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Tennis: Running Backhand and Rally

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Bill, Newly qualified coach

DESCRIPTION

Coach, 4 players, and a basket of balls.

Player 1 starts on the tramlines opposite the coach.

Coach feeds the ball across the court for player 1 to run on to and hit a deep running backhand to player 2.

A rally continues until a point is won.

Player 1 retreats to their starting position, player 2 joins the queue, and player 3 joins the drill.

Repeat the drill until all players have played player 1.

Rotate players and repeat the drill.

COACHING POINTS

Players footwork to be quick to meet the ball.

Meet the ball on the rise or the top of the bounce.

Recover to the starting position after the rally.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Cross Court Backhand/Backhand:

Coach feeds the ball down the line to player 1 who plays a deep cross court backhand (shot 1).

Player 2 returns also playing a deep cross court backhand (shot 2).

Player 1 then plays a backhand down the line (shot 3) back to the coach.

The drill is continuous playing the same shots.

Rotate players 1 and 2.

Backhand Drills

Run Forrest, run!:

The coach feeds a drop-shot from the basket. Players 1 and 2 are at the same end as the coach and are positioned at the net.

Player 3 must run forwards to try to get to the drop-shot and play it up to either of the players at the net.

The players at the net must lob-volley the ball back over player 3's head. Player must then 3 run back to chase the ball hitting it again to either of the players at the net, who then drop volleys this ball.

The point continues in this way until an unforced error is made or player 3 cannot run anymore!

Volley Drills

lateral backhands (forward):

Dead ball feed
Players start off in forehand doubles corner and ply to backhands along baseline. As player moves towards the ball they keep racket prepared and the last step before contact should be towards.

Backhand Drills