Tennis: Basic Forehand Technique- Progression 1

Intention: Develop basic forehand technique.

• Players line up on one side of the net set up on a short court. Coach on the other side of the net.
• Coach feeds the ball to the first player in the line.
• Each player hits the ball 3 times.
• Shot is a forehand played with a neutral hitting stance and the player is to finish balanced with toe facing down.
• Those in the line mimic the shot of the player playing the ball.
• Once the player has had their three shots, the collect three balls to return to the hopper before joining the back of the line. 

Intention: Develop basic backhand technique.

• Players line up on one side of the net with the coach on the other side of the net.
• Coach feeds the ball to the first player in the line. 
• Each player hits the ball 3 times. 
• Shot is a backhand played with a neutral hitting stance and the player is to finish balanced on one foot.
• Those in the line mimic the shoe of the player playing the ball. 
• Once the player has had their 3 shots, they then collect 3 balls to return to the hopper before joining the back of the line.

Intention: Develop sending and receiving skill through the use of progressive coordination exercises.

• Players stand facing each other on the inside and outside tramlines respectively (in a ready, athletic, "gorilla position")
• Players start with one ball and throw the ball underarm between each other.
• The ball must bounce once before the partner catches the ball.
• Each player must throw the ball with their right hand and catch the ball with their left.
• Once the ball has been caught it must be passed between the hands in preparation for the throw.
• As players master a rhythm, they attempt to increase the tempo.

Intention: Assess forehand technique whilst developing the principles of rallying.

• Players start on their various courts. Each of which has a designated score that is progressive (eg 5, 7, 9) and at the discretion of the coach.
• Where space is limited, courts can be divided in half or thirds to create stations.
• One player ('The Sender') starts each rally with an underarm throw to a target area on their partners side of the court, which is situated half way between their partner ('The receiver') and the net.
• The 'receiver', who is positioned roughly two racket lengths behind the target area, attempts to catch the ball after one bounce.
• The 'receiver' now becomes the 'sender' and attempts to throw the ball back, using an underarm action, to a target area on their partner’s side of the court, which is positioned roughly half way between their partner and the net.
• The pair must then continue to throw and catch the ball (after one bounce) using an underarm action until they achieve the score for their designated court/station.
• If the rally breaks down in any way, the pair must start the rally again from zero on the court/ station they are on.
• If the players successfully achieve the score for their designated court (or station), they progress upwards (one station) and 'Budge' the pair on the higher station down.
• If either of the pair lands the ball directly on the target area they automatically progress upwards (one station) and 'Budge' the pair on the higher station down.
• When a pair achieves the designated score on the highest (top) court they are awarded 1 'golden' point.
• When a pair successfully achieves a 'golden' point, they attempt another one until they are 'budged'.
• The game ends when a pair reaches a pre-set number of 'golden' points. Alternatively, the pair with the most 'golden' points at the end of a pre allocated period of time is the winner.