Tennis: Take Pace Off With Control

-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.

Players rally up and down the middle of the court with 1 player at the baseline and one at the net.

The aim of the drill is to hit as many balls in 1 minute as possible, counting as they go.

The minute period is repeated 5 times with players resting for 1 minute between each repetition to recover and collect balls ready for the next drill.

Players should continuously try to beat their own score each time, but this drill can also be made competitive by comparing the scores between other pairs of players.

Before the player begins this drill the coach should demonstrate the correct way to play the stroke while explaining the important details about the shot.

Firstly the players should practise the motion of the forehand and then backhand stroke.

Secondly the coach should gently throw balls to the player, who has to perform a half volley using their hand.

Players face each other at the net, and rally together with control volleys while moving across the net.