This drill can be done with either singles or doubles.
AIMS
To practice the return and groundstroke attack; to make the returner select the best return and second shot option; to make the returner (or returning team) dominate the point.
LEVEL
All
DESCRIPTION
the returner (or returning team) has to win the point within three of her shots (including the return). If the returner hasn’t won the point after three shots, the point stops immediately and the server wins the point. this forces the returner to seize the initiative of the rally straightaway. She will want to contact the return from inside the baseline and may choose to attack down the line to create an advantage.
vARIATIoNS
- If the returner hasn’t won the point after three of her shots, the point is allowed to finish. If the returner wins the point after three shots, she does not score (i.e., she prevents the server from scoring). If the server wins a point at any time, she scores a point as normal.
- the number of shots the returner is allowed can be increased or decreased depending on the level of play.
- coaches can combine this drill for both server and returner; that is, allow the server only three shots to win the point using her first serve and allow the returner only three shots using her second serve return.
COACHING POINTS
the returner should build the point with controlled aggression because three shots will often be enough to win the point with—especially against a weak second serve. When the point ends after the returner’s third shot, the coach should note whether she is in a dominating, neutral, or defensive position. this will show how effective she is at using this tactic.
DRILL 2.7 Maintaining Baseline Control After the Return
AIMS
To maintain control over the opponent from the baseline through a series of pressuring groundstrokes hit after the second serve return; to enhance tactical awareness by noting the momentum of each rally.
LEVEL
All
DESCRIPTION
players play first to seven points with the same player serving only second serves until completion. The returner must maintain dominance over her opponent by never giving her the chance to recover to a neutral position during the rally. this means that the returner must always be more than 50:50 ahead in the point. If the server manages to recover back to neutral, the returner loses the point automatically.
vARIATIoN
players combine the first serve and control tactic with the second serve return and control tactic. In other words, when the first serve goes in, the server has to always remain in control of the point, but when she misses her first serve, the returner must maintain control instead.
COACHING POINTS
this drill will force the player to hit with more consistent aggression and will make her look for any opportunity to dominate her opponent. players should be encouraged to play as many balls from inside the baseline as possible. the coach should note how quickly the player manages to perceive her own rally position—and how realistic her judgments are of neutral and dominating positions. Doing this will help to indicate how well she reads the game tactically and will encourage her to use more perception and anticipation skills in matches.
AIMS
To practice the return and drive volley tactic; to make the returner dominate the point; to help the returner improve her anticipation and perception skills.
LEVEL
All
DESCRIPTION
the player uses a two-shot, crosscourt pattern to dominate her opponent. the coach hits second serves to the player, who returns aggressively crosscourt from either the deuce or advantage court. the coach defends this shot with a high, floated ball hit down the line (hand-fed if necessary). the player moves in and hits a drive volley crosscourt into the space. the drill is completed when the player hits five return and drive volley patterns from each returning side.
vARIATIoN
the coach feeds a variety of high second shots across the court so the returner has to decide quickly whether to drive volley with a forehand or backhand. the coach then feeds a variety of high and low balls, forcing the player to perceive the flight path of the ball quickly enough so that she can make the correct shot selection. Hitting a normal volley or short groundstroke against a low ball will be a better second shot choice.
COACHING POINTS
the returner must read the flight path of the ball quickly. She must decide whether to hit a forehand or backhand and move inside the baseline and position herself correctly. again, a large target area should be encouraged for the drive volley, the coach should note where the player moves to after the drive volley. Does she naturally move in to the net, or does she prefer to move back to the baseline? Her movement will indicate where she is most comfortable playing from. If she prefers to come forward, then she could add a ‘finish’ volley to this aggressive pattern (i.e., a volley into the space that wins the point).
AIMS
To practice the return and sneak tactic; to make the returner dominate the point; to develop efficient movement to the net; to help the returner improve her instinctive decision-making skills.
LEVEL
Intermediate to advanced
DESCRIPTION
the coach hits second serves to the player, who tries to return aggressively from inside the baseline. If the return puts the coach under pressure, then she must use the sneak and play her second shot as a volley. the player must play the volley from inside the service line each time. the drill should begin with the player knowing the direction of the serve beforehand and progress to a more open situation once the player has developed her execution of the tactic. the player completes the drill after five successful sneaks from each returning side.
vARIATIoN
Bonuses can be awarded when the player uses the return and sneak tactic. the coach rewards the player’s correct instinct, even if she loses the point.
COACHING POINTS
the returner must be able to recognise two things quickly: (1) how her return is going to affect her opponent (anticipation) ( i.e., as soon as the ball leaves her racket, she should have an idea as to how good the return is going to be) and (2) the type of shot her opponent has just played (perception) (i.e., is her second shot aggressive, defensive, or neutralising, and can it be volleyed?). the coach must match the second shot (which may be a hand-feed) with the quality of the return. For example, a powerful and early return, hit from well inside the baseline, should elicit a more defensive second shot. this gives the player realistic and natural feedback.
AIMS
To practice the return and planned approach tactic; to make the returner dominate the point; to develop efficient movement to the net; to help the returner increase her variety of shot.
LEVEL
Intermediate to advanced
DESCRIPTION
the coach hits second serves to the player’s backhand side. the player must approach down the line, middle, or short crosscourt with either a topspin or slice return (use returning targets on court if possible). the coach plays his or her second shot down the middle of the court to give the player valuable volleying practice. the player must play this volley from inside the service line every time. the drill is completed when the player successfully uses both the chip and charge and drive-in approach five times each.
vARIATIoN
the point is played out normally once the return and planned approach tactic has been developed. the serve is hit to either the forehand or backhand side, and the coach’s second shot can be played anywhere. Bonus points are awarded for successful execution of this tactic during practice matches. Also, the player should use the drop shot return to approach with to increase shot variety.
COACHING POINTS
the coach should note whether the player is more comfortable approaching with the forehand or backhand return, and if she prefers to hit with topspin or slice. the coach should also note which court she is more effective returning from (i.e., the deuce or advantage court), and whether she prefers the middle or wide serve to attack. Early perception of the oncoming serve will help the player prepare in time and contact the ball in front of her body, this, in turn, will allow her to move forward through the shot and approach more naturally in to the net. Once she establishes which planned approach she favours most, the coach should encourage her to incorporate it into her next match. this will help add tactical variety to her game.
