Tennis: Forehand and Backhand

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DESCRIPTION

Intention: Develop basic forehand and backhand technique.

  • The group is divided into two- "Hitters" and "Fielders".
  • Hitters execute the drill, whilst fielders collect balls. 
  • Change roles after each player has 5 turns. 
  • Coach feeds simultaneously to the player at the front of each queue. 
  • Each player hits five balls (outside shot) and moves off the court and returns to the back of the opposite queue (players will alternate between forehand and backhand on each turn).

NB: Coach must continue to reinforce key teaching points. 

COACHING POINTS

Forehand

  • Adopt a balanced and active ready position.
  • Grip: Eastern/ weak semi western.
  • Take the racker back by turning the hips and shoulders to the side. 
  • Adopt a neutral hitting stance.
  • Basic low-to-high forward swing.
  • Contact at the side of the body and slightly in front.
  • Follow through long and high.
  • Movement- Introduce the Neutral stance: Demonstrate the ability to step down the court and hit from a neutral stance. -Demonstrate an active recovery using a side-step.

Backhand

  • Adopt a balanced and active ready position. 
  • Grip: Eastern. For the two-hander the player should adopt an eastern grip with both the top (non-dominant) and bottom (dominant) hand.
  • Take the racket back in two hands by turning the hips and shoulders to the side.
  • Adopt a neutral hitting stance.
  • Basic low-to-high forward swing.
  • Contact at the side of the body and slightly in front. 
  • Follow through long and high.
  • Movement- Introduce the neutral stance: demonstrate the ability to step down the court and hit from a neutral stance. -Demonstrate an active recovery using a side-step. 

 

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Over and In. 'Budge It'. Progression 2

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, with a racket, attempts to hit the ball after one bounce 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 hit the ball (after one bounce) 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.

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Over And In. 'Budge It'. Progression 3

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 a forehand 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 hit the ball back with a forehand, after one bounce 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 rally (after one bounce) 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.

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