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Tennis: serving

serving DRILLS
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Attacking and dominating with the serve

-Player 1 is serving in shaded area all the time.-Player 2 is not allowed to stand in the tramlines before player 1 serves.-After the return play out the point. -Each pair keeps their score and plays first to 7 points.

Attacking

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

Progression with server and returner

DescriptionServer has to say which area they are serving to. If they serve into correct area and eventually win the point they receive bonus points.

Serve and Return

Return of serve 1

Players position themselves on return line. Coach (2) takes turns serving to both deuce and the court.

Serve and Return

Return of serve 2

Players position themselves half way between baseline and service line. Coach (2) takes turns serving to both deuce and the court.

Serve and Return

Returning with Angles

The player will serve 2nd serves, with the player at the other end will return, and aim for the target area between the side line and throw down line.

Serve and Return

Serving A / B

Player 1 has to tell player 2 whether the are serving into area A or B. Player 1 has two serves, if the serve goes in the correct area and they eventually win the point they get a bonus point. If the serve goes in the unstated area the point is still played out with no bonus points. The first player to 4 points wins.

Serve and Return

Split the 2

Practice serve then player has to play the ball down the line and the player at the net has to try andplay the ball cross court between the two opponents. If the ball is not played correctly opponents can return the ball and try to win the point.

Passing Shots Drills

Total tennis through throwing

-The players only use the service box and play without rackets.-Start with an over-arm throw from behind the service line (as if serving) and play out a rally with normal tennis rules.-When the player catches the ball they can only hold it for 1 second. When the player has the ball they cannot move there feet!-If the ball bounces they must use under-arm throws. If they catch it before bouncing, they can throw over-arm (as if volleying before bounce!)-First player to 7 points wins, as in the tie-break.

Coordination / Fun Games

Use the alley

TacticDetermine the rally with the wide serve. How effective is the serve on a wide serve.DescriptionPlayer A is serving in area A all the time. However player B is not allowed to to stand in the tramlines before player A serves. Then play out points first to 7 points. Player A should be trying to dominate the rally with their serve pulling player B into or beyond the tramlines.

Rally Drills

Serving A / B Serve and Return...

Player 1 has to tell player 2 whether the are serving into area A or B. Player 1 has two serves, if the serve goes in the correct area and they eventually win the point they get a bonus point. If the serve goes in the unstated area the point is still played out with no bonus points. The first player to 4 points wins.

General

Cone Serving Serve and Return ...

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.</div>

General

Tennis: Body Serve From The De...

Player serves to the body from the deuce side, aiming through the cones. The coach then feeds a regular ball to the advantage side, and the player finishes with a deep backhand cross-court in between the cones on the other side of the court.

General

Knee Serve (both knees) Serve ...

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

General

using the serve advantage Fore...

The player serves wide from the ad side, with the aim of getting the ball to land between two cones in the serving box on the opposite side of the court. The coach, standing in front of the player, then feeds him/her the ball to their backhand side. The player then has to run around and hit forehand inside in, with the aim of getting the ball to land between two cones placed in the corner of the deuce side on the other side of the net.

General

Service box touch Rally Drills...

Players 1 and 2 stand opposite each other, close to the net, working in the half court service boxes.Players take it in turns to start the point by holding the ball on top of the net and then release it, letting it fall to whichever side it chooses.The ball can bounce once or be volleyed. The tram-lines are out and no topspin or pace must be used by either player.<hr />Players play first to 21 points.</div>

General

Progression of Serve and Volle...

<B>Description</B><BR>same as t30031 however if server can make 1st volley a winner they score 2 extra points.

General

Serve / Return Point Play Serv...

Player 1 is serving and will play a sequence of 4 points against player 2 as follows:Serving from the deuce court player 1 must serve wide. Player 2 must return the shot to player 1's forehand side.<br /><br />Serving from the deuce court player 1 must serve inside. Player 2 must return the shot to player 1's backhand side.<br /><br />Serving from the advantage court player 1 must serve inside to player 2 who must return the ball to player 1's forehand corner.<br /><br />Serving from the advantage court player 1 must serve wide to player 2 who must return the ball to player 1's backhand side.</div>

General

Serving feedback Serve and Ret...

The coach stands on the baseline in the deuce corner with racquet stretched to the right side. The player serves wide using slice serve. The goal is to hit the ball inside the service box and avoid the coach's racquet.

General

Attacking Attacking - Tennis D...

<BR>- Coach feeds in the ball.<BR>- The net player can hit any ball, but cannot go behind the service line.<BR>- Rotate after 6 points.

General

Target Serve Central Line Serv...

4 players,  4 cones or spots, basket of tennis balls. <p class="p1">4 cones set up in a line along the centre of each service box. <p class="p1">Two players take 2 serves each to the relevant service box aiming to hit the cones. <p class="p1">The next 2 players then take 2 serves each. <p class="p1">The drill continues until all balls have been used. 1 point scored for every cone hit.

General

One serve - Under Pressure Ser...

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.

General

3 progressive returns Serve an...

The coach stands on the service line (ad side), and the player starts from the baseline. The coach serves to the T, so that the players hits a forehand return cross-court. After successful hit into the zone, the player moves forward between service line and baseline, and hits another return. After successful hit into the zone, the player moves forward to the service line to execute another return.

General

Serve / Volley - Cross court S...

Player 1 serves and follows it in to hit a volley. Player 2 must attempt to hit a return cross court. Player 1 then hits a volley angled cross court to target area.

General

Serve and Volley Serve and Ret...

Player 1 serves a 1st Serve and follows it in to hit a volley. If returner is finding it hard then serve a 2nd serve. Serve volley behind the returner i.e. to the same direction that the ball came from to wrong foot the opponent.

General

Serve And Body Ball Movement -...

Player serves the ball, and immediately after serving, the coach tosses a deep ball into player's body. The player's goal is to move back and hit with control.

General

Answer the serve Serve and Ret...

Coach serves from the deuce side. The player then hits a cross-court forehand return.

General

Deep and short Forehand Drills...

Cones are set on the deuce side (deep and short). The player stands on the service line and the coach feeds high ball to the forehand side. The player executes forehand drive in the air deep cross-court and moves forward, before the coach feeds another ball to the backhand side.The player finishes with backhand drop-volley down the line.

General

Serve body + volley Serve and ...

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.

General

Slice and cut it down the line...

Player A executes wide slice serve from the deuce side. Player B hits forehand cross court return. Player A moves diagonally forward and finishes with offensive down the line shot.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 some footwork activities including quick diagonal movement to gain bigger improvements while moving to the ball after the serve.

General

T + Forehand corner Serve and ...

Player A executes flat serve to the T. Player B hits defensive return. Player A moves forward and hits offensive forehand into one of the corners.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. It is important for returning players to not miss returns into the net because it completely prevents from hitting the next shot. Waiting players can throw a medicine ball in an overhead motion to improve strength and increase the power of the first serve.

General

Toss Variety - Kick Serve Serv...

Player learns how to toss the ball into the proper spot. Coach stands on the right of the player (slice serve) or on the left of the player (kick serve). Player tries to toss the ball into the coach's hand. Players have to be able to vary the toss according to the serve they want to execute. Slice, kick serve and flat serves require slightly different tosses to make chances bigger for effective results. For the kick serve, toss to the left side is a necessity to successfuly deliver the ball with high and unexpected bounce. Hitting from the left to the right will add spin responsible for ball bounces to the right side. Tossing the ball to the left helps also with contacting the ball at lower point (in opposite to any other serve) which has an impact on loopy trajectory of the serve.

General

Left Side Serve and Return - T...

The player imitates serving action, and then takes backswing and touches the back 2 times with the edge of the racquet.

General

serving 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!

The Beginning of the Point

To work on different aspects of the serve and return and to engrain shots that players could call upon at the start of the point.

Control The Rally With Backhand Shot

Develop different forms of backhand to maintain effectiveness during a match and understand how tactical decision impact technical preparation to make proper adjustments when needed.

Serving With Confidence

Power up your player's serve and improve their confidence and movement after the serve to help win more points when they have the ball in hand!

Create Challenges From The Point Start

To work on different hitting patterns from the serve and into the first shot after the return.

Worthy Slice From The Forehand Side

To improve control over the sliced, backspin shot from the forehand side.

Serving wide to create the one two punch

This is the first part of this two-part attacking serving session - serving from the deuce court

Challenge the serve to meet demands!

Make your players tactically aware and ready for their return of serve, hitting shot patterns to go on the front foot

Serve and Return - Accuracy and consistency session

Get your players mastering their first and seconds serves while also working on their ability to return a speedy serve!

King Of The Deuce

Teach your players to become king of the deuce side and dominate opponents!

The Serve for Juniors

Develop your juniors serve by starting with the fundamentals. As such a vital part of the game, making training effective yet enjoyable is a must, so use this session to get the best from your players.

Dealing with left-handers

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

Serving wide to create the one two punch: Advantage court

Get your players using the flat and kick serve to develop an aggressive serve and first shot combination

Respond and Return

Break your opponent's serve more often by learning how to respond and where to position your return!

React and Win!

Get your players on their toes and reacting quicker than ever before to win those all important points

Nail Your Serve: Improve Technically

Share this plan with your players, as you look to work on the technical aspects of their serve!

Develop serving variety to you...

Develop your players' variety of serve and ability to connect it with the second shot to create tactical opportunities to hit point winning shots.
serving ANSWERS
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What can you do to help a player with their serve?

What can you do to help a player with their serve, when they say they want to get more power on it?

Archived User Coach

how can i correct a slapping forehand

one of my student is playing is forehand , with slapping. pls let me know how to correct it. gana.

Coach, United States of America

Lost confidence in my serve-how can I get my 1st serve confidence back?

Hi, I'm a teenis player (ITF Futures level) I used to do a lot of ace as 30 or 40 % in my first serve. Then, I had an injury (ankle) and I was awhile without training. I started playing again 3 month ago, and now  I don't have any confidence in my serve. For this reason I have to play with second serves almost all matches and practises. I would like to know what can I do. I would appreciate if someone could help me in this case. Thanks.  

Archived User Coach

I'm coaching middle school tennis for the first time. Where to begin?

Coaching tennis to middle school athletes for the first time. How do I begin?

Rhonda R Lang Coach, United States of America

How to run try-outs, getting 50 students down to 32?

There are 50 students, and I need to select 32 of them. How will you plan your try-out? Test for accuracy? Fitness?

Farhad Roshanaie Coach, United States of America

I want to improve my tennis toughness & play more aggressively - any tips?

I used to play on clay court for 20 years, now it's been two years that I've been exposed to hard court. About my game%3A I have a very good technique on all my strokes including volley, good kick serve, I am 192 cm. My issue%3A I was not taught to play aggressively, now in my matches I don't take the net; consequently, in spite of executing a high level tennis, I loose to some players that I never should. I've read some tennis mental toughness books, I teach them, but I don't know how can I change my own mental set. When I hit top spin (groundies), I enjoy and feel secure, even though it results in my loss and sorrow. I'm ready for change but how?

Farhad Roshanaie Coach, United States of America

My player loses games he's winning 0-40 - how can I instill a killer instinct?

my boy 11 years old he is winning 40-0 and he can finished the game easy when he is serving.but when the oponeten serving and my boy is winning 0-40 he cant finish the game and always he is loosing it

adamou christodoulos Coach, Cyprus

lesson plan on serve and return

how do you do a lesson plan for serving and returning while rolling the ball with racket and (tactic) moving the opponent

Bella Coach, South Africa

Lost confidence in my serve-ho...

Hi, I'm a teenis player (ITF Futures level) I used to do a lot of ace as 30 or 40 % in my first serve. Then, I had an injury (ankle) and I was awhile without training. I started playing again 3 month ago, and now  I don't have any confidence in my serve. For this reason I have to play with second serves almost all matches and practises. I would like to know what can I do. I would appreciate if someone could help me in this case. Thanks.  

Archived User Coach

HOW DO YOU DO A SPIN SERVE Ten...

HOW DO YOU DO A SPIN SERVE

Archived User Coach
serving COMMUNITY DRILLS
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Answer the serve

the big dipper (ad side)

Serving game

DOUBLES (WIDE SERVE ON DEUCE. T SERVE ON AD SIDE)

Autosave 10393847

Autosave 3347779Autosave 74402356Autosave 63802778

First strike serve/ return points

Cone serving

Live ball serving

King of the court

serving WEB VIDEOS
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