Tennis: Forehand and Backhand

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.