Player stands on the baseline. Coach faces the player. Coach throws different balls to one side. Player hits angle shot and recovers.
Drill specifications:
1-5 reps per set
Close drills can be easily adjusted to the different numbers of players. Coach can make this drill really dynamic by switching the players after only one hit. This variation is a great way to stay in the rhythm of hitting and to learn from others while waiting only few seconds for own turn. To improve cooperation and teamwork coach can put one of the players to feed the ball however coach has to be aware of player’s feeding skills and give him instructions on where to aim with the feed. While having a someone to feed coach can stay next to the hitting players and constantly give feedback about their performance.
Close situation is a great environment to focus just on one thing and accelerate learning process of players. Performing simple drills will let players think more about the technique so they can learn how to execute any stroke. Hitting angles can be difficult at the beginning because this shot requires specific adjustments to the player’s technique. Regular groundstrokes use extension of the arm while putting the ball shorter and closer to the sideline is the shot where wrist plays dominant role. Ability to isolate and accelerate the last phase of the shot using mostly the wrist is the skill that many Spaniards show during clay court season.
In this drill players work on hitting angles from different positions on the court. Hitting balls all the time from the same spot is not the environment that players are going to meet during the tournaments. Match play requires constant adaptations because there are not 2 exactly the same balls in tennis. Coach should give different balls according to the placement to make players aware of neccesary adjustments. Balls closer to the sideline, higher or outside the doubles alley are examples of situations that the opponent can put our players into so they have to know how to deal with it.
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