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Tennis: Move To The Shot

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Nick, Tennis coach

DESCRIPTION

Coach stands in front of the player. Coach tosses the ball either in front of the player or behind the player. Player moves and hits overhead.

COACHING POINTS

Most of the time, overhead is hit in dynamic balance so players should practice the shot in the same way. Tossing the ball in front of the player is an easier way to learn how to hit overhead as also how to effectively transfer the weight forward. Tossing behind the player is an advanced overhead which demands good coordination skills. Players should learn how to jump back from the back leg and land on the front one after the shot.

PROGRESSION

Coach should challenge players with different variations to make learning process more effective. With the larger groups of players, coach can use players to toss the ball to have everyone involved in the drill.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Know the Direction

Coach feeds high balls into random spots. Coach moves to one of the sides. Player hits an overhead into the open court.

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Like A Wall

Players play up to 11 points. Player A can hit only lobs. Player B can hit only overheads.

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Pick the Corner

Coach feeds high balls. Player picks the corner and hits all overheads to the same side.

Smash Drills

Overheads

1) In this drill there are two hitters, two shadows, and the remaining students wait in the alley.
2) The drill starts with the hitters hitting the net.
3)The teacher then hits a lob for hitter 1 to smash.
4)While hitter 1 goes for smash, hitter 2 and both shadows, shadow his movements.
5) The teacher hits the second lob to hitter 2. Once again, the other 3 hit the net and shadow movement back for smash.
6) This is repeated twice. Each hitter hits 2 smashes.
7) After his second smash the hitter goes to the end of the waiting line of students. His shadow moves to the hitting position, and a waiting student becomes the shadow.
8) Smashes should be hit cross-court, away from teacher!!
9) Emphasis should once again be on control and movement.

Smash Drills

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-2 feeding players, with a basket in the middle. - Feed a short ball followed by a lob. - After the approach shot the player smashes the lob.

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The coach feeds lob into the air for the player to hit back using the backhand smash. The player hits the smash down the line and joins the back of the line.

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1 air, 1 bounce to ad

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Consistency is a key

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Player stands at the net, and the coach feeds a high ball. The player hits overhead back to the coach to the deuce side. The player hits the lob back who then finishes with overhead to the ad side.

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Cross court pattern with smash and backhand volley

The player stands at the net, with cones set up in the ad corner. The coach feeds a lob, and the player hits overhead back to the coach to deuce side. The coach then hits the ball back to the ad side, and the player finishes with deep backhand volley cross court.

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Player starts from the cone and the coach feeds the ball behind the player's head. The player moves back, jumps, and hits defensive overhead.

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Don't Miss The Overhead

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Forehand Smash x 2 Players

Coach, 2 players, and basket of balls. Players are in a service box each, and start by running forward and touching the net. At this point the coach feeds a high ball towards the back of each service box. Players back peddle to be in a position to play a forehand smash, then run forward, touch the net, and the drill is repeated. Repeat the drill

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Forehand Smash x 2 Players

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In or out?

Player stands at the net and the coach feeds high balls. The player has to decide if the ball is going in or out. If the ball is going to be in, the player hits an overhead. If the ball is going to be out, the player leaves the ball.

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