Tennis: Deep position returns

Take the sting out of attacking shots with this defensive skills and strategies plan - to help your players return smashes, hit on the run and keep the point alive

Hitting on the run is a skill that has to be practiced often because players must learn to control the distance between the body and the ball and how to hit the shot while still moving.

In this exercise, the player aims for the middle of the court because it is the best defensive tactical return. This is because there is more court to aim for and the middle of the net is lower.

Players should also know that hitting on the run forces them to lose time as they stop, change direction and recover.

So tell your players to aim high over the net to gain additional recovery time while the ball is in the air.

The coach feeds 4 balls from the basket , alternating with a forehand and a backhand feed.

Player 1 must sprint across the court to play each of the shots on the run, defending them as deep as they can, looking to hit beyond the line.

The coach shouts out at the end of the four shots how many made it into the target zone, before the next player comes in.

The first player to 20 points wins!

Coach stands close to the net and feeds balls close to the net on the player's side of the court to mimic a drop shot.

Starting at the baseline the player has to run and hit a return drop shot down the line. Cones should be set out to give the player a target to aim for.

Players will be fed 2-6 balls each.

The balls are hit down the line into the target area as marked by the cones.

The feeding can be varied i.e. higher, faster or with more spin.