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Tennis: Disturb opponent's strategy

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Nick, Tennis coach

DESCRIPTION

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

COACHING POINTS

In this drill, Player works on an effective response to balls hit to their own backhand side.

Opponents hit balls in this direction because they expect us to hit weak and shorter backhand stroke.

By knowing that, we can use different skills to surprise our opponent and make them change their game plan.

By changing strokes and spins using inside out forehands and backhand slices, we don't deliver expected shots to the opponent.

Additionally even if the ball is going to our weaker side we can use slice to keep the ball deep and low or hit offensive forehand so it simply means that we can still take advantage and put pressure on rival during this point.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Depth on the run:

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!

Forehand & Backhand Drill

Down the line and inside out:

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

Forehand & Backhand Drill

Directional confidence:

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.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

Dominate with two solutions:

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.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

2014186

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