The coach rallies with a player. The player has to alternate hitting backhands with a racquet and throwing the ball with a hand.
As kids get more skilful with a racquet, coaches have to try implement rally drills. Kids see on TV that tennis is about 2 players hitting across the net so we have to also implement this kind of drills to keep it real. Rally doesn't have to mean hitting because it can also be performed in form of throwing or rolling. Creativity of a coach is the only limitation.
In this drill the player works on many physical skills at the same time. Because the player has to alternate hitting and throwing, there are requirements that she has to meet in pretty short time. Coordination (getting the racquet from the ground and hitting), ball perception (observing the ball), footwork (positioning to the ball) and many other technical and tactical skills can be developed in this simple exercise. To make it even more interesting, the coach can set the number of shots in a row needed to advance to the next level.
Tennis demands a unique combination of endurance, power, agility, and flexibility. Physical preparation determines how long careers last and how players perform when it matters most.
Ecological dynamics is transforming tennis coaching. This constraints-led approach develops adaptable, creative players who can solve problems in competition, not just execute drilled patterns.
The one-handed backhand is becoming rare, but when executed well, it remains one of tennis's most elegant and effective shots. Is it a dying art or a tactical advantage?