HOME Tennis Drills Serve and Return

Tennis: Open the backhand

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DESCRIPTION

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.

COACHING POINTS

Being able to start the point well with the serve is the priority for all players. Tennis serve offers great opportunities in spin, power, and placement to put pressure right from the beginning so players should develop many tactical scenarios to be able to vary their deliveries. If the player is confident and possess skills that allow him to dictate the point from the start, it is much easier for him to plan and execute service gem's strategy with high rate of success.

In this drill, the player works on a wide serve from the ad side. This exercise is designed to develop both technical and tactical skill. From technical standpoint, the player learns how to put more spin to place the ball close to the sideline and make it bounce away from the court. From tactical standpoint, the player puts the ball to the left-handed opponent forehand to open the backhand for the next shot. Too many players try to put the first ball right to the weaker side forgetting that it is much easier and less risky to firstly open the weakness with the ball to the strength. The coach should explain this to player before they serve to make sure that player is aware of this fact and focus on quality of the wide serve.

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Dealing with left-handers

Deal with left-handers effectively with this session, helping you adapt on court to tricky situations

OFTEN USED WITH...

Ready backhand

The coach stands in front of the player and throws balls to the backhand side. The player executes backhands using only open stance.

Backhand Drills

Tactical variation against left-handed player

The coach feeds the ball to the backhand side and the player hits high topspin backhand down the line. The coach feeds shorter ball to the forehand side and the player executes forehand drop shot down the line.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

6 spots with one result

The coach feeds an easy ball to the deuce side and the player hits offensive approach shot to the deuce side and comes to the net. The coach feeds the ball to the backhand side and the player then finishes with backhand volley to the deuce side. The player repeats this pattern from middle of the court and from the ad side.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

Backhand side throw wall

The player sits down on the ground with medicine ball. The player imitates backhand movement, turns with the ball and throws it against the wall.

Agility & Fitness

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Tennis

MORE Serve and Return DRILLS

Progression of Returning drills

Description Play out the point after the serve and if the returner hits the depth area and eventually wins the point will receive bonus points. Encourages returner to put pressure on opponent.

Serve and Return

Progression with server and returner

Description Server has to say which area they are serving to. If they serve into correct area and eventually win the point they receive bonus points.

Serve and Return

Quicker than regular

The coach stands on the service line and serves to the deuce side, then the player returns using forehand down the line stroke.

Serve and Return

React After The Serve

The player stands on the baseline and serves the ball against the wall. After serving, the player must recover quickly and hit a forehand stroke against the wall.

Serve and Return

Return and Volley Pattern

Coach serves from the deuce side to the T. Player hits backhand deep return cross court and comes to the net. Coach feeds the next ball to the deuce side. Player finishes with forehand deep volley cross court.

Serve and Return

Return Cross Court

Coach serves from the service line and the player returns the ball cross court.

Serve and Return

Return of serve 1

Players position themselves on return line. Coach (2) takes turns serving to both deuce and the court.

Serve and Return

Return of serve 2

Players position themselves half way between baseline and service line. Coach (2) takes turns serving to both deuce and the court.

Serve and Return

Return With Courage

Coach delivers easy second serve. Player attacks with forehand to the backhand corner. Coach hits the ball short and player finishes to the other side.

Serve and Return

Return With Plan

Coach serves wide to the deuce side. Player executes a forehand slice return cross-court.

Serve and Return

Return With Time Pressure

Player stands on the ad side. Coach serves to the T while standing on the service line. Player returns down the line using forehand.

Serve and Return

Returning A / B

Player 2 has to tell player 1 where they are returning before the serve. Server only has one serve (depending o n the level of the player). Player 2 is rewarded bonus points for htiing into designated area and eventually winning the point.

Serve and Return

Returning drills

Players return the serve down the line and take it in turns to serve.

Serve and Return

Returning with Angles - Progression

The server then plays out the point and returner gains bonus points if the angled returns hit the designated areas between the service line and the inside tramline and eventually wins the point.

Serve and Return

Returning with Angles

The player will serve 2nd serves, with the player at the other end will return, and aim for the target area between the side line and throw down line.

Serve and Return

Returning with Angles

TDL are placed half a metre inside the singles service line The server 2nd serves and the returner aims for the target. Progression - As before however, server plays out the point and the returner gains a bonus point if the returner hit the designated area and eventually wins the point

Serve and Return

Returning with Depth

Place Throw down lines (TDL) 1m inside the baseline on the servers side The server 2nd serves and the returner is trying to return the ball between the TDL and the baseline. Play out the point after the serve and if the returner hits the depth area and eventually wins the point they get a bonus point. Advanced progression - returner receiving both 1st and 2nd serves inside the baseline or close to the service box.

Serve and Return

Second Serve Consistency

Player starts with the racquet behind the back. Player tosses the ball and perform lifting action to hit the ball. Player stops the motion after hitting the ball to control the trajectory of the racquet.

Serve and Return