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pressure DRILLS
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Building points through deep cross court shots

The coach feeds the ball to team A, they then have to hit it into the target area cross court. -Player from team B hits down the line if possible, however if under pressure from the depth or pace of the shot,then player B should play cross court or down the middle.Team A are hitting mostly cross court.

Rally Drills

Cone Serving

Players serve at the targets shown, taking two balls at a time and serving 1 first serve, 1 second serve at each target. After a certain amount of time players switch and repeat the same from the other side. The player with the most targets at the end of the practice wins the drill. If groups are large, players can take it in turns to serve one after the other, and/or also from the doubles serving positions.

Serve and Return

Ground strokes under pressure

-Feeder hits first ball to forehand alley.-The second ball if fed to backhand alley.-The third feed goes deep to the forehand side.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

One serve - Under Pressure

Player 1 has only one serve and the score is 30 - 30. The first player to win 3 games is the winner. If player 1 successfully makes the serve and wins the point they win the game. If not they only have 1 serve for the next point. If they win that point the game goes to sudden death.

Serve and Return

Plus and Minus Rewards

Players play the point out from their hand in a full court as normal. If they win the point with a clear winner or by forcing an error from their opponent they get plus 1 point. However, if they make an unforced error of any kind, they get minus 1 point. Players can play until 1 player reaches plus or minus 7 points.

Rally Drills

Progression of Returning drills

DescriptionPlay 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

Split Step

Players should be encouraged to splitstep after each shot, and to use the correct footwork and racket technique on each and every shadow. Being under no pressure with a ball to hit, there is no excuse for poor posture or an off balanced body!

Movement

Under pressure ground strokes

-Rally until a mistake is made by the baseliner.-Baseliners swap out on mistakes.-Volley player swaps after 2-3 minutes.

Rally Drills

Using the middle to defend under pressure (it's the biggest part of the court after all!)

The coach feeds single ball feeds from the basket putting the player under extreme pressure. Starting from the singles tramline the players must try to hit the ball on the run directly back down the middle of the court to the rectangular target. Players can choose whether they slice or hit over the ball depending on how quickly they can get to the ball. Each player hits just one ball at a time so players waiting must be ready immediately for the next feed and after the shot has been played must jog back to the start position at the back of the court in order to keep the drill continuous. Repeat this drill with the coach feeding from the opposite corner.

Passing Shots Drills

Volley the point into life

The court is cut down the middle in this game, with one player standing on the base line and the other just outside the service box. To start the point the player from the base line feeds a short ball to the player on the other side of the net who has to try and volley the ball back over the net before the point is live.

Volley Drills

Under pressure ground strokes ...

<BR>-Rally until a mistake is made by the baseliner.<BR>-Baseliners swap out on mistakes.<BR>-Volley player swaps after 2-3 minutes.

General

Deuce Pressure Return Forehand...

Coach serves wide from the deuce side, and the player hits a forehand cross-court return, aiming for the ball to bounce in the coned area. Modification includes coming to the net after returning and finishing with forehand in the air.

General

Ground strokes under pressure ...

<BR>-Feeder hits first ball to forehand alley.<BR>-The second ball if fed to backhand alley.<BR>-The third feed goes deep to the forehand side.

General

Live Ball Pressure Volley Dril...

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.

General

Using the middle to defend und...

The coach feeds single ball feeds from the basket putting the player under extreme pressure.Starting from the singles tramline the players must try to hit the ball on the run directly back down the middle of the court to the rectangular target.Players can choose whether they slice or hit over the ball depending on how quickly they can get to the ball.Each player hits just one ball at a time so players waiting must be ready immediately for the next feed and after the shot has been played must jog back to the start position at the back of the court in order to keep the drill continuous.Repeat this drill with the coach feeding from the opposite corner.

General

Controlled wide ball Backhand ...

The coach stands in front of the player. The coach throws difficult ball to the backhand corner, the player then sprints, slides and hits neutral/defensive ball.More and more players are able to really hit the ball from the baseline so there are many situations during the match when we are under time pressure. Being able to survive these critical moments can be a deciding factor about who will win the match so players have to work in these conditions during practice session to develop automatic responses.

General

Conscious doubles game Volley ...

The player serves wide to the deuce side and the coach feeds short ball to deuce side. The player hits deep forehand approach shot cross-court and comes to the net. The coach feeds another ball to deuce side and the player finishes with forehand volley cross-court.

General

Returning a drop shot down the...

Coach stands close to the net and feeds balls close to the net on the player's side of the court to mimic a drop shot. Starting at the baseline the player has to run and hit a return drop shot down the line. Cones should be set out to give the player a target to aim for.

General

Take Care of Speed Backhand Dr...

Coach stands next to the player.Coach drops balls at regular height.Player executes backhand at the fastest speed possible.

General

Move the defender Backhand Dri...

The coach feeds balls to the backhand. The player alternates hitting deep backhand down the line and short angle backhand cross court.

General

Mid Court Variety Rally Drills...

Coach feeds the ball to the ad side.Player steps inside the baseline and hits backhand down the line.Coach feeds another ball to the ad side.Player runs around the ball and hits forehand drop shot inside in.

General

Using Forehand as Often as Pos...

Coach feeds a ball to the deuce side. Player hits a forehand down the line.Coach feeds another ball to the center. Player hits an inside out forehand from the center.

General

Surprising inside out opener F...

2 players use backhands to rally together in cross court direction . Player A picks the right moment to surprise the opponent and hits forehand angle inside out. After putting the opponent outside of the alley player A takes the next ball and finishes with backhand down the line.Drill specifications:1-2 minutes and switch2 players can work on forehands and backhands at the same time so 1-2 minutes periods for switching are appropriate. Waiting players can perform some footwork exercises with the emphasis on running around footwork patterns based on crossover steps to improve the effectiveness of the angle shot while hitting.

General

Pattern II: Move your opponent...

The coach kneels down on the player's side. Players serves to the T from deuce side, and the coach throws first ball to the deuce side. The player hits forehand cross-court, and the coach then feeds second ball to the ad side. The player runs around and hits forehand inside out.

General

Deuce rally with mixed shots F...

Player stands in the deuce side service box. The coach feeds the ball to the player over the net, differing the height o the ball each time he feeds it. Player should practise alternating the return using a forehand volley and overhead stroke.

General

'X' movement Movement - Tennis...

Purpose:learn to move in an &quot;X&quot; pattern under pressure of movement.Coach feeds the ball in the sequence 1,2,3,4 for each player in turn. Coach feeds high deep balls to points 1,3 and shorter feeds to 2,4.Exact pattern of 1,2,3,4 maintained throughout.Player hits feeds 1,3 deep crosscourt. Feeds 2,4 down the line. Feed in sets of 16 balls.

General

Threes - Two up and change Ral...

Player 1 is working in the whole court. They must hit 2 cross-court forehands followed by 2 cross-court backhands. Player 2 is working in the forehand corner and must hit 1 forehand cross followed by 1 forehand line. Player 3 is working in the backhand corner and must hit 1 backhand cross followed by 1 backhand line.

General

Building points through deep c...

<BR>The coach feeds the ball to team A, they then have to hit it into the target area cross court. <BR>-Player from team B hits down the line if possible, however if under pressure from the depth or pace of the shot,then player B should play cross court or down the middle.<BR>Team A are hitting mostly cross court.

General

Passing shots Forehand & Backh...

Starting with a feed to either forehand or backhand at random players play their first shot down the line after which the players can play out the point. No lobs allowed.

General

Deuce Wide And Forehand Down L...

Player serves from the deuce side and delivers a wide serve, in between the cones. The coach will then hit the ball back cross-court, where the player finishes with a slice down the line, aiming between the cones.This is a progression of the Deuce Wide And Forehand Down Line drill above.

General

6 spots with one result Foreha...

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.

General

Waves! Rally Drills - Tennis -...

Players are playing doubles points from the hand in pairs.The pair who wins the point moves to the service line which is their starting position for the next point. Should they win the point from this starting position, players score 1 point and get to stay where there are. Should they lose the point from starting on the service line, they must move back to the baseline.

General

Split Step Movement - Tennis D...

Players should be encouraged to splitstep after each shot, and to use the correct footwork and racket technique on each and every shadow. Being under no pressure with a ball to hit, there is no excuse for poor posture or an off balanced body!

General

Behind the Baseline and Sideli...

Coach feeds balls to the deuce side.Player alternates hitting deep forehand cross-court and forehand angle cross-court.

General

Hit and move: Running drives R...

Players are working in threes with player 1 in a full-court and players 2 and 3 in the forehand and backhand corners respectively.Player 1 is hitting running drives, 1 forehand cross followed by 1 backhand cross.Player 2 is hitting a forehand line, and player 3 a backhand line.The pattern is played in this way for up to 3 minutes depending on the level of fitness of player 1.

General

Run Forrest, run! Rally Drills...

The coach feeds a drop-shot from the basket. Players 1 and 2 are at the same end as the coach and are positioned at the net.Player 3 must run forwards to try to get to the drop-shot and play it up to either of the players at the net.The players at the net must lob-volley the ball back over player 3's head. Player must then 3 run back to chase the ball hitting it again to either of the players at the net, who then drop volleys this ball.The point continues in this way until an unforced error is made or player 3 cannot run anymore!

General

Hitting on the Run Forehand & ...

There are 2 lines of players starting at the middle of the baseline. The coach feeds wide balls alternately to each side. Players hit one shot down the line and then return to the opposite line.

General

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pressure SESSIONS
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Work on the Tactical Serve

Work on serving patterns with this session, combining the serve with the forehand, to gain the advantage!

Tactical Solutions to Beat Different Opponents

To understand the type of the opponent, quickly analyse their playing style and choose the best possible tactical solution.

Control under time pressure

Develop your players reactions and movement to get into position early to create more time for themselves, even when rushed into shots.

Adapting to Different Points of Contact

To work on the forehand in different situations that require varying points of contact. To understand the necessity for technical adaptation when dealing with low, medium, and high balls.

Tennis is a Situational Game!

A session encouraging players to use their technical skills tactically!

Match Ready - Backhand Stroke

To work on technical and tactical aspects of backhand stroke from different areas on the court

Create a Tactical Advantage with Spin

To constantly change the spin and direction of shots to gain a tactical advantage during a rally.

Mid Court Shot Execution

Develop weapons that will allow for successful performance in the mid court area.

Punchy Volleying With Accuracy and Intent

Put some punch in your players' volleys and have them closing down the angle to put pressure on their opposition as they go on the attack!

Unpredictable Competitor

To coach a player with variety and a broader repertoire of shots so they are unpredictable to play against.

Tactical basics for effective match play

Understand tactical plays to create an advantage on the court by playing shots with a good depth to allow the player to approach the net and finish the point.

Another way to win points faster

Give your players the advantage with this session, by implementing the forehand drive into their game!

Comfortable With Forehand Grip

Allow your players to get control over the forehand while adjusting forehand grip

Hitting Without a Bounce

To understand opportunities that are available at the net to put more pressure on the opponent.

Return Confidence

Don't shy away from the serve! Get your players returning confidently with this week's session!

Dealing with left-handers

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

Conditioned Rallying Games | T...

Set up pressure situation in this games based session and see if your players can handle the pressure?

Mid Court Shot Execution | Ten...

Develop weapons that will allow for successful performance in the mid court area.
pressure ANSWERS
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How do you train a player to remain calm and not get?

How do you train a player to remain calm and not get nervous in a match?

Archived User Coach

How do I give my player the winning instinct?

To Marieke Das (who answered my previous question)%3A The 16-year old male loves tennis, and loves winning. It's just that he cannot carry his good game from practice to match. His shots become shorter, and with less pace. Even his net game suffers. I fear he is afraid to fail. What should I try?

Archived User Coach

Drills for one person.

Drills for one person.

Archived User Coach

How to beat a heavy top spin player?

can anyone suggest a tennis tactics on defeating a player who uses looping topspin?this type of player loves to rally, uses high bouncing topspin, and loves long rallies . however his opponent hates long rallies and ends up losing the point. any suggestions ?

Archived User Coach

introducing pressure to the training environment

I am interested in simulating the pressures of competition. Do any coaches have any tips or drills that can be incorporated into the training environment that add pressure/stress for the athlete and by doing this it will hopefully allow athlete to adapt to pressure. thanks!!

Newton michelle Coach, Canada

Use The middle of The court

How to best use The middle of The court?

Costel Coravu Coach, Romania

prepare 10 years boy for competetions?

how can i prepare 10 years boy for competetions?

Abdul Alsuroor Coach, Saudi Arabia

Psychology in tennis HELP! My ...

Psychology in tennis HELP!!! I have a daughter who is an excellent player who only started playing tennis seriously last yr at the age of 13. She is a much better player than all the people she has completed against in matches but always loses due to over hitting and getting upset if the wrong call is made (which happens frequently due to how fast she hits and serves) do we need some sort of psychological help for this. what is the best way to get this... books, councilling ??? any help would be most appreciated thanks

Archived User Coach

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