Tennis: Make that backhand!

Player moves around the cones as fast as possible and hits backhand cross court.

Player A stands in the ad corner, and player B tries to hit all balls to the ad corner. If the ball bounces in front of the cones, player A hits backhand down the line. If the ball bounces behind the cones, player A hits backhand cross court.

The player starts on the baseline and is fed 3 balls all to the advantage side. The balls should be fed deep, medium and then short. The player hits all of the balls backhand down the line before moving back to the centre of the baseline and then moves forward ready for the next ball.

The player starts on the baseline and is fed 3 balls all to the advantage side. The balls should be fed deep, medium and then short. The player hits all of the balls backhand down the line and moves forward ready for the next ball.

Player stands in the deuce corner. Coach feeds difficult ball to the ad side. Player hits backhand down the line on the run.  

In this drill, the player works on hitting with high trajectory over the net. This exercise forces players to swing from low to high to achieve good consistency. Visual target gives immediate feedback to kids about the previous shot. Young players love fun games so coaches have to prepare the lesson with this thought in mind. More interesting targets we put on the court, more motivated the players are to work hard and fight. That's why coaches should always change targets to make a quality lesson with youngsters.

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.

Player stands on the baseline. Coach throws 4 balls using specific pattern: deep ad side, short ad side, deep middle, short middle. Player moves to the ball and executes backhand every time.

Coach stands in front of the player between the service boxes. The player stands close to the baseline. The coach feeds the ball from their own side to the backhand side of the player. The player needs to move and respond with a backhand around shoulder height

The player rallies with a coach using only backhand strokes and has to stay inside the court during entire rally.

Coach rallies with a player using only backhand cross-court shots. Player tries to hit all the balls deep into the zone. Coach tries to put as many balls as possible behind the sideline to force the player to hit from the doubles alley.

Coach serves to the player from the deuce side. Player moves into position to hit a backhand return cross court. Cones should be placed in the corner of the deuce side to give the player a target to aim for.

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.

Players start the drill by rallying cross-court from the backhand corners. Player 1 can choose to slice a backhand down the line at any time and the point is then live. Player 1 can choose to hit the slice as an approach, or simply as a change of direction/pace in the rally. Players can play first to 7 points before player 2 has a turn at being the slicing player. If a mistake is made before the slice has been hit, it is not counted and the score remains the same. Players can find the slice down the line a difficult shot to play, particularly if they are used to using 2 hands on their backhand. They should be reminded to turn their shoulders well and follow the line of the ball with their feet and body. Players should make sure that they are in a good position to play the down the line shot, and be aware that in doing so they will be changing the pace, spin, direction, and flight path of the ball. Take care on it!

Players are working cross-court from their backhand corners and have to hit a backhand slice off every single ball. They also have to slice the ball deeper than the service line and cannot dropshot or come to the net. If a player has to hit a forehand or a topspin backhand they lose the point straight away. Players must take it in turns to feed the ball in and the point is played out in this way in the half-court with the tramlines being out, first to 11 points.

Although it's possible to hit a slice from two-hands players should be encouraged to play this shot with one hand as it is far easier and more versatile. Use lots of small steps to prepare and position yourself for the shot - feet should run parallel with the tram lines. Bring the racquet up in preparation for the shot, with your second hand gently holding the throat of the racquet (this hand will release before the shot is played). Swing forward and downward towards the ball (the more downward momentum the more spin will be applied to the ball)

Good warm up to use between players. Stand close to the net on opposite sides and backhand slice the ball to each other.

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, 2 players, and a basket of balls. Coach feeds from just inside the t junction of the service box to the corner of the singles court. Player 1 starts off on the centre of the baseline, and moves to meet the feed and hit a deep backhand down the line, then recovers to the start position. Coach feeds 3 balls for player 1 then the players rotate.

Coach, 2 players, and a basket of balls. Coach feeds ball 1 from just inside the t junction of the service box to the corner of the singles court. Player 1 starts off on the centre of the baseline, and moves to meet the feed and hit a deep backhand down the line, then recovers to the start position. Coach feeds ball 2 mid court for player 1 to step into and hit a backhand down the line. Player 2 steps in and the drill is repeated.