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Tennis: Smile

Sportplan has been very helpful in guiding me through my first year...
Bill, Newly qualified coach

DESCRIPTION

Player starts in the middle behind the baseline.

Coach feeds balls alternately to the forehand and backhand.

The player should move in a smile shape around the baseline, with the tops of the smile being where they hit the ball and the bottom of the smile their recovery position.

COACHING POINTS

  • The smile position allows the player to cut in on the court and take time away from the other player. Also if they were further back then they'd have to send the ball further
  • Aim to hit the ball at the top of the bounce or when it is between the waist and shoulder
  • Player cutting in the court and angles and moving through the ball
  • Making big steps to the ball and recovering with side steps
  • Correct movement and cutting in

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OFTEN USED WITH...
Split Step | Movement

Split Step:

Players should be encouraged to splitstep after each shot, and to use the correct footwork and racket technique on each and every shadow. Being under no pressure with a ball to hit, there is no excuse for poor posture or an off balanced body!

Movement
Short followed by lob | Movement

Short followed by lob:

Use 1/2 court to play 2 feeders per court basket in the middle of the base line.

Feeders 1st feed a short ball followed by a lob player on the other side hit the 2 shots and move out of the way for the next player.

Movement
Specific Footwork - Run Around | Movement

Specific Footwork - Run Around:

Coach demonstrates proper footwork to hit forehand inside out/in. Players try to imitate this footwork without hitting the ball to make it more natural. Players take big cross over step behind and jump from both legs to achieve stable position before imitating hitting the ball.

Movement
Short Width, Full Width | Movement

Short Width, Full Width:

Player starts in the middle and sprints to the deuce corner, imitating a forehand stroke. Immediately, the player changes direction and sprints all the way to the other corner to finish imitating backhand stroke.

Movement
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