password, it cannot login anymore. I have to do that again with my Google account, but I don;t want that.How can I change that?Thanks in Advance!Michel

Michel Coach, Netherlands

Strategy to win senior 70´s t...

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

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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