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skills 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

Non-dominant hand play

Players rally up and down the middle of the court but with the racket in their non-dominant hand, looking for as much control as they can get. Players count how many balls they can get in in a row between pairs.

Rally Drills

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

Run Forrest, run!

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!

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

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

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

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

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

Throw and Catch Coordination /...

Players stay on the opposite sites of the net. Player A throws the ball underhand with dominant hand in cross court direction. Player B catches the ball and throws it back.

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

1 Offense 1 Defense Forehand D...

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 sideWith 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.

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

Tap up tennis Aspire sport vid...

In partners, have a racket each and a ball between two. Tap the ball up to partner to catch on the racket.

General

Tennis: 24 minutes - Rallying ...

<div class=&quot;practiceText&quot;>The ball is fed in by the coach, or a waiting player, and players 1 and 2 rally the ball, moving each other around the full court in a co-operative manner.Players are constructing points but at a slightly lessened tempo and with greater control. Players work like this for 2 minutes, before one player is replaced by player 3, for the next 2 minutes.The idea is that players are working in this manner for 4 minutes at a time and resting then for 2 minutes until the 24 minutes are completed.</div>

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

Throw low rally Coordination /...

Targets are set to give a visual feedback to players. Players rally with each other, with both having to throw the ball below the upper bar.Sending and receiving are basic skills that all tennis players should be able to execute properly. Ability to catch the ball and throw it with a controlled motion helps players to learn tennis strokes in a quicker way. Coach should vary the targets of throwing according to the level of the kids.

General

Finish in 3 shots Forehand & B...

2 players play points against each other. Player A has to finish the point in 3 shots to win.Drill specifications:2-3 points and switchPoints are short so players can play few rallies in a row before they switch. With more players on the court waiting players should perform physical activities to improve footwork or they can observe other players to learn different tactical approaches.

General

Tennis: Warm up - throwing and...

Players perform regular warm up routines based on running and dynamic stretching. The coach prepares activity stations to improve athletic skills related to the session's theme. The video is a suggested warm up which involves the coach feeding the ball to the player from the other side of the net. The player then has to catch the ball and throw it back to the coach. To ensure a full warm up vary where you throw the ball.

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

Tap up Tennis hoop Aspire spor...

In partners, take it in turns to tap the ball up. Put a hoop in between them and score each time the ball bounces in the hoop.

General

Donkey Coordination / Fun Game...

Players hit one ball before running round the court to the other end. Each player gets 3 lives and loses one if they make a mistake, or fail to get into position on time. Alternatively players can collect letters for each mistake they make until they spell a work (like donkey). The winner is the one left standing. The coach can state at any time for the players to change direction in the way they are running around the court, even mid rally!

General

skills DRILL CATEGORIES
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Junior Tennis Drills
Junior Tennis Drills
skills SESSIONS
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Touch, feel and bluff!

Ban spin and power shots in this back to basics, close-quarters rallying session to teach your players how to feel the ball and focus on their hand skills!

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

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

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

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.

Dealing with moonballers

Make sure that your players deal with moonballers with this session, negotiating the high ball with ease to get in a winning position!

Hitting Without a Bounce

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

Close Range Volleying - Hand s...

Get to the net! Work on your players' rat-a-tat attacking volleys, hitting the ball earlier to get your players pressuring their opponent and cutting down their time to react!

Fun Coordination and Alternati...

Find out how coordinated your players are with this fun peripheral vision and alternative hand skills session
skills ANSWERS
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what drills do you use to teach contact point skills to mini reds

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Experts.

liz Sharman Coach, England

Psychology in tennis HELP! My daughter gets upset...

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

What are usefull tips for a tennis lesson given to?

What are usefull tips for a tennis lesson given to kids 6 or 7 years old, complete beginners and in groups of 12 kids ?

Archived User Coach

how can i make a 4 week plan for preparation for tennis?

how can i make a 4 week plan for preparation for tennis tournament i'll play

Archived User Coach

Fun game play ideas for year 3 students?

I am teaching only 4 lessons to year 3 and need some good ideas to cover the basic strokes and game play?

Sue Blackmore Coach, England

How to plan 4 progressive lessons?

Hi, I'm on Level 2 Tennis Assistant Coach course, and have a task to plan 4 progressive lessons, explaining the objectives,overall aims and what the players should be able to do before they move onto the next lesson. I did my Level 1 11 years ago, so I'm a bit out of touch. Can any one help please?

Archived User Coach

when is good to start teaching a forehand?

when is good to start teaching a forehand?

Anusha Coach, England

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

Membershio

Hi there, I recently purchased a monthly subscription to enhance my knowledge of coaching skills. Yet after payment, I am still unable to view most drills! why is this?

Rhys Briggs Coach, England

why is this helpful

what specific skills does this develop

Joshua Sillick Coach, England

high ball

hi what is the best drill to improve high ball contact point and footwork.

samala ashok Coach, India

gymnast with amputated arm

Bar routine for gymnast with amputated arm

Mandi Smith Coach, United Kingdom

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 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

WHAT WOULD BE A KEY SKILL FOR ...

WHAT WOULD BE A KEY SKILL FOR A TENNIS COACH

Archived User Coach

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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