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DESCRIPTION

Level: 3.0 and above

Objective: Improve half-volley technique and ball control in small court spaces


Setup

  • Players: Minimum 4 (2 champions, rest are challengers)
  • Court: Half-court (split left and right, with a separate rally on each side)

Instructions

  1. Starting Position: Champions stand on one side, challengers on the other.
  2. Serve: Challengers serve a soft second serve straight ahead to the champions.
  3. Half-Volley: Champions must return the serve as a half-volley, and the point is played out.
  4. Faulted Serve: If a server faults, they immediately lose the point and rotate out with another challenger ("lose and cruise").
  5. Winning Objective: Champions aim to keep their position by winning points, while challengers attempt to win their spot.

Variations

  • Variation 1: Champions start in no-man’s land (between the baseline and the net).
  • Variation 2: If a server hits too hard (like a first serve), champions can let it go. If the ball hits the back curtain before the second bounce, the server loses the point.

COACHING POINTS

Key Learning Points:

  • Half-Volley Technique: Practice ball control immediately after the bounce.
  • Footwork: Champions need to quickly position and stabilize for the half-volley.
  • compact preparation
  • Split step as the opponent hits
  • Stay low
  • Feet shoulder-width apart

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