Tennis: The Volley Train

Players play out the point from the hand in the usual way. However if either player manages to hit a winning ball back behind* their opponent, wrong footing them, they get 2 points instead of 1. First to 11 points wins! * Back behind is a shot which is hit into the space the other player is running-away from. So it is a shot which wrong-foots your opponent.

Players rally together. Players have to pop the ball up before they hit across the net.

-Two or more players on each side of the net at the service line with one racket per team. -The first player hits one shot and passes the racket to the next team player. -This can be performed in one of the service boxes at first.

The player rallies with the coach using forehand cross-court After every shot, player moves to the cones and changes the location of the ball

Each player has 2 racquets and the players rally together. Each player has to catch the ball between the racquets before the ball is hit back.

Coach stands next to the player with racket in hand. Coach moves arm with the racket towards the side of the player (waist’s height). Player shadows backhand motion with the aim of moving the racket’s head below the coaches racket.

This is a simple relay race through the cones with some fun variations for your players: First person in each team balances the ball on their strings moving around the cones to the net and back (like an egg and spoon race) The ball is then passed to the strings of the person next in line, who repeat the run The first team to finish wins the race

-Pick two teams, one team are the hitters, the other the runners. -The hitters take it in turns to hit the ball over the net, back to the feeder or to a designated area.The coach has to choose the target according to players level of ability. -The team scores a point each time a shot is hit to the agreed target. -The runners take it in turn to run around the outside of the court, back to the team like relay race. -Once all of the running team have done a round they shout stop, and the points of the hitting team freeze. -The teams then swap sides and the new hitting team has to beat their score.

Players work together in pairs, each pair using the double service box as their area and with rackets not needed. Pairs start by standing facing each other and holding hands with their left hand as if shaking hands. With one ball between 2 players, players 'rally' by patting the ball to each other using their linked arms as the net. Pairs are working co-operatively to see who can get the longest rally. Players must keep their feet moving to get in the right position for each 'shot', dancing around the ball with adjustment steps whilst still staying linked to their partner. The pair with the longest rally after 5 minutes wins. After this pairs swap hands to attempt this with their non playing hand.

This is a speed development drill for tennis. Players line up along the outer tram line to start the race. Players run to the inner tram line and return back to the outer line, without stopping they run to the centre service line and return again, and then continue also run to both tram lines at the far end. The players will touch each line with their hand before moving to the next line.

Players stand opposite one another in the service boxes and play the point out. However, this time, the ball must be hit down into the court so that it bounces on the player's own side before it goes over the net (like in table tennis). The ball cannot therefore bounce before the opposing player makes contact with it themselves. Points can be played up to 21 in this way.

Coach hits a variety of shots including :- Top Spin Slice Lob Drives The player has to say aloud which shot it will be as soon as they see it, which could be before the ball is struck.

- Volley to each others Forehand only. -The first pair to successfully complete the task is the winner. - If it breaks down, go to the back of the queue. This then can be done with backhand volley only.

Players stay on the opposite sites of the net. Player A throws the ball underhand with dominant hand in cross court direction. Player B catches the ball and throws it back.

Targets are set to give a visual feedback to players. Players rally with each other, with both having to throw the ball below the upper bar. Sending and receiving are basic skills that all tennis players should be able to execute properly. Ability to catch the ball and throw it with a controlled motion helps players to learn tennis strokes in a quicker way. Coach should vary the targets of throwing according to the level of the kids.

-The players only use the service box and play without rackets. -Start with an over-arm throw from behind the service line (as if serving) and play out a rally with normal tennis rules. -When the player catches the ball they can only hold it for 1 second. When the player has the ball they cannot move there feet! -If the ball bounces they must use under-arm throws. If they catch it before bouncing, they can throw over-arm (as if volleying before bounce!) -First player to 7 points wins, as in the tie-break.

Player and coach stay close to the net on the deuce sides. Player and coach rally together using only controlled forehand slices.

Coach stands behind the player. Coach throws the ball and says "GO". Player turns around and catches the ball. 

-Without using a net, both players start with a ball. Starting simultaneously with an under arm throw they aim to keep both balls in play for as long as possible. -With more advanced players they can use the net and even rackets.

Players rally co-operatively down the middle of the court, standing between the service and baselines. However, they both must feed a ball in at the same time, so effectively there are 2 balls in play at once. Players try to get the longest rally they can within a certain set time period.