Tennis: Side to side safe defense 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

Player feeds an easy lob to the coach, who then returns with a smash shot.

The player has to return the coach's shot using a defensive lob and then a forehand slice - note the coach should hold his/her racquet obove his/her head after the smash to give the player a target to aim over.

Repeat the drill, but the coach should hit the smash so the player has to return it using a backhand defensive shot and then a slice.

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.

Players should perform their regular warm up activities based on running and dynamic stretching. The coach should also set up physical exercises related to the session's topic.

Introduce jump rope to raise the player's heart rate.

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.