Tennis: juniors

2 players rally together in cross court direction. Player A hits all the balls aggressively. Player B hits all the balls defensively. After the point both players switch roles and play another rally. Drill specifications: 5-10 min per side With more players on the court coach can use this drill strictly for the learning process or to make it really competitive. For learning purposes, players switch after few points to have a time to work on their shots as also to spend some time on different skills. For competitiveness, coach should put players into teams and play cross court points with clear defensive/offensive goals.

Player stands on the baseline. Coach feeds an easy ball and stays on the baseline or moves far behind it. Player has to make proper decision according to the coach’s position. If the coach is on the baseline player should attack the easy ball with a powerful groundstroke. If the coach moves far behind the baseline player should hit a drop shot. Drill specifications: 4 repetitions per set Small number of repetitions is required to achieve quality work. Peripheral vision is one of the skills that is necessary to effectively execute offensive strokes. Waiting players should work on making quick decisions after the visual sign so coach should prepare physical drills based on quick reaction.

The coach stands behind the player. The player works with fast feet, and then the coach throws the ball over the player's head, who then has to catch the ball in the air. This exercise is a good warm-up tool to work on quick movement and reaction. Knowing how fast modern game is, these skills are necessary to become a good net-game player.

Players stay on the service lines and rally together in a cross-court direction. Players have to hit all the balls in the air.

Deep zone and angle zone are set by cones. Coach feeds balls to one side. Player performs tactical pattern based on deep cross court shot, deep down the line shot, and short cross court angle shot. Drill specifications: 1-2 repetitions per set 1-2 patterns in a row is a number that each players should hit. With more players coach can set up 2 lines to work on forehand and backhand at the same time but it requires good feeding skills to keep the patterns in a right pace. Otherwise players should perform physical drills e.g core strength to improve power of the groundstrokes.

2 players rally in cross court direction. Players make proper tactical decisions according to the height of the ball they receive. If the ball is really low player hits neutral shot. If the ball is at knee-to-hip level player hits neutral/offensive shot. If the ball is over the hips player tries to be aggressive. Drill specifications: Switch after 1 min or specific number of shots 4 players are hitting with each other while others cooperate with partners. Waiting players should focus on perception of the incoming ball so easy exercise where player 1 throws the ball at random height and player B has to say “high”, “medium” or “low” and hit it softly back to the player should be incorporated to accelerate the learning process. Fitness drills are also preferred with the main focus on legs and shoulders (necessary for successful attempts with high and low balls)

Player A and player B play the points. Player A can't hit down the line from the forehand side.

Player A serves to the T from the ad side. Player B hits forehand cross-court return and both players rally using only backhands cross-court.

Player A executes serve into the body. Player B hits the return. Player A finishes the point with a volley. Drill specifications: 1 repetition per set To make this drill really dynamic players should switch after one point at the serving side. Returning players can switch after few points to guarantee good consistency and more opportunities for the servers to work on the pattern. Waiting players should perform sprints next to the court to improve the speed that is really helpful while running to the net after the serve.

Coach feeds balls to the backhand side. Player runs around and hits only forehands. Player performs tactical pattern based on 2 forehands inside out and 1 forehand inside in. Drill specifications: 1-2 repetitions per set 1-2 patterns in a row is a number that each players should hit. Coach can put one of the players to feed the balls to be able to stand next to the players and deliver constant feedback. Waiting players should work on specific footwork designed for forehand inside out/inside in shots based on shuffle and crossover steps.

Intention: Explore tactical development- "Over and In" and "Hitting into space" Each player starts the game with 3 lives (can be amended depending on time). Players at the front of the line take it in turns to hit a ball fed to them by the coach.  The players keep their lives if they successfully execute the shot by hitting the ball over and in. The player loses a life in one of the following ways: Hitting the ball out. Hitting the ball into the net. Hitting the ball after more than one bounce. Missing the ball.  Once the player has lost all 3 lives they are in the dungeon (coaches side of the net). If the coach or another player in the dungeon catches the ball without a bounce, the player loses a life. The only way out of the dungeon is to catch a shot from another player before it bounces, thus gaining one life.  The player with the most lives remaining at the end of the game is the winner.  

<p dir="ltr">Intention: Develop basic forehand technique. Players line up on one side of the net set up on a short court. Coach on the other side of the net. Coach feeds the ball to the first player in the line. Each player hits the ball 3 times. Shot is a forehand played with a neutral hitting stance and the player is to finish balanced on one foot. Those in the line mimic the shot of the player playing the ball. Once the player has had their three shots, they collect three balls to return to the hopper before joining the back of the line. 

Intention: Develop sending and receiving skills through the use of progressive coordination exercises.Following progression 3 Players stand facing each other on the inside and outside tramlines respectively (in a ready, athletic, gorilla position)Players have four balls, each player starts with two balls, and throw the balls underarm between each other.The balls must bounce once before the partner catches the ball.Each player must throw one ball with their right hand and transfer the other ball from their left hand to right hand to then receive the other ball from their partner with their left.As players master a rhythm, they attempt to increase the tempo.

Intention: Develop sending and receiving skills through the use of progressive coordination exercises. Following progression 2 Players stand facing each other on the inside and outside tramlines respectively (in a ready, athletic, gorilla position) Players have three balls, one player starts with 2 and the other with one, and throw the balls underarm between each other. The balls must bounce once before the partner catches the ball. Each player must throw the ball with their right hand and catch the other ball with their left. Once the ball has been caught it must be passed between the hands in preparation for the throw and free up the left hand for the catch. As players master a rhythm, they attempt to increase the tempo.

<p dir="ltr">Intention: Develop sending and receiving skill through the use of progressive coordination exercises. Players stand facing each other on the inside and outside tramlines respectively (in a ready, athletic, "gorilla position") Players start with one ball and throw the ball underarm between each other. The ball must bounce once before the partner catches the ball. Each player must throw the ball with their right hand and catch the ball with their left. Once the ball has been caught it must be passed between the hands in preparation for the throw. As players master a rhythm, they attempt to increase the tempo.

Intention: Develop basic backhand technique.Players line up on one side of the net with the coach on the other side of the net.Coach feeds the ball to the first player in the line. Each player hits the ball 3 times. Shot is a backhand played with a neutral hitting stance and the player is to finish balanced on one foot.Those in the line mimic the shoe of the player playing the ball. Once the player has had their 3 shots, they then collect 3 balls to return to the hopper before joining the back of the line.

Intention: Develop basic forehand technique.Players line up on one side of the net set up on a short court. Coach on the other side of the net.Coach feeds the ball to the first player in the line.Each player hits the ball 3 times.Shot is a forehand played with a neutral hitting stance and the player is to finish balanced with toe facing down.Those in the line mimic the shot of the player playing the ball.Once the player has had their three shots, the collect three balls to return to the hopper before joining the back of the line.

Intention: Develop basic forehand and backhand technique.The group is divided into two- &quot;Hitters&quot; and &quot;Fielders&quot;.Hitters execute the drill, whilst fielders collect balls. Change roles after each player has 5 turns. Coach feeds simultaneously to the player at the front of each queue. Each player hits five balls (outside shot) and moves off the court and returns to the back of the opposite queue (players will alternate between forehand and backhand on each turn).NB: Coach must continue to reinforce key teaching points.

Intention: Assess forehand technique whilst developing the principles of rallying. Players start on their various courts. Each of which has a designated score that is progressive (eg 5, 7, 9) and at the discretion of the coach. Where space is limited, courts can be divided in half or thirds to create stations. One player ('The Sender') starts each rally with an underarm throw to a target area on their partners side of the court, which is situated half way between their partner ('The receiver') and the net. The 'receiver', who is positioned roughly two racket lengths behind the target area, attempts to catch the ball after one bounce. The 'receiver' now becomes the 'sender' and attempts to throw the ball back, using an underarm action, to a target area on their partner’s side of the court, which is positioned roughly half way between their partner and the net. The pair must then continue to throw and catch the ball (after one bounce) using an underarm action until they achieve the score for their designated court/station. If the rally breaks down in any way, the pair must start the rally again from zero on the court/ station they are on. If the players successfully achieve the score for their designated court (or station), they progress upwards (one station) and 'Budge' the pair on the higher station down. If either of the pair lands the ball directly on the target area they automatically progress upwards (one station) and 'Budge' the pair on the higher station down. When a pair achieves the designated score on the highest (top) court they are awarded 1 'golden' point. When a pair successfully achieves a 'golden' point, they attempt another one until they are 'budged'. The game ends when a pair reaches a pre-set number of 'golden' points. Alternatively, the pair with the most 'golden' points at the end of a pre allocated period of time is the winner.

Intention: Assess forehand technique whilst developing the principles of rallying.Players start on their various courts. Each of which has a designated score that is progressive (eg 5, 7, 9) and at the discretion of the coach.Where space is limited, courts can be divided in half or thirds to create stations.One player ('The Sender') starts each rally with an underarm throw to a target area on their partners side of the court, which is situated half way between their partner (&quot;The receiver&quot;) and the net.The 'receiver', who is positioned roughly two racket lengths behind the target area, with a racket, attempts to hit the ball after one bounce to a target area on their partner's side of the court, which is positioned roughly half way between their partner and the net.The pair must then continue to throw and hit the ball (after one bounce) until they achieve the score for their designated court/station.If the rally breaks down in any way, the pair must start the rally again from zero on the court/ station they are on.If the players successfully achieve the score for their designated court (or station), they progress upwards (one station) and 'Budge' the pair on the higher station down.If either of the pair lands the ball directly on the target area they automatically progress upwards (one station) and 'Budge' the pair on the higher station down.When a pair achieves the designated score on the highest (top) court they are awarded 1 'golden' point.When a pair successfully achieves a 'golden' point, they attempt another one until they are 'budged'.The game ends when a pair reaches a pre-set number of 'golden' points. Alternatively, the pair with the most 'golden' points at the end of a pre allocated period of time is the winner.

Player A executes serve into the body. Player B hits the return. Player A finishes the point with a volley.Drill specifications:1 repetition per setTo make this drill really dynamic players should switch after one point at the serving side. Returning players can switch after few points to guarantee good consistency and more opportunities for the servers to work on the pattern. Waiting players should perform sprints next to the court to improve the speed that is really helpful while running to the net after the serve.

Serve with Hand: This exercise is a great tool to warm up whole serving action while working on proper rhythm. Player stands close to the net without the racquet. Player tosses the ball and serves while using the bare hand. Hitting in the highest point of contact and making the action smooth are priorities for this warm up drill.

Coach stands next to the player with racket in hand.Coach moves arm with the racket towards the side of the player (waist’s height).Player shadows backhand motion with the aim of moving the racket’s head below the coaches racket.<br>

Player sits on both knees on the ground. Player executes top spin serve.

Player goes diagonally through the ladder, using only little steps in between each space. In this drill, player works on speed and coordination. At the beginning, kids should focus more on coordination rather than speed.

Player stands on the baseline. Coach feeds an easy ball and stays on the baseline or moves far behind it. Player has to make proper decision according to the coach’s position. If the coach is on the baseline player should attack the easy ball with a powerful groundstroke. If the coach moves far behind the baseline player should hit a drop shot.Drill specifications:4 repetitions per setSmall number of repetitions is required to achieve quality work. Peripheral vision is one of the skills that is necessary to effectively execute offensive strokes. Waiting players should work on making quick decisions after the visual sign so coach should prepare physical drills based on quick reaction.

Player A serves to the T from the ad side. Player B hits forehand cross-court return and both players rally using only backhands cross-court.

Players stay on the service lines and rally together in a cross-court direction. Players have to hit all the balls in the air.