Tennis: Turn and Hit

Get your players on their toes and reacting quicker than ever before to win those all important points

Player side steps until the coach drops a ball.

The player must catch the ball before the second bounce. Players can also start from a stationary position with heels of the ground or hopping on one leg or criss crossing the legs or with player starting with their back to coach and the coach shouting out when throwing the ball.

Player 1 is feeding and can start halfway between the service line and the net with arms outstretched at shoulder height.

Player 2 is working, starting in the ready position on the baseline, but remaining active on the spot.

Player 1 must drop either of the 2 balls they have outstretched in their hands. As soon as player 2 sees this they must sprint forwards and try to get to the ball after 1 bounce.

They then throw the ball back to player 1 and shuffle their feet moving backwards in a relaxed way to get into the start position for the next feed.

Players hit one ball before running round the court to the other end.

Each player gets 3 lives and loses one if they make a mistake, or fail to get into position on time. Alternatively players can collect letters for each mistake they make until they spell a work (like donkey).

The winner is the one left standing.

The coach can state at any time for the players to change direction in the way they are running around the court, even mid rally!

Coach feeds three balls per player from the basket.

Players should aim to hit the targets (as in diagram - can use cones to mark out targets).

The aim is to encourage players to progressively attack on the move.