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skill DRILLS
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Backhand slice - Game on!

Players are working cross-court from their backhand corners and have to hit a backhand slice off every single ball. They also have to slice the ball deeper than the service line and cannot dropshot or come to the net. If a player has to hit a forehand or a topspin backhand they lose the point straight away. Players must take it in turns to feed the ball in and the point is played out in this way in the half-court with the tramlines being out, first to 11 points.

Backhand Drills

Five Alive

Separate the whole group into teams of around 5-6. Each team nominates a player to feed first. When ready the feeder throws the ball to each player consecutively until the team has caught 5 balls. The team getting to 5 first shouts Five Alive and win the first point. A new feeder is selected by each team, and the next round begins.

Coordination / Fun Games

Queen/King of Depth

-Both players have cones approx 2 meters in front of base line (depending on players skill level.-Players gain a point each time they hit between the cone and the base line. -First player to 11 points wins the game.To make the drill easier it can be played on one half of the court and later progressed to full court. The game can also be started with with a second serve.

Rally Drills

Rewarding depth

-Lines of cones are placed as seen in the picture above.-To make the drill easier it can be played on one half of the court and later progressed to full court.-If the ball lands in the service box a point is deducted.Ball landing between the 2 lines of cones = 1 point.Players gain 3 points for shots hit into the last quarter.-First player to 11 points wins the game.-The game can also be started with a second serve.

Rally Drills

Service box touch

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. Players play first to 21 points.

Rally Drills

Taking the ball early

-Both players have cones approx 2 meters in front of base line (depending on players skill level.-Players gain a point each time they hit between the cone and the base line. -One of the players has to stay on or inside the baseline. -With more advanced players both have to play on or inside the baseline.-First player to 11 points wins the game.-To make the drill easier it can be played on one half of the court and later progressed to full court. -The game can also be started with a second serve.

Rally 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

Two ball tennis

-Without using a net, both players start with a ball. Starting simultaneously with an under arm throw they aim to keep both balls in play for as long as possible.-With more advanced players they can use the net and even rackets.

Coordination / Fun Games

Volley Run

TacticsVolleying Skills, Keeping ball in playDescriptionPartners line up along each side of the net. One player has the racket, the other has the ball. One player throws the ball to the volleyer who tries to hit the ball back to the feeder. If he catches it then they move one place to the right. The aim is to move along the length of the net as often as possible.

Volley Drills

Warm Up - Racquet, ball and co...

Control over the racquet and ball is a primary step for learning tennis. Players have to perform many various exercises before they will be able to execute tennis strokes. Many skills can be developed in various patterns. In this particular drill, player bounces the ball up 2 times and catches the ball into the cone.

General

Racket Skills Aspire sport vid...

Each child has a racket and tennis ball and, dependent on ability, balances the ball around the edge of the racket, ups, downs, alternates (twist racket between hits).

General

Mini-returning skills with the...

Player stands on the ad side with a cone in hand. Coach serves from the ad side. Player then catches the ball inside the cone and throws it over the net. During the first few tennis lessons, it can be too hard for kids to return the ball with the racquet. So the coach has to adapt to this situation and still improve returning skills; using a cone is a great opportunity to imitate a returning environment and improve receiving abilities.

General

Lob off drop Lob - Tennis Dril...

The player stands on the baseline. Cones mark the deep zone. The coach stands close to the net and feeds a drop shot to the backhand side and takes the racquet up. The player sprints forward and hits deep backhand slice lob off drop shot.

General

Racket skills Aspire sport vid...

Each child has a racket and tennis ball and dependent on ability they should try and - Around the clocks (balance ball around the edge of the racket), Ups, downs, Alternates (twist racket between hits)

General

Rally with observation Rally D...

The coach stands at the net and rallies with a player. The coach hits all the balls randomly and can change position. The player has to play all the ball back to the coach even if she changed her court position.Opponent's perception is a skill as any other that players have to practice. Most of the time players focus on the ball so they are pretty good with ball perception but they don't have the same ability according to the opponent. Knowing where the rival is situated on the court can be a great advantage because we can use more effective tactical decisions and win points without taking too much risk.

General

Surprise after the angle Foreh...

2 players rally together in cross court direction. Player A picks the right moment to hit angle shot and opens the court up. After successful angle shot player finishes the next ball with drop shot down the line.Drill specifications:1 point and switchWhile 2 players are hitting on the court others can work on different skills. Physical activites are always good to incorporate but because of the drop shot included in this pattern, waiting players can cooperate and sharp this skill (player A is throwing the ball and player B is softly hitting drop shots back to the feeder).

General

Floor tennis Aspire sport vide...

In partners, give each child a racket. Then, using the racket, the children push the ball to each other. They can stop the ball using the racket, then push it back to their partner when in position. Put cones out as goals to try to hit the ball through. Score points for stopping the ball going through.

General

Catching - Tennis Circle Catch...

<p>• The aim of the drill is to develop reaction catching skills.</p>

General

Ground-strokes rolling the bal...

Cones are set on both sides of each player, Player 1 rolls all balls cross court. Player B rolls all balls down the line, with both players rallying together for as long as possible.Ability to control the ball in the easiest activities is important to further develop tennis-specific skills. Cooperation is of utmost importance for young players so this skill should be emphasized in each rally exercise.

General

Control Is The Key Forehand Dr...

The coach throws an easy ball to the player who hits a forehand shot back to the coach. The Coach then throws the ball back again but this time the player hits a forehand shot to the open space (deuce side) where the cones are situated.

General

Rally and run around Forehand ...

The player stands between 2 cones. The coach and player rally with each other. The coach tries to hit all the balls between the cones, which the player then hits the ball and runs around the cone according to the stroke he chose. If the player hits a forehand he has to run around the right cone. If the player hits a backhand he has to run around left cone.Adding decision making skill to simple rally is a great way to teach your players how to act under the time pressure. If the player is able to maintain consistency while making right decisions, then they won't have problems with smart strategy during the match. It is important to design drills that are consisted of skills that players have to use during competition because the more similar the practice environment to the competitive one, the easier it will be to perform at the same level day by day.

General

Regular Rally with a Drive Ral...

The player stands on the baseline, whilst the coach stands at the net. Both rally together; the player uses only backhand cross court, whilst the coach hits the ball back with a volley.The coach hits randomly a slower and higher ball to allow the player to hit backhand drive in the air.The next step of every skill is to check how the player can react to a situation where given skill can be used. Setting an environment, where the player is forced to react and use drive in the air, is an opportunity to develop tactical awareness.

General

Kick Tennis - Moving net Kicki...

Split the group into three teams. One team starts in the middle of the grid along the line. The idea of the game is to kick the ball over the middle team and try to land the ball in the oppositions area. If the ball is caught then no points are scored, if the ball bounces in the oppositions area then 1 point is scored. If one of the players in the middle catches the ball (they gain 1 point) then they swap positions with the team that kicked the ball.

General

Developing Coordination- Progr...

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.

General

Relay race Coordination / Fun ...

This is a simple relay race through the cones with some fun variations for your players: First person in each team balances the ball on their strings moving around the cones to the net and back (like an egg and spoon race)<br /><br /> The ball is then passed to the strings of the person next in line, who repeat the run<br /><br /> The first team to finish wins the race

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

Deuce mini killer Forehand Dri...

The coach stands at the net on the deuce side and the player starts from the service line. The coach moves the player around with volleys, and the player hits only slices back to the coach.

General

1 air 1 bounce Volley Drills -...

The player stands at the service line. The coach feeds balls to the backhand side. The coach alternates feeds hitting 1 ball into the legs of the player and 1 regular ball. The player alternates hitting 1 backhand half-volley and 1 regular backhand volley in a down the line direction.

General

skill DRILL CATEGORIES
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Junior Tennis Drills
Junior Tennis Drills
skill SESSIONS
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Sending and receiving low balls

Help your players to reach low balls and then send their own with this session, working on the right technique and thinking tactically, for the right moment

Learning to take the ball early and inside the court

Get your players to take the ball at the top of the bounce, making the shot easier for themselves while simultaneously giving their opponent less time!

Mid Court Shot Execution

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

Cardio Tennis Fun

Improve your player's tennis skills in a friendly and fun environment while being active and burning a lot of calories!

Necessary skills for successful doubles

Get your players working effectively as a duo and improving their doubles game

Tactical aspects faced in the match

Develop tactical awareness to understand what shot to play, where to recover to and ultimately to create point winning opportunities.

Technical Basics of the Backhand Volley

To start from scratch and break down the backhand volley to ensure the correct technique is used by players.

Unpredictable Competitor

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

Variety at the net

Answer all the questions that the opponent throws you at the net with this session, getting you confident and using variety to win the point

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.

Points based on Forehand scenarios

Work on different tactical plays with your players on court, based on their forehand stroke, to catch the opposition off guard!

King Of The Deuce

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

Strategy to force mistakes

Attack with purpose and work on your player?s tactics with this session, ready to outfox the opposition

Running Scenarios

Fluid movement is essential to firstly making balls and then being in a good position to play an effective shot. Go through the full repertoire of shots whilst on the move with this tough session.

Physical Skills Incorporated Into Technical Session

Improve your players' athletic abilities to help them develop tennis specific skills quicker.

Slicing The Ball Without Fear

To get more comfortable with using the slice in different situations on the court and to understand the factors that are related to executing a high quality slice shot.
skill 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

What are good basic and fun drills to do with beginner/improvers?

What are good basic and fun drills to do with beginner/improvers in large groups (20-25)?

Lizzie Howard Coach, England

WHAT WOULD BE A KEY SKILL FOR A TENNIS COACH

WHAT WOULD BE A KEY SKILL FOR A TENNIS COACH

Archived User Coach

What is my fault? Difficulty coaching some of the older players - advice?

Helo, my name is Fernando, I am a Spanish tennis teacher who started teaching six months ago. I am working in a public sportcenter and I am having some problems with adults. When I started I realiced that the students were used to playing tennis without any control. Young students told me that the other teacher only used to leave them play - he rarely explained them how to hit the ball. Consequently the do enjoy my clases and they are learning a lot and impoving their level of tennis. So far so good, but the problem is that with the adults I have the impression that they don´t like my clases. In fact some of them left the group at the begining. I try to mix different kinds of drills during the class and I usually finish it with a game like for example 21, winner........ But it seems that they don´t enjoy it. During the exercises most of them don´t try to do what I tell them. As a result, they don´t have a good level of tennis. But as far as I know, the other teacher was a tennis player who uses to play against them during the clases. As this is my first time teaching tennis, I don´t fell confidence and that is the reason whay I do´t like to play against them. Appart from that I think that this is not my role as a teacher. So I would like you to tell me how to deal with that situation. I don´t care if they leave me because this is not going to affect my job, but i wouldn´t like them to leave just because I like tennis and I like teaching tennis. Thank you very much for your help. I am sorry for my English. Best wishes!!!!

Fernando Coach, Spain

What is the most effective serve in racquetball?

What is the most effective serve in racquetball?

Archived User Coach

How can I improve my player's fighting spirit?

My player doesn't have a great fighting spirit in matches which leads to losing a lot of close games because of the lack of fighting spirit.

Ahmed el Essaily Coach, Egypt

What's the best way to decide on contenders for a doubles team?

Please can you describe the most effective way of deciding on the best doubles trialists at a club. Perhaps you could do an article on the clearest way of deciding on contenders for a doubles team. I've heard of one method only %3A you play 4 members of the squad at a time ; get them to play 2 sets, getting the 2 stronger players to swap sides after the first set, and totalling the aggregate scores after those 2 sets in order to rank the players in order of doubles skill... Any better ideas?

Archived User Coach

Position of the coach when feeding

hi. My name is Letty . Im a young coach trying to get level1 (ITF). Kindly help me with the position of the coach when trying to get a player u12 to practice passing.is it wrong for the coach to be in the service box or not?

Letlhogonolo M Matenge Coach, Botswana

Need help with yellow ball clinic.

I need help with a game plan for yellow ball clinic that’s 12 weeks long Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Charles Heard Coach, England

What is the most efficient way to plan a training

I know some coaches use ; Monday - Serve Tuesday - Return Wednesday - Forehand Thursday - Backhand Some are using wave planning and some use 3 days Serve 3 days Return 3 days Forehand My Question is what is the most efficient way to plan a training

Berk Coach, Turkey

How do I coach 14 girls (varyi...

How do I coach 14 girls, all of varying levels from beginner to advanced on just two courts?

Archived User Coach

Ideas For Ball Skills - Tennis...

Hey. im doing a camp for tennis in the holidays, but im not actually coaching tennis, ive gota coach them 'ball skills' for like hand and eye coordination etc etc.. Was wondering if anyone had any ideas... ?

Cindy Harvey Coach, England

How can I improve my player's ...

My player doesn't have a great fighting spirit in matches which leads to losing a lot of close games because of the lack of fighting spirit.

Ahmed el Essaily Coach, Egypt

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