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Tennis: stance

stance DRILLS
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Backhand Live drill

Coach feeds the ball from the forehand side of the court. Players start in the centre and hit the first backhand back to the coach. The player should try to recover back to the centre to then move towards the short ball and hit a backhand cross-court.

Backhand Drills

Divots!

Scatter some cones (divots) across the area, some the right way up, and some upside down. Split the group into two teams - 'Hackers and Greenkeepers' - and spread them out across the area. On the word 'Go' the Hackers run round turning the divots upside down and the Greenkeepers must turn them the right way up.

Coordination / Fun Games

Doubles movement

-Player 2 starts with a second serve to advantage court.-Returner hits a lob return over player 1s head and follows it into the net.-Player 2 chases the lob and returns it down the line.-Player 1 moves to hot seat in the middle.-Returner hits cross court volley to player 1.-Player 2 comes to net and the point is played out.-The same drill can be repeated on the deuce side of the court.

Doubles Drills

Forehand Lateral, with depth (live ball)

Drill Set-Up:Players start off in backhand doubles corner and executes two balls.Topic of Emphasis:Player steps out in on first shot and plays open stance on second volley.Player aim for greater depth.Variation:Coach can vary fielding position and players alternate direction and depth.

Forehand Drills

Passing shots

Starting with a feed to either forehand or backhand at random players play their first shot down the line after which the players can play out the point. No lobs allowed.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

Serve and Volley

-Player serves diagonally to returner / feeder who hits cross court. -Server moves forward and volleys back to returner / feeder.-Returner / feeder hits a short low ball to the net players feet.-The returner / feeder then plays out the point.-Lobs are only allowed after a minimum of two volleys.

Serve and Return

Touch at the net

-One player is positioned on the service line, the other closer to the net.-Player 1 lobs every second shot and player 2 hits alternately volleys and smashes.-This is a warm up drill and players focus on keeping the ball in play.-The drill can be done with or without rackets.-Players swop round after approximately 3 minutes.

Volley Drills

Under pressure ground strokes

-Rally until a mistake is made by the baseliner.-Baseliners swap out on mistakes.-Volley player swaps after 2-3 minutes.

Rally Drills

Volley and move across net in pairs

1. Students work in pairs.2. Students move down net volleying to each other.3. Emphasize control and precision volleys.

Volley Drills

Volleys whilst moving as a team

-Players hit 2 half volleys each aiming at the targets, then move to alternate line.-All players in line shadow move behind hitters.-The same can be done with players at the net volleying.

Coordination / Fun Games

Control the stance Movement - ...

Players stands on the baseline, while the coach feeds the ball to one side of the court. The player then hit the ball back, while alternating between close and open stance.

General

Closed Stance With Weight Tran...

Cones are set in front of the player. Cones show the player how they should use their legs while performing a closed stance forehand. Player imitates a forehand closed stance stroke and moves their back leg forward after the shot towards the cone.

General

Close Stance For Kids Coordina...

<span style=&quot;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(50, 50, 50);&quot;>Hula hoops are set on the court to help player imitate movement for close stance forehand<span style=&quot;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(50, 50, 50);&quot;>The player performs a split step in the first cone and uses shuffle step to move forward in sideways position<span style=&quot;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(50, 50, 50);&quot;>At the end, the coach throws the ball so the player hits a forehand while using a close stance

General

Tennis: Forehand Close Stance-...

Player stands behind the baseline. Coach faces the player. Coach throws the ball. Player hits forehand/backhand and moves the right/left leg forward. Player’s goal is to get to the service line without any additional steps.1-2 full repetitions (to the service line) per setCoach can line up all the players next to each other and work only with one while others imitate the same movements without hitting the ball. After the full set all players move one spot to the right and start over. To make this drill more interesting 1 player can hit with the coach, some players can imitate the shots and others can work together and replace racquet with a medicine ball (throwing and transferring the weight).

General

Keep your legs low Forehand Dr...

The player wears resistance bands to maintain low position. The player performs regular forehands paying attention to maintaining low position all the time.

General

Turns with medicine ball.mp4 F...

Player sits on the ground with medicine ball in hands. Player performs turn to the left, leaves the ball, turns to the right and takes the ball. Player uses core muscles to control the movement. Legs should be on the ground at all times.

General

Backhand 3 Wide Balls Backhand...

Coach stands in front of the player. Coach tosses 3 different balls to the backhand side. First ball is close to the player; second ball is between the middle and the sideline; last ball is close to the sideline. Player hits and recovers after each shot.

General

Balance is everything Forehand...

Player stands on balance platforms. Coach feeds balls to the forehand side. Player executes forehand stroke while maintaining balance.

General

Forehand and Backhand Junior T...

Intention: Develop basic forehand and backhand technique.The group is divided into two- &quot;Hitters&quot; and &quot;Fielders&quot;.Hitters execute the drill, whilst fielders collect balls. Change roles after each player has 5 turns. Coach feeds simultaneously to the player at the front of each queue. Each player hits five balls (outside shot) and moves off the court and returns to the back of the opposite queue (players will alternate between forehand and backhand on each turn).NB: Coach must continue to reinforce key teaching points.

General

Close it on the line Backhand ...

In this drill, the player works on close stance while hitting backhand and standing behind the double alley. The coach throws the ball in front of the player, the player has to step on the line with right foot (sideways position) and hit backhand.

General

Backhand quick shadows Forehan...

2 cones are set on the ad side.Player runs to the side cone as fast as possible and hits backhand using open stance.Player recovers and runs again to the front cone hitting backhand using close stance.

General

Basic Backhand Technique- Prog...

Intention: Develop a basic backhand technique. Players in 2 lines on one side of the net, coach on the other side.Coach feeds simultaneously to the players in each line. Each player hits 3 balls and moves around to the other side of the court and collects 3 balls from the other.

General

Band and maintain Backhand Dri...

The player wears resistance cords (bands are attached to the waist and ankles), whilst hitting backhand strokes. Resistance cords forces the player to bend knees and maintain low position.

General

Basic Forehand Technique- Prog...

<p dir="ltr">Intention: Develop basic forehand technique. Players line up on one side of the net set up on a short court. Coach on the other side of the net. Coach feeds the ball to the first player in the line. Each player hits the ball 3 times. Shot is a forehand played with a neutral hitting stance and the player is to finish balanced on one foot. Those in the line mimic the shot of the player playing the ball. Once the player has had their three shots, they collect three balls to return to the hopper before joining the back of the line. 

General

Balanced backhand throw Backha...

Get the player to stand on balance platforms in a close stance. The coach then throws a medicine ball to the backhand side. The player should then imitate a backhand by throwing the ball back to the coach.

General

Play from back leg Forehand Dr...

The player stands in square stance and the coach stands in front of the player. The coach feeds balls behind the front leg. The player has to put body weight on back leg and hit forehand while maintaning balance.

General

Passing shots Forehand & Backh...

Starting with a feed to either forehand or backhand at random players play their first shot down the line after which the players can play out the point. No lobs allowed.

General

Dungeons Junior Tennis - Tenni...

Intention: Explore tactical development- &quot;Over and In&quot; and &quot;Hitting into space&quot; Each player starts the game with 3 lives (can be amended depending on time). Players at the front of the line take it in turns to hit a ball fed to them by the coach.  The players keep their lives if they successfully execute the shot by hitting the ball over and in. The player loses a life in one of the following ways: Hitting the ball out. Hitting the ball into the net. Hitting the ball after more than one bounce. Missing the ball.  Once the player has lost all 3 lives they are in the dungeon (coaches side of the net). If the coach or another player in the dungeon catches the ball without a bounce, the player loses a life. The only way out of the dungeon is to catch a shot from another player before it bounces, thus gaining one life.  The player with the most lives remaining at the end of the game is the winner.  

General

Basic Backhand Technique- Prog...

Intention: Develop basic backhand technique.Players line up on one side of the net with the coach on the other side of the net.Coach feeds the ball to the first player in the line. Each player hits the ball 3 times. Shot is a backhand played with a neutral hitting stance and the player is to finish balanced on one foot.Those in the line mimic the shoe of the player playing the ball. Once the player has had their 3 shots, they then collect 3 balls to return to the hopper before joining the back of the line.

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

Old-school slice as a modern w...

Player stands on the baseline. Coach feeds high topspin ball into the backhand corner. Player tries to hit the ball with backhand slice without moving back.Drill specifications:1-4 repetitions per setWith less players on the court coach can work with one student while others are performing specific fitness drills or shadowing the high backhand slice to get comfortable with this motion. With more players on the court coach can put one player as a feeder and let him work on this tactical ball at the same time while others are working on responses to this high topspin shot.

General

Distance To The Forehand Foreh...

Player starts on the baseline.Coach feeds the balls to the forehand side.Player jumps on left leg and executes forehand on left leg.<br>

General

Tennis Ball Catching Goal keep...

General

Comfortable full court backhan...

Player stands on the baseline.Coach throws 3 balls to the backhand side: deep, to the side and inside the court.Player takes proper position, hits backhand and recovers to the middle after every shot.

General

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stance DRILL CATEGORIES
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Junior Tennis Drills
Junior Tennis Drills
stance SESSIONS
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Feeling Comfortable At The Front Of The Court

To improve skills that are necessary to take advantage of short balls and win points at the net.

Hit the Perfect Forehand!

Don't get your player's feet in a muddle! Work on their footwork to hit the perfect forehand

Sending and receiving low balls

Help your players to reach low balls and then send their own with this session, working on the right technique and thinking tactically, for the right moment

New Approach to Backhand Rally

Approach the backhand by starting with the fundamentals. Get players movement up to scratch to be in the best position to make an effective stroke.

The Importance Of Footwork

Teach your players the importance of correct footwork and how it can win them more games!

Small Court, Bigger Possibilities

To work on technical and physical fundamentals

Control The Rally With Backhand Shot

Develop different forms of backhand to maintain effectiveness during a match and understand how tactical decision impact technical preparation to make proper adjustments when needed.

Master open stance with forehand stroke

Don?t let your forehand get predictable. Leave your opponent guessing with an open stance to give you the chance to hit it wherever you like!

Hitting the backhand with the right footwork!

Watch your players glide around the court, with this backhand session plan. Focus on perfecting the right footwork and see those groundstrokes sail down the line!

Come Alive at the Net!

Encourage your players to play positive tennis by coming into the net. This plan will develop your player’s ability to volley at the net, plucking the ball out of thin air!

Useful Techniques for a better Volley

These fun and challenging exercises teach players the correct volley stance and technique, just like the volley master John McEnroe!

Attacking and Defensive Cross Court Shots

By keeping it simple and hitting cross court shots your player will avoid unforced errors and manipulate their opponent into returning the ball so they can hit their favourite point winning shot
stance ANSWERS
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Backhand grip

In Nick Saviano's book, Maximum Tennis, Andre Agassi is said to have a very 'soft' left hand on his backhand, and yet often I hear and read many tips suggesting a very dominant, or active, supporting hand for the two handed backhand. Especially now, with the more semi-open stanced players, what should I suggest when teaching the backhand to developing players?

Archived User Coach

re The Art of Feeding

I received your email on 'The Art of Feeding' and like to read your suggestions of drills. When looking at your suggested drills on this newsletter, I would like to ask for a bit of clarification on the coaching point 'as players move sideways they must take last step towards ball at contact'. I thought that the player must have stopped before making contact with the ball. Do you mean that the player's balance takes him into another step at contact? I'm really interested in your drills and plan to make a purchase in the near future. Best wishes, Nick-submitted by email

Sportplan Team Coach, United Kingdom

Ideas For Ball Skills - Tennis

Hey. im doing a camp for tennis in the holidays, but im not actually coaching tennis, ive gota coach them 'ball skills' for like hand and eye coordination etc etc.. Was wondering if anyone had any ideas... ?

Cindy Harvey Coach, England

What is the most effective serve in racquetball?

What is the most effective serve in racquetball?

Archived User Coach

How to teach single and double-handed backhands to U10s?

teaching single and doublehanded backhands to under 10s

Archived User Coach

How do you teach position anticipation?

My daughter has the fundamentals and strokes but lacks where to anticipate her position on the court to finish out the point.

Archived User Coach

TopSpin Forehand

How should I put more topspin and depth and height on my forehand shots, I want to get it more consistent and practice putting more power on them.

stefo Coach, United States of America

Position of the coach when fee...

hi. My name is Letty . Im a young coach trying to get level1 (ITF). Kindly help me with the position of the coach when trying to get a player u12 to practice passing.is it wrong for the coach to be in the service box or not?

Letlhogonolo M Matenge Coach, Botswana

prepare 10 years boy for compe...

how can i prepare 10 years boy for competetions?

Abdul Alsuroor Coach, United Kingdom

Psychology in tennis HELP! My ...

Psychology in tennis HELP!!! I have a daughter who is an excellent player who only started playing tennis seriously last yr at the age of 13. She is a much better player than all the people she has completed against in matches but always loses due to over hitting and getting upset if the wrong call is made (which happens frequently due to how fast she hits and serves) do we need some sort of psychological help for this. what is the best way to get this... books, councilling ??? any help would be most appreciated thanks

Archived User Coach

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