Tennis: Directional confidence

Player starts from the centre of the court. Coach feeds balls to the ad side. Player alternates hitting offensive forehand inside in and backhand drop shot down the line.  

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.

The player stands deep behind the baseline, with the coach on the service line (on the player's side of the court). The coach then feeds the ball to the player so he/she has to hit a defensive forehand back over the net. Once the player is able to hit forehands successfully ask them to return using a backhand stroke.

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!

2 players play points against each other. 3 zones are set on one side of the court. Zone 1 is the deepest one, zone 2 is the medium one, and zone 3 is the closest one to the net. Winners from different zones have different bonus points. Winners from zone 1 are for 1 point, from zone 2 for 2 points, and from zone 3 are for 3 points. Drill specifications : 2-3 points and switch The main emphasis should be put on hitting winners so players have to put maximum effort and focus on each stroke. Waiting players can work on their strength with medicine ball drills to improve their chances for hitting powerful winners especially from the short and medium-long balls.

Coach feeds 3 balls to 'deuce' side, 3 balls to the centre and 3 balls to 'ad' side. Coach uses deep, medium and short balls. Player hits all the balls deep to the 'ad' corner.

The coach feeds two balls to a player all on one side of the court. In response, the player hits one cross court shot, and then a shot down the line. After two shots, the player rotates and does the same from the opposite side (i.e. if forehand for first two shots, next two will be backhand).

Coach feeds balls to the backhand side. Player alternates hitting backhand slice cross-court and an inside-to-out forehand topspin.

Coach feeds first ball shorter to the ad side. Player moves inside the court and hits offensive forehand inside out. Coach feeds another ball short to the deuce side. Player finishes with forehand drop shot cross-court.  

Coach feeds the balls to the 'ad' side. Player alternates hitting backhand down the line and forehand inside out.

Coach feeds alternate ball 1 forehand followed by on backhand. Players hit two shots each before going to back of the que. Players have to ytry and hit the ball deep down the line.

The player stands in one corner of the court, with the coach on the opposite side of the baseline. The coach drops the ball from shoulder height and the player must sprint across the baseline and hit the ball, before returning to their starting position.

Set up as shown with three cones close to the net, with these cones being the player's target on their second shot. Player and coach stand at the net, and the coach feeds the ball to the forehand side. The Player hits a forehand volley to the coach who then hits it back to the backhand side, where the player must react quickly to backhand drop volley the ball cross-court, aiming to get the ball in between the three cones.

One player stands in the deuce corner, with their opponent stood in the middle of the baseline at the other end. They are moved around the court by the player in the deuce corner, who can hit the ball anywhere on the court, while the other player can only hit forehands to the deuce side.

Player starts on the baseline with the coach just in front of them, ready to feed the ball to them. The feed should be done in a 4 ball pattern: 1 short forehand, 1 short backhand, 1 deep forehand and 1 deep backhand. The player comes forward to the feed and plays the shot before returning to the baseline ready for the next feed.

Players stand opposite each other across the net, halfway between the service line and the net. They must gently tap the ball over the net using a little slice, both off the forehand and the backhand, cutting under the ball gently as if playing a dropshot. The drill can last for 5 minutes or so until players have begun to 'feel' the ball under maximum control.

2 players play points against each other. Player A has to finish the point in 3 shots to win. Drill specifications : 2-3 points and switch Points are short so players can play few rallies in a row before they switch. With more players on the court waiting players should perform physical activities to improve footwork or they can observe other players to learn different tactical approaches.

Coach rallies with player. Coach stays in ad corner. Coach uses own shots to move player around the court. Player hits all the balls back to the ad corner using only forehand stroke.

Player starts in centre, having recieved a ball from the backhand side of the court. Player has to hit back the 1st backhand the 2nd forehand and finishes with a backhand down the line into the open court.

Coach is stationed on feeding position 2 and players start off middle baseline and moves to hit forehand then moves to hit a backhand.