Tennis: Over And In. 'Budge It'. Progression 3

Description

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.

Coaching points

Ensure players are using both sides of the body, ie. Getting their bodies into the right position and behind the ball to hit a forehand to return the ball. 

Remember this practice is developing the skills for a rally with a partner from the service line. Ensure players are mindful of their zones to increase their spatial awareness. The players need to be tracking the oncoming ball by getting into position to receive and return the ball.

Progression

Both players balance on one leg whilst hitting the ball.