This drill can be used to gauge a serve’s quality. The server should still win the majority of the points if the serve is good enough.
AIMS
To show that a tactic’s execution is more important than the variety of tactics used; to show that it may not matter whether the opponent knows or can anticipate the tactic in advance if the server can execute her serve and second shot well enough.
LEVEL
All
DESCRIPTION
players play a practice set with the server telling the returner where she will hit her first serve before the start of each point. The server must play aggressively, trying to use the serve and groundstroke attack tactic whenever possible—yet without forcing her shots too much. She should still win her fair share of service points if she executes this tactic well enough, even though the returner knows where her serve is going.
vARIATIoNS
- a player who serves exceptionally well can try this drill with her second serve as well as her first.
- To make the drill more realistic to an open point situation, the server tells the returner before the practice points begin where she will serve the majority of her first or second serves (or both).
- The server tells the returner the direction of her serve only at key moments during practice points, to increase the pressure on herself (e.g., whenever she is down 15-30 in the game).
DRILL 1.4 Using Only Three First Serves per Game
AIM
To emphasise the value of getting a first serve in.
LEVEL
All
DESCRIPTION
Players play a practice set with the server being allowed to play only three first serve points per service game. the remaining points are played using second serves only. this may mean that the server doesn’t actually get to play a first serve point if she misses all three attempts! the server must indicate to the returner—for instance, by ‘showing’ the ball as if using the ‘new balls’ sign—if she intends to use one of her first serves before the start of the point. This will allow the returner to adjust her returning position accordingly.
vARIATIoN
Only first serves in are counted toward the server’s allocation of three. This allows the server more than three attempts if she needs them.
COACHING POINTS
The coach should note when the server chooses to use her first serves. In other words, does she use them when up, down, or at the start of each game? This will give a good indication as to how aware she is of the tactical momentum of the match and at what stage in the game she values her first serve most. Also, the coach should note whether she deliberately adjusts her first serve technique (e.g., adds more spin, slows the ball down) to get more in. This may indicate how important getting the serve in is to her, compared to hitting it aggressively.
DRILL 1.5 Using the First Serve to Create an Advantage
AIM
To highlight the quality of the serve, as well as the perception and anticipation skills of the server.
LEVEL
All
DESCRIPTION
players play first to seven points with the same player serving until completion. the server has to be at least 60:40 up in the point (i.e., 60:40 favourite to win the point) as she is about to hit her second shot. If not, she loses the point immediately and catches the ball instead of hitting it. this means that the server has to dominate the returner by using a serve that creates an attacking opportunity straightaway. It also means that she has to read the tactical impact of her serve clearly and quickly to make the right decision.
vARIATIoNS
- the ratio of the server’s position can be increased as the effectiveness of the serve improves (70:30, 80:20, etc.).
- the coach sets performance targets for the server for every service game (e.g., she must hit at least one unreturnable serve per game or she starts at 0-15 in her next one).
- the returner makes the decision instead of the server. this will give the server valuable feedback from her opponent’s perspective.
- the same drill is used for the second serve. the server must be at least 50:50 in the point as she is about to hit her second shot. Again, this ratio can be increased or decreased as appropriate.
COACHING POINTS
the coach should note what the server regards as being an advantageous position and how often she gets into one. this will highlight her tactical reading of the game and how effective her serve actually is.
DRILL 1.6 Maintaining Control After the First Serve
AIM
To maintain control over an opponent through a series of pressuring ground- strokes hit after the first serve.
LEVEL
All
DESCRIPTION
players play first to seven points with the same player serving until completion. the server plays the point against the returner but only from the half of the court she served from. the returner plays in the whole court. the server hits her groundstrokes down the line and crosscourt, alternately, until the point is won. the return must be played back crosscourt to the server’s half; otherwise, the point is lost immediately, the server plays from the half court to practice being in a dominant position, whereas the returner plays from the whole court to practice playing from a defensive position.
vARIATIoN
the server is allowed a certain amount of groundstrokes to construct with before the point is played out in the whole court for both players. For example, the server is allowed to hit four alternate shots (including the serve) before the returner can hit into the open court.
COACHING POINT
the coach should encourage the server to build pressure on the returner by hitting with consistency and accuracy so that a winning opportunity opens up naturally, the key here is to not allow the returner the chance to regain a neutral position at any time during the point.
AIMS
To practice the first serve and drive volley tactic; to make the server dominate the point; to help the server improve her anticipation and perception skills.
LEVEL
Intermediate to advanced
DESCRIPTION
the server hits her first serve to predetermined targets. the coach returns the serve (or feeds a return if necessary) using a chipped, high ball that floats down the line or middle of the court. the server must hit her second shot as a drive volley. the player completes the drill after moving to and hitting six drive volleys (three from each serving position).
vARIATIoN
the coach feeds a variety of returns so the server has to decide quickly whether to hit the ball as a drive volley.
COACHING POINTS
the server 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 this shot.
AIMS
To practice the first serve and sneak tactic; to make the server dominate the point; to help the server improve her anticipation and perception skills.
LEVEL
Intermediate to advanced
DESCRIPTION
the server hits her first serve to predetermined targets. the coach returns the serve in one of two ways: (1) hitting an attacking, topspin return or (2) hitting a sliced, more defensive return. the server must sneak in to the net against the sliced return. the player completes the drill after moving to, and hitting, five sneak volleys.
vARIATIoN
players play points and receive bonuses when they use the serve and sneak tactic. the coach rewards the player’s correct instinct, even if the point is lost.
COACHING POINTS
the server must be able to recognise two things quickly: (1) how her serve is going to affect the returner (anticipation) (i.e., as soon as the ball leaves her racket, she should have an idea as to how good the serve is going to be) and (2) the type of shot the returner has just played (perception) (i.e., is the return aggressive, defensive, or neutralising, and can it be volleyed?). the coach must match the return with the quality of the serve (e.g., a powerful and accurate serve should elicit a defensive return). this gives the player realistic and natural feedback.
DRILL 1.9 Practicing the Serve and Volley Tactic
AIMS
To practice the serve and volley tactic; to make the server dominate the point; to help the server improve her movement after the serve.
LEVEL
Intermediate to advanced
DESCRIPTION
players play points to five with the server using first serves only to serve and volley with (i.e., they score only when the first serve goes in). the returner tries to make the server play every first volley by hitting back down the middle of the court. the server must hit her first volley from inside the service line; otherwise, she loses the point immediately. She is awarded three points for a winning volley, two points for winning the point using the serve and volley tactic, or one point if she makes her first volley into court but loses the point (thereby preventing her opponent from scoring). She is awarded one point if her opponent misses her return.
vARIATIoN
players use normal tennis scoring but are awarded bonus points for smart use of the serve and volley tactic (even if the point is lost sometimes).
COACHING POINTS
the coach should encourage an explosive first two steps forward after the serve. this will allow the server to close in on her first volley and allow less time for the returner to make the passing shot or lob. players must ‘split-step’ just before the return is hit to help their balance and movement to the volley, (the timing of this is vital and should be practiced as an important part of volley technique.) the volley should be played with a contact point in front of the body and with a firm wrist on contact with the ball.
DRILL 1.10 Dominating the Net as a Serving Team
AIMS
To practice the serve and volley tactic; to establish dominance at the net; to improve communication and highlight individual responsibilities.
LEVEL
Intermediate to advanced
DESCRIPTION
the serving team practices the serve and volley tactic against the coach, who is positioned on the baseline as a returner. the server serves down the middle of the court and follows her serve in to the net. the coach feeds a variety of returns, and the serving team must decide immediately who is to play the volley or smash and where to play it. the server’s partner should be encouraged to intercept with a winning volley as much as possible. targets can be placed on the court to indicate where the first volley should be hit (e.g., down to the feet of the coach’s imaginary partner).
COACHING POINTS
the coach should vary the type of returns given as much as possible, combining low balls to the feet with high, floating balls hit down the middle and wide. the coach should also feed down the line if the server’s partner moves across too early in anticipation of a middle return. Including the lob down the middle and the lob over the server’s partner will fully test the players’ communication and organisation. the coach should encourage them to try the I formation and Australian formation when using this drill also. He or she should emphasise good communication, positive movement patterns, and clearly defined roles.
