Tennis: Attacking Midcourt Balls

The coach feeds into the service area. -Before the coach feeds Player 1 has to nominate the corner into which they hit their approach shot. -Player 1 plays an approach shot Player 2 has to hit down the line, Player 2 then finishes the rally at the net.

- Coach feeds the ball short. - Player has to hit an approach shot and then play a rally.

-Player 1 is serving in shaded area all the time. -Player 2 is not allowed to stand in the tramlines before player 1 serves. -After the return play out the point. -Each pair keeps their score and plays first to 7 points.

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.

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.

Player starts from the service line. Coach feeds balls to the deuce side Player hits forehand volleys cross-court until he hits 2 times in a row into the zone After achieving this task, player aims at down the line direction with the same goal

Player stands at the middle of the service boxes. Coach feeds balls to the player at different heights (low, medium, high) Player has to return the ball by executing the shot from different contacts and on the volley

Coach stands on the player's side of the court and feeds the ball with the racquet off the ground. Player moves forward and hits an aggressive forehand.

Cones are set in front of the player inside the service boxes The coach alternates feeding to the forehand and to the backhand The player makes a split step over the cones, executes a regular volley and recovers behind the cones to start the action with the other volley too.

Coach alternates feeding low and high short balls to the deuce side. Player moves inside the court and hits offensive forehand into side zones from both points of contact.  

Coach feeds the ball to the ad side. Player moves forward, hits an attacking backhand cross-court and moves into the net. Coach hits the ball back, cross-court. The player finishes with a controlled deep backhand volley down the line.

- Coach feeds in the ball. - The net player can hit any ball, but cannot go behind the service line. - Rotate after 6 points.

This drill should be used to help players deal with easy balls and get them to attack the ball. The coach starts the drill with a mid-court feed, at various heights. The player has to hit the ball to the targets either deep or angled. The coach feeds 6 balls and then the next player starts.

Player starts on the baseline Coach alternates feeding low and high short balls to the backhand side Player moves forward and hits offensive backhand into side zones from different points of contact

The coach seres to the player on the ad side. The player moves into position, lets the ball bounce and return with a backhand cross court side to the oach's ad side. Coach then return and again the player lets the ball bounce before returning it with a backhand cross court shot. Keeping the rally going the coach returns the ball high. The player has to move into position up the court and return using a backhand drive volley while the ball is still in the air. Note the three consecutive balls should be played as if in a rally.

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.

Coach feeds balls to the deuce side. Player alternates hitting deep forehand cross-court and forehand angle cross-court.

The coach feeds 2 balls to the ad side and 1 ball to the deuce side Player hits backhand cross-court, backhand down the line and forehand cross-court Coach feeds the last ball shorter to the ad side Player finishes with attacking backhand down the line

Working on volleys should be incorporated in the early stages of learning tennis It is not purely about volleying well but it is about not being scared of the incoming ball as also playing without the bounce and without the backswing Kids who are introduced to the net game on mini-court find it easier to come to the net also while playing on bigger court so this transition is smoother if the proper approach is taken with smaller court and softer balls

The player stands on the baseline Coach alternates feeding deep and short balls to the deuce side The player hits forehand cross-court from the baseline, attacking forehand down the line from the mid court, forehand down the line from the baseline and attacking forehand cross-court from the mid court area