Coach feeds balls to the forehand side. Player hits forehand volley cross court and recovers to the cone. Proper spot after cross court forehand is on the ad side. Coach should explain to players that they have to be on the same side where they hit the ball. This rule is crucial at the net because player has to cover first down the line passing shot (down the line crosses the net faster than cross court).
Recovery at the net is of utmost importance. If we leave too much space for a skillful opponent, we can forget about winning the points. Coach has to explain to players that they have to position themselves on the same side where the ball is hit. This position is the best option because we have to cover down the line direction. Down the line has shorter distance to cross the net than cross court so this is a priority for a net player to intercept the passing shot. Many professional players (Sampras, Bryan's Brothers etc) win many points at the net not because they are great with volleys but because their position is so perfect.
Indoor courts give players less time and less room. Help them sharpen their split step, shorten their swing and stay calm, and winter becomes a season of real progress.
A tiebreak is a short sprint where every point is worth the same as a break of serve. The players who win them are rarely the ones who hit hardest. Here is how to coach the patterns, habits and scoreboard thinking that win the big points.
Most club players practise the serve on its own and then have no idea what to do with the ball that comes back. Serve plus one is the pattern that turns a good serve into a won point.
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