The coach serves wide from ad side. The player hits backhand return cross-court and starts the rally in cross-court direction.
Cross-court rallies are known in tennis practice for ages but every drill can be more effective if there are goals set for this activity. Making players understand why they perform given drill is a must to build a relationship needed for successful coaching, as well as also making players more involved in the exercise.
In this drill, the player works on return and consistency. Performing backhand return cross-court before the rally in the same direction is a great way to work on basics of tennis. Being able to rally consistently in this direction is a must to stay in the point in singles as also to avoid net opponent in doubles. To make it more competitive, the coach can set some zones to hit into, so players don't get bored after few minutes of many repetitions.
On-court coaching is now fully legal, technology continues to advance, and the ATP calendar evolves. Here's what tennis coaches need to know for 2026.
Tennis demands a unique combination of endurance, power, agility, and flexibility. Physical preparation determines how long careers last and how players perform when it matters most.
Ecological dynamics is transforming tennis coaching. This constraints-led approach develops adaptable, creative players who can solve problems in competition, not just execute drilled patterns.
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