HOME Tennis Drills Serve and Return

Tennis: Doubles returning

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DESCRIPTION

-Players are positioned in a doubles formation as seen in the picture.
-The server will serve first and second serves as in a game situation.
-The receiver will hit any of the returns as shown in the picture.
-The players can play out the points after the return.
-After approximately 6-10 serves the players swop round so that each player gets to serve and return and from both sides.

COACHING POINTS

The server should do the same in-between serves routines as they would in a match and not rush through.

The receiver can work on shot selection on returns and should be helped by the coach to understand the most appropriate choice of shot/return to each serve.

The drill can also be used to help all the players understand doubles positioning.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Doubles movement

-Player 2 starts with a second serve to advantage court.
-Returner hits a lob return over player 1s head and follows it into the net.
-Player 2 chases the lob and returns it down the line.
-Player 1 moves to hot seat in the middle.
-Returner hits cross court volley to player 1.
-Player 2 comes to net and the point is played out.
-The same drill can be repeated on the deuce side of the court.

Doubles Drills

The Wall

4 players 2 at the net and 2 at the baseline.

Coach feeds the ball in to the baseliners and the point is played out.

The volleyers can hit anywhere, however the baseliners cannot hit to the same volleyer twice in a row.

After 2 volleys the baseliners are then allowed to lob.

The winner is the first team to 11 points, after this the teams swap over.

Doubles Drills

Attack and Intercept

-Player serves to deuce court towards feeder and comes to the net.
-The first player on the advantage side shadows the server and comes to net.
-Feeder hits a ball to server who returns it cross court.
-Feeder hits towards server again but the shadow server intercepts and hits cross-court winner.

Doubles Drills

Doubles interception

The deep players rally the ball back and forth between one another.

The blue receiver's partner attempts to intercept the ball down the middle.

Once the ball has been intercepted the point is live.

The players rotate clockwise round the court after 6-8 rallies so that each player gets to play in each position.

Doubles Drills

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Tennis

MORE Serve and Return DRILLS

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Player serves wide from the deuce side. Coach throws a ball to the deuce side. Player hits forehand down the line and recovers. Coach throws another ball to the ad side. Player runs around and hits forehand inside in.

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Offensive Forehand Return

Player stands on the ad side. Coach provides easy serve. Player hits offensive return inside the court using only the forehand stroke.

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One serve (progression)

Tactic Encourage Depth of 2nd serve Description Same as t30028a however the server serves shorter than TDL and eventually loses the point the returner receives 2 points.

Serve and Return

One serve - Under Pressure

Player 1 has only one serve and the score is 30 - 30. The first player to win 3 games is the winner. If player 1 successfully makes the serve and wins the point they win the game. If not they only have 1 serve for the next point. If they win that point the game goes to sudden death.

Serve and Return

Open Return

Player stands on the deuce side. Coach serves to the T. Player executes backhand return using open stance.

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Open the backhand

The coach stands next to the doubles alley and the player serves wide from the ad side. The player's goal is to serve to the coach.

Serve and Return

Open the court and finish at the net

Player serves wide from the deuce side. Coach hits an easy ball to the center. Player moves forward and hits deep forehand approach shot cross-court. Coach feeds the ball to the ad side. Player finishes with deep backhand volley down the line.

Serve and Return

Open The Court To Play Behind

Player serves wide from the deuce side. Coach hits the ball back in a cross-court direction. Player steps inside the court and hits a forehand drop shot cross-court.

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Pocket Serve

Player executes regular serve. Player focuses on bringing the tossing arm to the opposite pocket as well as on moving the hitting arm to the left side of the body.

Serve and Return

Pressure & Surprise Opponent

Player serves to the body from the ad side and comes into the net. Coach feeds the ball to the deuce side. Player finishes with a deep forehand volley cross-court.

Serve and Return