Coach feeds easy ball to the backhand side. Player hits backhand cross court (approach shot) and moves forward. Coach hits the ball back to make player respond with backhand cross court volley. Coach hits again and player has to finish with forehand cross court volley.
This exercise is demanding because the player has less time to react and take their proper position (coach at the net). Coach has to emphasise consistency within first 2 shots (approach shot/first volley) to have an opportunity to finish the point while being in a good position. This scenario is clearly visible among professional players who make deep volleys from the service line to get a time to come to the net and finish from the better spot.
Indoor courts give players less time and less room. Help them sharpen their split step, shorten their swing and stay calm, and winter becomes a season of real progress.
A tiebreak is a short sprint where every point is worth the same as a break of serve. The players who win them are rarely the ones who hit hardest. Here is how to coach the patterns, habits and scoreboard thinking that win the big points.
Most club players practise the serve on its own and then have no idea what to do with the ball that comes back. Serve plus one is the pattern that turns a good serve into a won point.
Register for FREE and get coaching tips, top drills, session and more every week!
