Tennis: Get comfortable with rallying

Develop your players technique for hitting the half-volley while instilling a tactical understanding of when and how to play the stroke for maximum effect.

Starting on the baseline, the player stands facing the coach. The coach then feeds the player balls.

The player returns the balls by hitting a half-volley.

After each return shot the player moves forward, and the coach steps back so the gap between them both stay the same.

Moving along the net the coach throws the ball over the net to the player.

Standing in the centre of the net the player has to hit a half-volley back to coach so he/she can catch it

Players warm up by running and performing dynamic stretches.

The coach should ask players to perform exercises which will help to develop the skills related to the half-volley.

In this warm up set up two cones about 1.5 metres apart. Ask your player to stand facing the cones, then reach down to the cone on his/her left with their right hand.

Then return to the standing position before reaching for the left cone with the right hand.

4 players. 2 on each side of the net.

Player 1 hits a deep forehand,and a rally starts with each player hitting a deep forehand shot.

When it is player 1's turn again they hit a deep backhand shot, and the rally continues.

Rally alternates between forehand and backhand shots.

Repeat the drill.

The drill is continuous.