The coach stands in front of the player and throws 1 short 1 deep ball to the backhand side. Player's goal is to hit backhands moving inside and outside of the baseline.
Proper footwork is crucial if we are thinking about effective tennis play. Many mistakes are made because of improper legs' work so that is why players have to spend more time on drills that are based on intense footwork. Having strong legs and being quick are 2 skills that make us play better as also increase our self-confidence because we know our capabilities.
In this drill, the player works on backhand stroke and footwork. By mixing short and deep balls, the coach forces player to perform intense work with legs. This task strengthens legs, improves positioning, as also gives possibilities to have effective point of contact with all shots. The coach should also emphasise proper tactical solutions meaning that short balls should be attacked and deep balls should be played with more spin and clearance over the net.
Most club players practise the serve on its own and then have no idea what to do with the ball that comes back. Serve plus one is the pattern that turns a good serve into a won point.
Wimbledon has just crowned another champion, and if you watched closely you saw the same thing every year: the best returners quietly won the tournament. Here is how to coach a return that pressures the server rather than just surviving it.
Wimbledon arrives at the end of June and the grass court swing transforms how the game is played. Low bounces, slippery footing, and rewards for forward play demand a different tactical mindset. Here is how to coach it.