Here is a great groundstroke drill. It will help correct many different problems: footwork, racquet prep, height and speed, and it helps a player increase depth. However, prepare to get pegged when your player tires.
You start with your player standing just behind the baseline at the center hashmark. You kneel about 6 feet in front, off to the side with a 60-ball hopper. Toss low balls to the player: your toss should be less than two feet high, and dead balls work best. Player shuffles, hits the ball on the rise and shuffles back to the hashmark. Repeat until the hopper is empty, varying placement from standard feed, to wide, to at the body. As the player tires, it's important to remind them to get thier racquet back early, bend thier knees, and to keep thier back straight.
Surprisingly, players love this drill - it's exhausting for them, especially on the backhand side, which requires more steps. If a player can hit all 60 balls in play, watch out, you have a soon to be superstar on your hands.
This site is for anyone who wants to create fun, innovative practices that will engage your athletes, reduce coaching stress, and WIN more matches. The KEY is getting players motivated to put in FULL EFFORT each time they take to the court. "Have Fun and Play Hard"
Monday, March 26, 2012
Zig-Zag Drill
This drill is done with 4 players.
This drill helps players hit crosscourt ground strokes and down the line volleys.
On one side of the court there will be 2 players at the baseline. One on the deuce side the other on the ad side. The other side of the net there will be 2 players playing at the net. One on the deuce side and the other on the ad side.
One of the players at the baseline starts the rally cross court to one of the players at the net. The player at the net must hit the ball down the line. Continue this method, the players at the baseline hits cross court and players at the net hit down the line. Switch roles after a while so the players at the baseline get to hit some volleys and vise versa for the players at the net.
Also be sure to switch sides of the court with your partner so you can hit forehands and backhand crosscourt.
This drill helps players hit crosscourt ground strokes and down the line volleys.
On one side of the court there will be 2 players at the baseline. One on the deuce side the other on the ad side. The other side of the net there will be 2 players playing at the net. One on the deuce side and the other on the ad side.
One of the players at the baseline starts the rally cross court to one of the players at the net. The player at the net must hit the ball down the line. Continue this method, the players at the baseline hits cross court and players at the net hit down the line. Switch roles after a while so the players at the baseline get to hit some volleys and vise versa for the players at the net.
Also be sure to switch sides of the court with your partner so you can hit forehands and backhand crosscourt.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Attack and Retreat
Setup: The players are divided into two teams and start at the opposite baselines. The instructor feeds the ball from the net post.
Description: The instructor feeds the ball to one of the teams, who play out the point. The winning team gets a short ball and attacks the net. If they win the point they score a point and stay at the net. If they lose the point, they retreat back to their baseline, and the other team gets a short ball to attack the net. Teams can only score points at the net; baseline teams do not get points even if they win the rally. The first team to get to 10 points is the winner. This is a fast paced and fun drill that players love.
Description: The instructor feeds the ball to one of the teams, who play out the point. The winning team gets a short ball and attacks the net. If they win the point they score a point and stay at the net. If they lose the point, they retreat back to their baseline, and the other team gets a short ball to attack the net. Teams can only score points at the net; baseline teams do not get points even if they win the rally. The first team to get to 10 points is the winner. This is a fast paced and fun drill that players love.
The Wave
This is optimal for a big group of 8 people:
You will have two teams of 4, and ask each team to grab a partner (So a total of 2 pairs on each team)
The first team on each side stands at the baseline for the point, while the pro feeds from the net to either side. Position yourself so that you can feed to either side quickly.
The first ball is fed in and anything goes. Whichever side wins the point gets to begin the next point from the service line, and the feed goes to a new pair on the other side of the net. They are instructed to hit passing shots (no lob on the first ball), and will play out against the net team. If they lose the point, they will again quickly switch with the other pair on their team. However, if they win, they will advance forward on their side to the service line, and the ball will be fed to a new team on the other side replacing the pair that was at the service line, now at the baseline.
In this game, you will keep track of score, and points are only awarded to the team who wins the point from starting at the service line. No points are awarded when knocking the opposing team off the service line.
The object of the game is to shift and move at the net as a doubles team, and look to close off the net using drop volleys, sharp angle-volleys. It also allows you to work on your passing shots from the baseline, hitting balls with topspin low at volleyer’s feet and looking to move in.
The game can also be played with 4, so instead of switching out teams you just stay together and backpedal back.
You will have two teams of 4, and ask each team to grab a partner (So a total of 2 pairs on each team)
The first team on each side stands at the baseline for the point, while the pro feeds from the net to either side. Position yourself so that you can feed to either side quickly.
The first ball is fed in and anything goes. Whichever side wins the point gets to begin the next point from the service line, and the feed goes to a new pair on the other side of the net. They are instructed to hit passing shots (no lob on the first ball), and will play out against the net team. If they lose the point, they will again quickly switch with the other pair on their team. However, if they win, they will advance forward on their side to the service line, and the ball will be fed to a new team on the other side replacing the pair that was at the service line, now at the baseline.
In this game, you will keep track of score, and points are only awarded to the team who wins the point from starting at the service line. No points are awarded when knocking the opposing team off the service line.
The object of the game is to shift and move at the net as a doubles team, and look to close off the net using drop volleys, sharp angle-volleys. It also allows you to work on your passing shots from the baseline, hitting balls with topspin low at volleyer’s feet and looking to move in.
The game can also be played with 4, so instead of switching out teams you just stay together and backpedal back.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Basic Approach Shot Drill
The Forehand Approach
The players line up behind the center mark on the baseline. The coach or a ball machine feeds a short forehand. The player, hitting on the run, hits down the line to the opposition's backhand corner. He or she follows the shot a few steps and then exits to the alley so the next player in line can take a turn.
Depending on the ability and game-style of your players, you may find it better to work with just one or two players in this drill.
Approach + First Volley When players consistently put the approach deep in the corner, then you add the first volley to the drill. So, instead of exiting after hitting the approach shot, a player plays the next shot too-a first volley down the line, deep into the same corner. He or she follows it a few steps into the forecourt and exits to the alley so the next player can take a turn. (This introduces the idea of a set-up shot)
Approach + First Volley + Put-Away Volley When players consistently put the first volley deep to the backhand corner, then you add the second volley to the drill-a crosscourt angle shot. (This introduces the idea of a finishing shot.)
The Backhand Approach To drill the backhand approach, you run the mirror image of this drill. Feed short shots to the left court. The players hit backhand approach shots and first volleys down the line, then they hit put-away volleys to the opposite alley. Start drilling the Backhand Approach as soon as the players have some success on the forehand side. If you wait too long, they get such a head case about their backhand approach being weaker that they never attempt it.
Tactics Approach shots need to be deep. But they do NOT need to be fast, especially if you hit them with topspin. In fact, the most common mistake in approach shots is whamming them. It's good if your approach shot eats some time. Then you get closer to the net for your first volley.
Conventional wisdom says that underspin approach shots are best. They are so reliable and easy to hit on the run. Which means they get you closer to the net for your first volley. Even if one lands a little short, its topspin usually gets the opponent moving backward to play it from deep. Some touring pros (notably Andre Agassi) prefer topspin too. So, you'll have to decide which side of that argument you're on.
Do not hit approach shots at a sharp angle. That's because an angle-shot's Angle of Return is a fright = you can easily be passed. Yes, John McEnroe followed his screaming angle shots to the net. You should do likewise, both to get out of no man's land and to be in position to put away a return. But if you view screaming angle shots as approach shots, you're going to be whamming them just to get to net. That's unnecessarily risky. Use the (high-percentage) regular approach shot for that, instead.
Screaming angle shots are attempted winners, not approach shots. Like a basketball player, you do follow them. Nevertheless, just as a basketball player puts up a shot to score, not to get a rebound, you do not hit screaming angle shots to get to net. For, unless they are VERY forcing, you are in trouble if the ball comes back.
A note about feeding the ball in drills: You give those you're drilling better practice if you keep a cart or sack of balls and feed a new one for each shot-especially when feeding lobs.
The players line up behind the center mark on the baseline. The coach or a ball machine feeds a short forehand. The player, hitting on the run, hits down the line to the opposition's backhand corner. He or she follows the shot a few steps and then exits to the alley so the next player in line can take a turn.
Depending on the ability and game-style of your players, you may find it better to work with just one or two players in this drill.
Approach + First Volley When players consistently put the approach deep in the corner, then you add the first volley to the drill. So, instead of exiting after hitting the approach shot, a player plays the next shot too-a first volley down the line, deep into the same corner. He or she follows it a few steps into the forecourt and exits to the alley so the next player can take a turn. (This introduces the idea of a set-up shot)
Approach + First Volley + Put-Away Volley When players consistently put the first volley deep to the backhand corner, then you add the second volley to the drill-a crosscourt angle shot. (This introduces the idea of a finishing shot.)
The Backhand Approach To drill the backhand approach, you run the mirror image of this drill. Feed short shots to the left court. The players hit backhand approach shots and first volleys down the line, then they hit put-away volleys to the opposite alley. Start drilling the Backhand Approach as soon as the players have some success on the forehand side. If you wait too long, they get such a head case about their backhand approach being weaker that they never attempt it.
Tactics Approach shots need to be deep. But they do NOT need to be fast, especially if you hit them with topspin. In fact, the most common mistake in approach shots is whamming them. It's good if your approach shot eats some time. Then you get closer to the net for your first volley.
Conventional wisdom says that underspin approach shots are best. They are so reliable and easy to hit on the run. Which means they get you closer to the net for your first volley. Even if one lands a little short, its topspin usually gets the opponent moving backward to play it from deep. Some touring pros (notably Andre Agassi) prefer topspin too. So, you'll have to decide which side of that argument you're on.
Do not hit approach shots at a sharp angle. That's because an angle-shot's Angle of Return is a fright = you can easily be passed. Yes, John McEnroe followed his screaming angle shots to the net. You should do likewise, both to get out of no man's land and to be in position to put away a return. But if you view screaming angle shots as approach shots, you're going to be whamming them just to get to net. That's unnecessarily risky. Use the (high-percentage) regular approach shot for that, instead.
Screaming angle shots are attempted winners, not approach shots. Like a basketball player, you do follow them. Nevertheless, just as a basketball player puts up a shot to score, not to get a rebound, you do not hit screaming angle shots to get to net. For, unless they are VERY forcing, you are in trouble if the ball comes back.
A note about feeding the ball in drills: You give those you're drilling better practice if you keep a cart or sack of balls and feed a new one for each shot-especially when feeding lobs.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
High Volley
This drill can handle a large group, a variety of levels and it's a great cardio drill. Players start in one line near the singles sideline and the baseline. The first player runs to the cone and splits then shuffles to the next cone and then hits a closing high volley from the pro's toss. That player then moves around the extra cones and goes back in line. The next player starts when the first player starts to shuffle. So the drill moves pretty fast. For variety you can incorporate different physical activities between the cones on the side for example, a ladder station. You can also use a variety of tosses moving the player up, back or over. For safety make sure the players hit the volley down the line. You can also adjust the space between the cones based on the number of players in the drill.
Approach Shot Drill
This drill is a good drill to help you practice your approach shots.
The drillee starts on the baseline while the ball feeder starts on the other side of the court at the baseline. The drill starts by the feeder hitting a groundstroke to the drillee. The drillee returns the ball and the feeder returns a short ball. The drillee closes in and hits an approach shot down the line and closes the net. If the feeder can return the approach shot then play out the point.
Be sure to practice both the slice approach shot and the topspin approach shot. Also be sure to practice both the backhand and the forehand side.
The drillee starts on the baseline while the ball feeder starts on the other side of the court at the baseline. The drill starts by the feeder hitting a groundstroke to the drillee. The drillee returns the ball and the feeder returns a short ball. The drillee closes in and hits an approach shot down the line and closes the net. If the feeder can return the approach shot then play out the point.
Be sure to practice both the slice approach shot and the topspin approach shot. Also be sure to practice both the backhand and the forehand side.
Volley Tag
Required: 2 players, balls and some court time.
Designed to focus to hit vollies at the feet of the opponent. Works wonders in club play as most club players seem to miss the easy put away volley as they have a lack of focus. Also teaches the player(s) to dig those same balls out and react. And stops the worst thing in doubles - Just standing there.
Start 1 - Step in from the service line. Either player feeds in the ball and the pair continue to rally. The object is to react on the 1st ball to cross high and slow over the net from a weak volley and punch it down aiming at your opponent's feet.
Play 1st to 21 points with instant game if a foot or lower leg is hit. If someone gets tagged in the body from a wild volley, they lose 10 points.
Remember:
Do not stand still
Do not forget the net position
A Bad vollier moving well is a great team mate and a match winner.
A Bad vollier not mooving.
Designed to focus to hit vollies at the feet of the opponent. Works wonders in club play as most club players seem to miss the easy put away volley as they have a lack of focus. Also teaches the player(s) to dig those same balls out and react. And stops the worst thing in doubles - Just standing there.
Start 1 - Step in from the service line. Either player feeds in the ball and the pair continue to rally. The object is to react on the 1st ball to cross high and slow over the net from a weak volley and punch it down aiming at your opponent's feet.
Play 1st to 21 points with instant game if a foot or lower leg is hit. If someone gets tagged in the body from a wild volley, they lose 10 points.
Remember:
Do not stand still
Do not forget the net position
A Bad vollier moving well is a great team mate and a match winner.
A Bad vollier not mooving.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
"Forehand/Backhand"
This is a great drill for practicing your strokes as well as "thinking" about the stroke your going to play.
One player can only hit forehands, but they can hit the ball anywhere in the court. The other player must hit forehands crosscourt, and backhands straight down the line. In other words, they must always play to the forehand side of the other player. Any balls landing in the backhand side are out, and the point goes to the forehand player. Volleys can be played but the same rules apply, only forehands by the forehand player, and the other forehands crosscourt or backhands straight up the line. You play the first one to 11 points by 2. Thinking is really important, especially by the player only playing forehands, they must "think before they play the shot", what the best shot will be to play. Once 11 points has been reached, swop roles. Then play the same with backhands only. You need to play this a couple of times to get the idea, but its a great training game, for stroke production, movement and tactics.
One player can only hit forehands, but they can hit the ball anywhere in the court. The other player must hit forehands crosscourt, and backhands straight down the line. In other words, they must always play to the forehand side of the other player. Any balls landing in the backhand side are out, and the point goes to the forehand player. Volleys can be played but the same rules apply, only forehands by the forehand player, and the other forehands crosscourt or backhands straight up the line. You play the first one to 11 points by 2. Thinking is really important, especially by the player only playing forehands, they must "think before they play the shot", what the best shot will be to play. Once 11 points has been reached, swop roles. Then play the same with backhands only. You need to play this a couple of times to get the idea, but its a great training game, for stroke production, movement and tactics.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Short Ball Feast
This drill is to help players hit winners off of their opponent's shots that land short.
Grab a bucket of balls and set one player up at the center of the service line and you feed them balls from the other side of the court. Feed the ball so they land short and the other player is able to step in and hit hard winners. Continue feeding the player short balls until they are tired and then switch roles. Be sure to feed balls to both sides of the player.
The better the player the further back you can have them start and the deeper you can hit the short shots. For beginners the service line is a good place to start. For advanced players just inside the baseline is a good place to start. This will allow both skill levels to step into the ball and be on the offensive.
This is one of my favorite drills because you can really come out swinging hard. But remember, the best shots are not always the hardest hit. Make sure you can hit the ball into the corners consistently. You can easily hit a winner from this position hitting 70-80% as hard as you can depending on the situation.
Grab a bucket of balls and set one player up at the center of the service line and you feed them balls from the other side of the court. Feed the ball so they land short and the other player is able to step in and hit hard winners. Continue feeding the player short balls until they are tired and then switch roles. Be sure to feed balls to both sides of the player.
The better the player the further back you can have them start and the deeper you can hit the short shots. For beginners the service line is a good place to start. For advanced players just inside the baseline is a good place to start. This will allow both skill levels to step into the ball and be on the offensive.
This is one of my favorite drills because you can really come out swinging hard. But remember, the best shots are not always the hardest hit. Make sure you can hit the ball into the corners consistently. You can easily hit a winner from this position hitting 70-80% as hard as you can depending on the situation.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Cross Court / Cross Court
Most shots in tennis are played cross court. This allows the players to hit over the lower point of the net and also allows more room for error since the court is longer in the diagonal direction rather than down the line.
Each player should start in the middle of the court. One player starts the rally by hitting cross court. Assuming both players are right handed or both are left handed, they will be practicing the same shot. Continue hitting the ball cross court until someone misses and then start over again. Make sure to return to the center of the court after each shot so that you don't cheat and stand closer to the corner than you normally would.
Be sure to switch it up and hit both backhands and forehands cross court. The backhand is a good one to focus on because many players will try to pick on the weaker side which is usually the backhand. If you can develop a deep cross court backhand you will set up a lot of good points.
The better you get the harder you can try and hit the ball. Only hit the forehand if you are practicing the cross court forehand.
Each player should start in the middle of the court. One player starts the rally by hitting cross court. Assuming both players are right handed or both are left handed, they will be practicing the same shot. Continue hitting the ball cross court until someone misses and then start over again. Make sure to return to the center of the court after each shot so that you don't cheat and stand closer to the corner than you normally would.
Be sure to switch it up and hit both backhands and forehands cross court. The backhand is a good one to focus on because many players will try to pick on the weaker side which is usually the backhand. If you can develop a deep cross court backhand you will set up a lot of good points.
The better you get the harder you can try and hit the ball. Only hit the forehand if you are practicing the cross court forehand.
Down the line / Down-the-line
Each player should start in the middle of the baseline, 1 person on each side of the court. One person starts the rally by hitting the ball down the line. The other person gets to the ball and hits the ball down the same line. One player should be hitting forehands while the other is hitting backhands. (Assuming both players are either right handed or left handed)
After the player hits the ball they should return to the center of the court and wait for the next down the line shot. It is important not to cheat and stand closer to the side line than you normally would during a match. Putting a cone at the center of the baseline and having the player shuffle thier feet around the cone after each shot will help with this and also work on footwork. Make sure that the players switch after a so many points so that both can practice the forehand and the backhand.
After the player hits the ball they should return to the center of the court and wait for the next down the line shot. It is important not to cheat and stand closer to the side line than you normally would during a match. Putting a cone at the center of the baseline and having the player shuffle thier feet around the cone after each shot will help with this and also work on footwork. Make sure that the players switch after a so many points so that both can practice the forehand and the backhand.
The Crosscourt / Down-the-line drill
With both players positioned at the baseline, one player hits all crosscourts and the other hits all down-the-line shots. Start with both players in their deuce corner. As soon as the crosscourter hits the first shot, he/she has to run to the other side of his/her court to get the partner's next shot, since it will be coming down the ad line. The object is not to hit winners, but to keep the ball in play. Start out hitting slowly and work up to harder shots. This develops good movement and is good for postioning. You want to get "planted" and ready to hit each shot, rather than lunging for it. It also drills each player's forehand and backhand, obviously. Switch roles after a while.
Rallying Deep
This is a drill that is always harder than it sounds. I always enjoyed the challenge of this drill. The purpose of this drill is to help you develop deeper groundstrokes.
This drill takes 2 people. The goal of this drill is to hit groundstrokes beyond the service line. Any groundstroke that lands before the service line you must stop and start completely over. The drill is simple, see how many balls you can keep in play. Set a number goal and try to beat it. Next time try a higher number. 20 is a good number to start with, that means you have to hit 10 groundstrokes and so does your partner. Start from there and see how many you can get to.
I used to play with a guy who would not let me leave the court until we did this drill and hit 50 in a row after our matches. It is tough, but very rewarding!!!
This drill takes 2 people. The goal of this drill is to hit groundstrokes beyond the service line. Any groundstroke that lands before the service line you must stop and start completely over. The drill is simple, see how many balls you can keep in play. Set a number goal and try to beat it. Next time try a higher number. 20 is a good number to start with, that means you have to hit 10 groundstrokes and so does your partner. Start from there and see how many you can get to.
I used to play with a guy who would not let me leave the court until we did this drill and hit 50 in a row after our matches. It is tough, but very rewarding!!!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Being King of the Court
Attacking Tennis:
- Coach feeds in the ball.
- The net player can hit any ball, but cannot go behind the service line.
- Rotate after 6 points.
- Coach feeds in the ball.
- The net player can hit any ball, but cannot go behind the service line.
- Rotate after 6 points.
COACHING POINTS
· Keep the ball away from the net person using lobs or passing shots
· Net player must keep looking forward even when the ball goes past them because they should develop the anticipation to intercept the ball.
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