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Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill sections are contained with all drills accompanied by detailed diagrams and instructions.

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Page 1: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke

Tennis Drills

This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice

sessions. Live ball and feeding drill sections are contained with all drills accompanied by

detailed diagrams and instructions.

Page 2: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

General Information

Title: Groundstroke Tennis Drills eBook

Author: David Horne and Rufus Keown at GlobalTennisCoaching.com

First Published: 2004

Revised and Updated Digital Edition (eBook): 2011

Composed and published with assistance of: www.eBookAuthorAcademy.com which is a division of

“eBooks International”

Copyright 2011 GlobalTennisCoaching.com. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of thepublisher.

Licence Notes

Please note this eBook you have purchased / downloaded is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBookmay not be re-sold or given away to other people. This eBook was written and published through the eBookCommunity at www.eBookAuthorAcademy.com. Thank you for respecting the rights and hard work of this author.

Disclaimer

Neither GlobalTennisCoaching.com nor the authors of this publication assume any liability for the informationcontained herein. GlobalTennisCoaching.com makes no warranty and assumes no liability for the use of this eBookand shall incur no liability for incomplete or missing information.

We do not assume any responsibility for any errors that are found in this eBook. Neither do we make anycommitment to readers to update the information contained within this book. The information in this eBook should notbe considered expert advice. The information in this eBook represents the views of the author only.

We have followed and taken all possible actions to ensure that we have not infringed on anyone’s copyrightedmaterial. If you believe that there has been a breach or similarity to your material then please contact us immediatelyand we will promptly address your concerns.

We shall not, along with any affiliates, partners, employees or subsidiaries, be held liable to any reader or user forany damages, whether incidental, indirect, special or consequential damages and including without limitation lostrevenue or money arising from or in the connection from the information found within this eBook.

All information was assumed correct at the time of writing. We do not guarantee the accuracy of all informationpresented in this eBook which is provided on an "as is" basis.

We do not have any control over the contents that are found on other websites listed. As a result we disclaim allresponsibility over the contents and information displayed on these websites. The contents on these websites aresubject to change at any time. It is recommended that this book be used as a guide only and that all readers shouldverify the enclosed information themselves. Use of any information obtained via this eBook is at the users own risk.

The contents of this eBook are fully protected by copyright law and those found to be infringing on this copyright willbe aggressively pursued.

Page 3: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Tennis Drills

Why are good drills so important? To quote from ancient Chinese philosophy…

“If (players) are unaccustomed to rigorous drilling, they will be worried and hesitant in battle

(matches).” (Sun Tzu, The Art of War). Practise how you want to play in a match!

Selecting and using the right drills in practice are the best way for a coach to get their

students ready for match play. The phrase “practise makes perfect” is particularly appropriate

for tennis players. Professional tennis players practise their strokes, patterns and strategies

until they can play a match on “auto pilot”, making the correct decisions and playing the right

shots at the right time.

Of course in a competitive match situation, the increased pressure and nerves will often affect

most players. By practicing the right moves, using challenging drills we can strive to train our

players to perform the same in matches and on the practice court.

This eBook does not seek to tell coaches how they should coach. There are different coaches

with different personalities and methods that all succeed in developing players and help

people enjoy tennis.

We have seen top state coaches on court “with out a racket”; many experienced coaches like

a basket of balls loaded with a hundred or more balls and then there are other top coaches

who will only take a dozen balls on court and demand their students rally consistently with

each ball. Some professional players have been known to conduct their sessions with one

ball only. I often watched Mats Wilander and Nystrom (two Swedish players) practise with

only one ball. All these methods have been successful and all are very different.

Page 4: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Types of Tennis Drills in This eBook

Live Ball Drills

Live Ball Drills can simply be described as drills “where the point is played out.”

A coach or player starts the drill by hitting a ball into the court and that ball is rallied between

all the players. The situation is a very “open” coaching environment, as the players will be

faced with unpredictable situations and will have to adapt appropriately. In this environment

players will face both tactical and technical issues and, although the coach may modify the

drill to work at a specific skill, it imitates match play. It is this realistic match environment that

makes “Live Ball Drills” effective.

Feeding Drills

Feeding Drills describe a drill where the coach feeds in a ball which is hit but no rally takes

place. This is a “closed” coaching environment where players may be working on a specific

stroke or pattern of strokes.

Feeding drills are usually very technical situations and the coach and player can specifically

work at correcting a stroke weakness or developing a new stroke or grip. Feeding drills may

be most effective in helping a player master a difficult skill, such as hitting a kick serve, a slice

backhand or a skill that they are experiencing trouble grasping.

Live Ball vs. Feeding Drills

It is important that a coach recognise the various benefits of both methods of drilling. Live ball

drills fit neatly in with the game based approach philosophy of teaching students technical and

tactical skills simultaneously. Players of all ages and abilities enjoy this “game” situation and

live ball drills can be adapted to work in any given situation.

There will be times when coaches may want to “close” the environment to work on a specific

stroke or skill and feeding drills may be more appropriate. In our experience feeding drills

may be used to give a player confidence and muscle memory when learning difficult concepts

such as:

Learning a slice backhand

Learning to hit a single handed backhand after learning with a two handed backhand

Learning to hit return of serves

A good coach will learn what type of drills will suit their students. It should be noted that once

a player has mastered a stroke during feeding drills the progression should be made to a live

ball drill to practise the skill under match conditions.

Page 5: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Scoring

Tennis is a scoring game. As players develop, their ability to handle the “score board

pressure” can be as important as technique and tactics. Consequently the drills you use in

training should keep score so players can practise playing under match type pressure.

There are various types of scoring systems that can be used to improve the structure of the

drill.

Examples of Scoring Systems You Can Use in Your Lessons:

1. Love – 15 – 30 – 40 – Deuce – Advantage - Game

Beginner players may benefit from simply learning the basic scoring system of the game of

tennis.

2. Play Sets Where the 1st to Score 7 / 11/ 21 Points Wins

Playing tie breaker rules or “fast tennis” rules can be effective when there is limited time to

play a full set. These modified scoring games also create pressure scoring situations more

often and train players to deal with “scoreboard pressure.”

3. Loaded Scoring

If a coach is working on a specific skill during a drill, then loading the points is an effective

way to train students to play the way you want them to.

Examples of Loading Points Include:

Encouraging students to go for their serves by awarding double points for an ace orunreturnable serve.

If a coach wishes to emphasize consistency and patience in a drill, a net error can bepenalised by forfeiting the set.

Double points can be awarded for volley and overhead winners in a drill thus encouragingplayers to attack the net.

There are countless ways to load the scoring system of your drill and make it a more

challenging exercise.

Page 6: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

4. Handicap Scoring

In private lessons or group lessons where players of different standards are competing,

coaches should create a handicap scoring scenario to ensure a competitive environment.

Some Methods of Handicap Scoring Include:

While playing a set of tennis, the player that wins the first game begins the next game at

0-15. If they win again then they will start the next game at 0-30.

A score, for example of 4 – 1, would result in the winning player starting at 0-40 in the

next game. If the scores are level 2 – 2 then the game would start at 0-0.

While playing tie breakers or points, the player that wins the first tie breaker starts the

next tie breaker handicapped by the amount they won by.

For example by winning the tie breaker 7 – 4 the next set begins at 0 – 3.

This method will help all players practise under “score board pressure”.

Class Size

Drills in this book can be modified to suit class sizes of between 1 – 6, with some team games

allowing more than 12 players. Class size can often be a case of scarcity – everybody would

like private lessons with the coach, however there is not enough money, tennis courts or

tennis coaches to support this. With organisation, good drills and well trained students, a

group session can be as challenging as an individual lesson.

A Note on Private Lessons

Is there great benefit in a 7 year old receiving private lessons??? Is there benefit if the coach

is rallying to the student “perfect” returns – with out spin, straight to the students, bouncing

around waist height??? A better scenario might be for the coach to match two students (or

more) of similar age and ability (a crucial coaching skill) together and then create drills or

activities to challenge them. This would create a far more realistic and “match like” training

situation.

Group Lessons

Group or squad training requires the coach to be a good manager. Students do not want

“dead spots” or long periods of inactivity in their work outs. This may be experienced when a

coach feeds to students one at a time, while others in the group wait for their turn. The coach

should plan the drills for their lesson based on the size of their class.

Page 7: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Ideas for Coaching Different Class Sizes Include (players: coach)

2 players: 1 coach Two evenly matched players on court with a coach is an ideal scenario

for practicing singles drills. The coach may choose to feed in to start the point or have the

players start the point. The coach can then walk around the court motivating, instructing and

encouraging the players where needed.

3: 1 At this ratio, drills can work on both singles and doubles with the coach filling in to make

the fourth doubles player. 2 on 1 drills with the coach feeding can work fitness and technique

training. Practise 1 on 1 drills by rotating players every 1 or 2 points.

Keep the rotations quick, even after each stroke, to keep the players energized. In a high

intensity workout this will give the third player some rest and recovery time.

4: 1 Doubles drills and fast moving singles drills are ideal for this ratio of players.

5: 1 Practise doubles drills. Give the fifth player who is waiting their turn a meaningful task to

do while rotating off during the drill. In a beginners class this may be teaching them to score

or call lines. You may consider a fitness exercise such as skipping or sit ups. The fifth

person may pick up balls while waiting, to make the drills run with out disruption. Make

rotations regularly to maintain the concentration and enthusiasm of the fifth player.

6: 1 Incorporate doubles drills at this ratio to ensure four players are on the court drilling at all

times. The two waiting players will rotate into the drill every few points. Pair up players so

rotations occur two at a time to ensure that all players are continuously participating in the

drill.

6+: 1 Once classes reach this size you will need to refer to the Team Games and Squad

Games section of this book. More than one tennis court may be required and perhaps an

assistant to the head coach will be required. A fast paced and well organised program will

need to be planned.

Coaches should involve as many players on court as possible in their drills. To achieve

maximum participation a class size of 2 – 4 would be ideal.

A Good Coach Can Still Create a Great Training Session With Over Four Players By:

Making quick and regular rotations

Utilising meaningful off - court activities

Asking the players who are off the court some tactical questions about the on-court play.

Page 8: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Key to Diagrams

Forehand

Backhand

Serve

Volley

Smash / Overhead

Running Shot

Ready Position / Waiting Player

Page 9: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Player’s Shot

Coach’s Feed

Player Movement

Markers / Cones

Lob / High Net Clearance

Page 10: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Tennis Drills

Groundstrokes describe the forehands and backhands played from the back of the court

where the ball has bounced.

In the modern game back-court play is the most predominant style of tennis so the

development of sound groundstrokes is very important.

Contributing to the Popularity of Baseline Tennis Has Been:

Improved racket technology.

More tournaments held on clay or hard court surfaces.

Less tournaments held on grass.

Improvements in technique, specifically grips and biomechanical advancements allowing

players greater power and control from the baseline.

An example of this is the progression of Australia’s top tennis players through different eras

moving from the serve and volley game to the back court game.

Serve & volley players such as John Newcombe, Pat Cash and Pat Rafter were Australia’s

number one players through the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s. Australia’s current number one

Lleyton Hewitt plays almost exclusively from the back court with consistent ground strokes,

fierce passing shots, aggressive lobs and tenacious movement.

The Drills Described in This Section Provide Some Key Themes:

Consistency: Hitting with good net clearance

Hitting with topspin

Hitting cross-court

Aggression: Taking the ball early

Developing a “Big” forehand

Driving the ball deep

Shot Selection: Playing the right shot at the right time

Balance between consistency and aggression

Movement: Being able to play shots on the run or off balance

Correct footwork patterns to ensure correct body positioning

Page 11: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Player Level:Intermediate – Advanced Players

Objective:

At any level, good players should be trained toavoid net errors, hitting for length into the backcourt. This drill is designed to emphasiseconsistency through net clearance.

Instruction:Player A challenges Player B in a baseline rallysituation. The ball is underhand fed in by either thecoach or players.

Scoring:

1st team to +5 wins the set.

2 sets win the match.

+1 point is scored from opposition errors &winners.

Any errors into the net result in a penalty –1 point scored for the offending team.

Details:2 – 4 players

This drill can be suited to a group lesson byrotating the players after each point or even aftereach shot to ensure maximum participation.

Groundstroke Drill 1:

+ 1 – 1 (plus 1 point – minus 1 point)

Page 12: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Drill #2

Clear the Net

Player Level:Intermediate – Advanced players.

Objective:Two of the core elements of consistent, percentagetennis are net clearance and topspin. This drillworks at these essentials by forcing players toexaggerate their net clearance and control theirdepth using topspin.

Instruction:

Set the court up using net extenders to doublethe height of the net.

Players are to rally out with any stroke playedunder the net extenders called an error.

Encourage high, topspin strokes.

Scoring:Play sets of 1st to 7 points

Details:2 – 4 players

This drill can be suited to a group lesson byrotating the players after each point or even aftereach shot to ensure maximum participation.

Net Extenders - Use a length of rope and tie eachend to the fence of the court. Pull tight to a heightaround twice the height of the net or net posts.

Clearing the net – Besides your opponent,the biggest obstacle you will face on thecourt is the net!

Page 13: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Drill #3

Forehand Cross Court Consistency

Player Level:Intermediate – Advanced Players

Objective:This baseline drill develops stroke consistency andbuilds defensive & offensive cross court patterns.

Instruction:

Place markers down to cut down court area.Players A & B play cross court.

Hit forehands only.

The manipulation of spin, speed, depth & angleare crucial to winning points in this limited courtarea.

The point starts with an underhand feed.

Scoring:

1st to 7 points wins the set

3 sets win the match.

Details:

2 – 4 players.

This drill can be suited to a group lesson byrotating the players after each point or even aftereach shot to ensure maximum participation.

Set marker cones 1.5 metres (approximately 2racket lengths) from the side line.

Progression:

Manipulate scoring to suit lesson plan. i.e.

Net error = immediate loss of set; or error in first 5

shots = immediate loss of set.

.

Page 14: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Drill #4

Backhand Cross Court Consistency

Player Level:

Intermediate – Advanced Players

Objective:This baseline drill develops stroke consistency andbuilds defensive & offensive cross court patterns.

Instruction:

Place markers as illustrated to cut down courtarea. Players A & B play cross court.

Hit backhands only.

The manipulation of spin, speed, depth andangle are crucial to winning points in thislimited court area.

The point starts with an underhand feed.

Scoring:

1st to 7 points wins the set

3 sets win the match.

Details:2 – 4 players.

This drill can be suited to a group lesson byrotating the players after each point or even aftereach shot to ensure maximum participation.

Set marker cones 1.5 metres (approximately 2racket lengths) from the side line.

Progression:

Manipulate scoring to suit lesson plan. i.e.

Net error = immediate loss of set; or

Error in first 5 shots = immediate loss of set.

Page 15: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Drill #5

“Inside – Out” Forehand Patterns

Player Level:

Intermediate – Advanced Players

Objective:This baseline drill is designed to develop strokeconsistency and build defensive & offensive crosscourt patterns.

Instruction:

Place markers as illustrated to cut down courtarea. Players A & B play cross court.

“Inside-out” forehands only.

The manipulation of spin, speed, depth andangle are crucial to winning points in thislimited court area.

The point starts with an underhand feed.

Scoring:

1st to 7 points wins the set

3 sets win the match.

Details:2 – 4 players

This drill can be suited to a group lesson byrotating the players after each point or even aftereach shot to ensure maximum participation.

Set marker cones 1.5 metres (approximately 2racket lengths) from the side line.

Page 16: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Scoring:1st to 7 wins the set, 3 sets win the match

Groundstroke Drill #6

“Big-Shot” Groundstroke Patterns

Player Level:

Intermediate – Advanced Players

Objective:To develop a “BIG SHOT” during an open- rallysituation. This leads to the player developing anaggressive baseline game style.

Instruction:

Place markers down parallel to the singles lineto act as the target zone.

Player A feeds in underhand and the point isplayed out in full court.

Player A scores double points for a winningbackhand down the line into the target area.

Player B scores double points for a winningforehand down the line into the target area.

Change feeders and sides at the end of a set,so that both players practise both winningshots.

Progression:Only winning shots in the target area and unforcederrors can score. Otherwise point is replayed.

Details:2 – 4 players

Set marker cones 1.5 metres from the side line(approximately 2 racket lengths).

Scoring:

1st to 7 points wins the set

3 sets win the matchB

A

Page 17: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Drill #7

Angle Groundstroke Patterns

Player Level:

Intermediate – Advanced Players

Objective:To develop and create angles to move youropponent out of court. Thus opening the court upfor the “BIG SHOT” practised in the previousexercise.

Instruction:

Place markers down parallel to the singles lineto act as the target zone.

Player A feeds in underhand and the point isplayed out in full court.

Player A scores a bonus point every time theycreate an angle and gets the ball into the targetzone from the backhand side.

The same rule applies for player B who canscore bonus points from the forehand side.

Change feeders and sides at the end of a set,so that players practise both shots and bothsides.

Progression:Double points awarded for winning shots.

Details:2 – 4 players

Marker cones required.Set marker cones 1.5 metres from the side line(approximately 2 racket lengths).

Scoring:1st to 11 points wins (2 or 3 bonus points may bescored every point)

3 sets win the match.

B

A

Page 18: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Drill #8

Half Court vs. Full Court

Player Level:Intermediate – Advanced Players

Objective:

In the modern game, players regularly use the “offforehand” to control the point.

This drill emphasises the off forehand, and helpsplayers practise the correct footwork and strokepatterns necessary.

Instruction:

Set up the court using markers as illustrated todivide the court into two equal halves down oneend.

Instruct player A to use the “off” or “inside-out”forehand to control the point.

Player A varies depth, angle, spin and speed tomove player B all over the court and set up awinning shot.

Player B must concentrate on movement to theball and recovery to correct position after eachshot.

Player B must hit all shots to one half of thecourt.

Scoring:7 – 11 points

Player B aims to get to 7Player A aims for 11 points.

After 1 set rotate sides to give both players anopportunity to develop their “inside-out” forehand.

Details:2 – 4 players

This drill can be suited to a group lesson byrotating the players after each point or even aftereach shot to ensure maximum participation.

A

B

Out of boundsarea forplayer B

Page 19: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Drill #9

Consistency Game

Player Level:Intermediate players

Objective:To encourage a “get the ball back at all costs”mentality to your students.

This great drill rewards the player who returnsevery ball.

Instruction:

Players set up on court with at least one playeron sidelines.

The coach or player starts the rally with anunderhand feed and players rally out.

The waiting player replaces the player whomakes an error, or, a winner is hit on their sideof the court.

This drill can be played in either a singles ordoubles format.

Progression:

Use net extenders. Players must hit over netextenders.

Only strokes landing beyond the service lineare in.

Play in a figure 8 pattern.

Details:3 – 6 players.

Scoring:Players score a point each time they are on thecourt.

First to score 15 or 21 points wins.

Players score a set if they are on court for 5 ralliesin a row – 1st to 3 sets.

WaitingPlayer

Page 20: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Drill #10

Depth Control

Player Level:Intermediate – Advanced Players

Objective:Maintaining good depth in a pressure rally situationis crucial. Improve depth of stroke in a variablerally situation.

Instruction:

Set up the court with a “depth zone” asillustrated.

The rally is started with an underhand feed(which does not score) and players aim to hittheir strokes into the “depth zone”.

The player who makes the error must feed in tostart the next point.

Scoring:

1 point is scored for every ball that lands in thedepth zone.

Players are penalised 3 points for a net error.Wide and long errors do not receive a pointpenalty; however, the player who makes theerror must feed in the next rally.

1st to 20 wins.

Details:2 – 4 players

This drill can be suited to a group lesson byrotating the players after each point or even aftereach shot to ensure maximum participation.

Depth Zone

Depth Zone

Page 21: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Drill #11

Drill: In to “Attack” – Back to “Defend”

Player Level:Intermediate – Advanced Players

Objective:Teach players to aggressively use their feet toeither get into a strong attacking position inside thebaseline; or defend behind the baseline.

Instruction:

Place markers between the baseline andservice line as reference points for the players.

Start the point with an underhand feed withplayers setting up on the baseline.

If the ball bounces inside the markers playersare to move in and “attack”- improving theplayers court position, opening up availableangles by contacting the ball closer to the netand shortening the time the opponent has toreact.

If the ball bounces behind the markers playersmove back and “defend”- giving them moretime to set up and play a difficult deep ball.

Emphasise a short back swing and “timing” theball when moving forwards; and a long swingand “looping” stroke when moving back.

Players should recover to the centre mark aftereach stroke.

To emphasise the movement and decisionmaking, players may call out “attack” or“defend” depending on where the ball bouncesfor each stroke.

Details:2 – 4 players

This drill can be suited to a group lesson byrotating the players after each point or even aftereach shot to ensure maximum participation.

Move in to Attack

Move Back to Defend

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Groundstroke Drill #12

Take the Ball Early and on the Rise

Player Level:Advanced Players

Objective:Teach players how to play aggressively from thebaseline by taking the ball early and therefore:

- Improving the players court position

- Opening up available angles by contacting theball closer to the net, and

- Shortening the time the opponent has to react.

Scoring:

The rally is played out with points beingawarded for errors and winners.

Players also lose the point if their feet“transgress” behind the baseline.

Details:2 – 4 players

This drill can be suited to a group lesson byrotating the players after each point or even aftereach shot to ensure maximum participation.

Instruction:

Start the point with an underhand feed.Instruct the players that they must stay insidethe baseline to hit all their strokes, alwaysmoving forwards to “take the ball early and onthe rise”.

Emphasise short back swing and “timing” theball.

This may be a difficult skill at first, but throughpractise, players will gain a very valuableweapon.

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4 – 6 players.Groundstroke Drill #13

Drill: 2 on 2 Training – Baseline Battle

Player Level:Beginners – Advanced players

Objective:Create a controlled rally situation where playerslearn to understand the ideal “rally speed” that theycan maintain.

Instruction:

The coach or player begins the point with anunderhand feed. The goal of the drill is tomaintain a rally at the highest ball speedpossible.

The coach should be constantly monitoring andcorrecting the tempo of the rally.

If there are too many errors then “slow down”.If the drill is not challenging enough for theplayers then pick-up the intensity.

This drill is effectively a “sparring” drill with theaim being not to win the point, but to create anintense rally situation.

The coach should keep the players bouncingon the balls of their feet in between strokes.

Progression:Progress to "directional control"

Details:4 – 6 players.

Scoring:Count the length of rallies.

Page 24: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Drill #14

2 on 2 Training – Direction Control

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced Players

Objective:Create a controlled rally situation where playerslearn to understand the ideal “rally speed” that theycan maintain.

Scoring:Count length of rallies

Details:4 players

Instruction:

4 players control a pattern of:down the line - cross court – down the line –cross court…a figure 8 pattern.

This drill is effectively a “sparring” drill with theaim not to win the point but to create an intenserally situation.

The coach should keep the players bouncingon the balls of their feet in between strokes.

Page 25: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Drill #15

1 on 1 Training – Direction Control

Player Level:Advanced Players

Objective:Create a controlled rally situation where playerslearn to understand the ideal “rally speed” that theycan maintain.

Scoring:Count length of rallies

Details:2 – 4 players.

Instruction:

2 players control a pattern of: down the line -cross court – down the line – cross court…afigure 8 pattern.

This drill is effectively a “sparring” drill with theaim not to win the point but create an intenserally situation.

Players will have to work extremely hard atrecovering after each stroke to ensure that theyget to the next ball with balance and ready toplace their next shot.

Hit Cross Court

Hit Down the Line

Player Movement

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Player Level:Advanced Players

Objective:2 on 1 is a great way to overload the trainingprogram and to get players working really hard onphysical fitness, while at the same time maintainingstroke technique.

Scoring:

Count the longest rally.

Details:3 – 4 players.

Instruction:

The coach or player will begin the rally with anunderhand feed.

Players A & B hit cross-court shots while playerC hits down the line as illustrated.

This is great physical training for player C whomust run the baseline to reach every shot.

Players A & B continue to control their strokes.

Ensure the rally is played at a high tempo androtate once player C loses technique throughexhaustion.

A B

C

When an opponent has a weaker side, often thebackhand, then you should exploit this deficiency.

Open up the court first and then attack their weakside.

Groundstroke Drill #16

2 on 1 Training – Down the Line to Cross Court

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Groundstroke Drill #17

2 on 1 Training – Baseline Battle

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced Players

Objective:2 on 1 is a great way to overload the trainingprogram and to get players working really hard onphysical fitness, while at the same time maintainingstroke technique.

Scoring:Rotate positions after the doubles team has won 3points in a row (indicating fatigue by the singlesplayer).

Make it a competition by timing how long thesingles player can last by themselves.

Details:3 – 4 players.

Instruction:

The player or coach starts a rally with anunderhand feed.

Play at a tempo that allows for long challengingrallies.

The doubles team should aim to vary theirstrokes.

The coach may like to set up the rally by givingthe singles player a challenging feed for thefirst shot.

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Groundstroke Drill #18

2 on 1 Training – Cross Court Challenge

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced Players

Objective:2 on 1 is a great way to overload the trainingprogram and to get players working really hard onphysical fitness, while at the same time maintainingstroke technique.

Scoring:

If player A does not successfully hit their shotcross court they lose 1 point.

Lose 5 points and rotate positions.

Make it a competition by timing how long thesingles player can last by themselves.

Details:3 – 4 players.

Instruction:

The player or coach starts a rally with anunderhand feed.

Player A must hit every ball cross court

Players B & C should aim to vary their strokesand can hit either down the line or cross courtto upset player A’s rhythm.

BC

A

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Groundstroke Drill #19

2 on 1 Training – Baseline to Net Battle

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced Players

Objective:2 on 1 is a great way to overload the trainingprogramme and to get players working really hardon physical fitness, while at the same timemaintaining stroke technique.

Scoring:Count the longest rally.

Details:3 – 4 players.

Instruction:

Two players set up at the net challenging oneplayer at the baseline as illustrated.

The player or coach starts a rally with anunderhand feed.

Instruct the net team to hit deep volleys but notto hit angled winners.

Play at a tempo that allows for long challengingrallies.

The baseline player will have to develop quickfootwork and racket work as their reaction timeis cut down by the volleying team.

Rotate once the singles player loses techniquethrough exhaustion.

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Groundstroke Drill #20

Home Base Drill

Player Level:Beginners – Advanced players

Objective:Improve playing shots on the move and emphasisethe importance of recovering back to the centre ofthe court after every shot in a singles match.

Instruction:

Players start a cross court forehand rally. Aftereach shot players must recover back to thecentre mark.

This drill is terrific for developing recovery andsimulates singles match play where recovery tocover the open court is a crucial skill.

Hitting good cross court shots on the run isalso a critical skill for consistent baseline playand is favoured by most professionals in themodern game.

Progression:Conduct drill to the backhand side

Details:2 – 4 players

Scoring:Count the longest rally.

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Groundstroke Drill #21

Random Ball

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced Players

Objective:Players need to learn to “read” and respond to theball. While many young players may not react tothe ball approaching them until it is over their sideof the net.

Studies have shown professional players react inthe first 1/3 of the flight of the ball.

Instruction:

The coach starts the rally with an underhandfeed.

During the rally the coach varies their strokeconsidering:

o Spin

o Speed

o Depth

o Height

o Direction

Play high topspin lobs, low slices, back spindrop shots, fast flat balls and place the ballsinto the corners.

Students hit all balls back to the coach.

Teach the student to quickly recognise and acton the type of stroke the coach is playing byasking them to not just watch the ball closely,but also the coach’s racket and body.

Details:1 – 4 players

This drill should be a very physically taxingexercise so allow players to rest while otherstudents participate.

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Groundstroke Drill #22

The 3 Gears (Pupil)

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced Players

Objective:Being able to build a point through consistency anddepth; and powerfully finishing off a point withaccurate and controlled hitting is practised in thisdrill.

Instruction:

Coach initiates a baseline rally instructing thestudent to hit:

10 balls consistently at a medium pace aimingfor safe net clearance and depth at around60% of hitting capacity.

8 balls at a hard pace, or 75% hitting capacity,lowering net clearance but still hitting wellinside the sideline.

6 balls at maximum hitting capacity, aiming justinside the lines for winners.

This helps encourage the student to build thepoint with consistent hitting and control theirput away shots and vary their pace andtherefore upset the hitting rhythm.

Coach returns manageable strokes to students,making the final 6 “put away” strokes short,higher bouncing returns.

Details:1 – 4 players.

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Groundstroke Drill #23

Drill: The 3 Gears (Coach)

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced Players

Objective:Teach the student how to play against differentstandard of players whilst playing in matches.

This includes training players to beat weakerplayers as well as those better than themselves.

Instruction:

The coach initiates a rally and hits 10 balls at aslow pace whilst the student focuses onmoving the coach around.

Coach then hits 8 balls at a medium pacewhilst the student focuses on hitting with depthputting the coach under pressure.

Coach then hits 6 hard balls teaching thestudent how to cope with power andencouraging them to retrieve as many balls aspossible to stay in the point.

Details:1 – 4 players.Playing stronger players is the time to never

give up. Make your opponent earn it. Go forevery ball and expect it to come back. Shotselection is the key to success!

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Groundstroke Drill #24

Backhand Slice to Forehand Drive Cross Court

Player Level:Advanced players

Objective:To work on both the forehand drive and slicebackhand in one drill.

This drill teaches each player how to hit a shotwhen there is spin on the ball.

Specifically, the forehand player must hit topspinoff a slice shot, and the player hitting the backhandmust learn to hit a slice off a ball coming at themwith topspin.

Instruction:

Each player will be hitting cross court to theirpartner.

One player will be designated to hit topspinforehands only, and their partner will be hittingthe backhand slice shot.

This is a consistency drill learning to hit variousspins. No outright winners!

Rally cross court for a set period of time andthen change roles with your partner.

If there are four players on the court, thenchange sides after 10 minutes.(Deuce court to advantage court)

Scoring:Count the total number of shots made in a row.Each team will keep their own score. The team withthe most shots correctly hit in a row wins.

Details:2 – 4 players

Encourage the players to work on their footwork.

Instruct each player how to hit a slice off a highbouncing ball and how to hit a topspin forehand offa low bouncing slice.

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Groundstroke Drill #25

Alternating Forehand to Backhand Down the Line Rally

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced players

Objective:This drill works on consistency, technique, andaccuracy hitting down the line to a partner.

It requires a lot of footwork as each player must getinto position to hit their designated shot.

Instruction:

Use half of the court as shown.

One player will hit forehands only and the otherplayer will hit backhands only.

Both players will hit either topspin or slicedepending on the best shot to hit.

This works on shot selection.

Both players will try to keep the rally going as itis also a consistency drill.

After a set period of time the players willchange roles and hit the opposite shot to whatthey were just working on.

Players are not trying to win the point.

Scoring:Count the total number of balls hit correctly in a row

Details:2 – 4 players

Good footwork is essential to get in the correctposition to hit each shot.

The more advanced players can work on the drillfor a longer period of time.

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Groundstroke Drill #26

Baseline Anticipation

Player Level:Beginners – Advanced players

Objective:Watch the professional players change the tempoof a rally, quickly moving from a neutral rallysituation to attack.

This drill challenges students to go for their shotsand “out position” their opponents.

Instruction:

Two players conduct a rally at a moderatepace, but emphasising quality hitting, good netclearance and depth.

After each shot the players must perform thesplit step, lowering their centre of gravityanticipating an aggressive shot to the corner byan opponent. The split step will help themchase the wide ball.

A coach or 3rd player on the sidelines will call“PLAY” after a random number of shots. Onthe “play” call the rally assumes match intensitywith players aiming to force errors by:

o hitting for the cornerso hitting a short angleo hitting an approach shot oro hitting a drop shot.

From the “play” call the aim is to win the point.

Hint: Call “play” after a weak or short ball, this forces

the players to rally with intensity.

Call “play” early, just after one player has hitthe ball, this allows the player hitting the forcingball time to set up.

Aim to give both competitors equal opportunityto play the 1st forcing shot.

Remind players that errors will occur whenforcing the play, encourage them, and if theymake errors, “make them on your terms.”

Scoring:Point doesn’t start until “play” called.1st to 11 points wins

Stage 2 – Go for the corners

Stage 1 – Rally with intensity

“PLAY”

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Groundstroke Feeding Drills

Feeding drills can be very useful when developing a new stroke or grip that is difficult to master.

Difficult Concepts Such As:

Learning a slice backhand

Learning to hit a single handed backhand after learning with a two handed backhand (or vice versa)

Learning to hit return of serves

Learning to develop a “Big” forehand

Feeding drills can be accurately described as a “closed” coaching environment and coaches can use this

environment to develop technical weaknesses. By developing confidence in stroke and muscle memory;

players may then effectively transfer newly acquired skills into match situations.

Ball machines may be effective tools in working at feeding drills, allowing the coach to analyse at close

range, or even video tape player technique.

It should be noted that feeding drills have limitations. During feeding drills there is usually no scope to

develop tactics and it therefore does not simulate match play. The coach’s feeds are usually ideally

placed for the player, which also doesn’t reflect the demands of a match. It is recommended that feeding

drills are not used for preparing a player for competition or tournament play because they don’t replicate

the types of tactical and physical stress’s associated with match play.

Private training in pre-season or early in the preparation phase is a better time to use feeding drills.

Always make sure that you have a large basket of balls to allow for the repetition which develops

confidence and muscle memory. Using feeding drills in squads isn’t encouraged as it creates too much

“dead” time in picking up balls and waiting as only one or two players can be involved at a time.

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #1

Groundstroke Accuracy From One Side

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced players.

Objective:Work on the accuracy of your forehand andbackhand groundstrokes.

Details:Encourage using proper technique while workingon accuracy.

This drill can be performed having the playershitting these strokes with either topspin or slice(backhands).

Set up cones for the more advanced players sothat they have a more specific target to aim for.

Feed each player ten balls before rotating with thenext player in line. This number can varydepending on balls available and the number ofplayers involved in the drill.

Instruction:

The coach will feed from the centre of the court atthe baseline. From here, the coach will alternatefeeding to both players.

Drill 1:Instruct the players to hit all groundstroke crosscourt.

Drill 2:Instruct the players to now hit down the line.

Drill 3:Instruct the players to alternate hitting one shotcross-court to one shot down the line.

Drill 4:Players can hit to either side of their choice.

Drill 1

Drill 2

Drill 3

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #2

Depth Control

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced players.

Objective:Depth of stroke is a crucial ingredient for thedeveloping tennis player. This drill tries to teach theplayers to hit deep into the court.

Details:1 – 4 players

Marker cones are required to divide zones.

Instruction:

Set up the court into zones as illustrated,rewarding players for hitting the ball as deepinto the court as possible.

Errors into the net are penalised (- 3 points)

The coach feeds an easy paced ball whileinstructing the player to aim high over the net.

Finish with a long follow through and controlthe ball with top spin.

Once the player has mastered hitting the balldeep, the coach should begin feeding in morechallenging shots to the backhand andforehand.

Scoring:Challenge the player to reach a certain score (50 or100) in a set amount of balls or in a designatedtime period.

Progression:In a group situation, make two teams and thecoach alternate feeding to Team A and B.

First team to reach 50 wins.

5 point zone

3 point zone

1 point zone

- 3 point zone

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #3

Cross Court Topspin Forehand / Slice Backhand Down the Line

Player Level:AdvancedSuitable for private lessons

Objective:Upsetting an opponent’s rhythm by changing thedirection, spin, speed and trajectory of your shot isan important tactical weapon.

Use this drill to practise the variation in your shots.

Details:

This drill works on grip change from forehand tobackhand, accuracy, depth, angles, and alternatingtopspin and slice.

The number of balls fed will depend on the players’skill and fitness level.

Ideally you will want to feed 20 - 30 balls, rest for30 seconds while giving the player some feedbackand advice.

Then repeat while focusing on our goal ofconsistency and stroke development.

Maintain a high level of quality and feed in deepconsistent balls to the player.

Instruction:

Have the player stand in their backhand cornerat the baseline.

From this position they will alternate betweenhitting an inside-out forehand cross-court and aslice backhand down the line.

This drill involves alternating between anaggressive topspin forehand and a slicebackhand with the emphasis on consistencyand accuracy.

Encourage the player to work on the correctfootwork in getting around into position to hitthat inside out forehand and then follow up withan accurate slice backhand straight down theline.

Feed 1

Feed 2

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #4

Inside - Out Forehands Only

Player Level:AdvancedSuitable for private lessons

Objective:The goal of this drill is to help develop the forehandinto a weapon.

This drill is also trying to teach the player shotselection by being patient, yet aggressive, whenhitting inside-out forehands from behind thebaseline.

Consistency is the goal along with developing thenecessary footwork to hit inside-out forehands.

Without the proper footwork the player will not beable to successfully complete this drill.

Details:

For advanced competitive players it is important todevelop a “Big Shot”!

For most players a big forehand and serve isrequired to compete at the highest levels.

Teaching the player when to go for it and when tohold back is the key to any good game plan.Encourage consistency, correct footwork, andproper technique when performing this drill.

Feed 15 - 20 balls, rest, evaluate, instruct andrepeat as many times as long as the quality of boththe shot and footwork remains high.

Instruction:

Have the player stand in their backhand cornerat the baseline.

Set up a series of targets as shown in thediagram. This will help the player to aim for thedesired position.

The player will hit all forehands by steppingaround and hitting the shot aiming at thetargets.

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #5

Opening Up the Court with Angles From the Middle of the Court

Player Level:Intermediate – Advanced Players

Objective:

This drill involves trying to open up the court fromthe first shot and requires accuracy in hitting anangle from the centre of the court.

Andre Agassi is the best player at doing this. Hewill hit a short topspin angle wide opening up thecourt for a down the line shot or wrong footing theplayer by going behind them back cross court.

Details:The coach can change the shot being worked onby changing the players’ position; or the coach’sposition on court.

Instruction:

Many times it is the player to control the rally fromthe first shot who wins the point.

Often after hitting the serve, while positioned in thecentre of the court, the player must be able to hitaccurately to one of the corners and away fromtheir opponent.

The player will position themselves just behind thebaseline in the centre.

Alternate feeding balls to their forehand andbackhand.

Variation 1:Have the player hit their shots cross court.

Variation 2:Have the player hit down the line.

Variation 3:Hit two shots cross court and the next two downthe line. Alternate with two each side.

Variation 4:Hit to either corner with no set pattern.

Variation 1

Variation 2

Variation 3

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #6

Inside - Out Forehands Moving Across the Baseline

Player Level:Intermediate – Advanced Players

Objective:Develop the forehand into a weapon, develop theinside-out forehand, work on correct footwork,accuracy and consistency in making every shot.

Details:

This is one of the best drills for working on theforehand once the correct grips and techniquehave been developed.

Feed consistent mid-court balls and remember thatour goal is accuracy and aggressiveness togetherwith consistency from behind the baseline.

Rest when the quality of shot execution,consistency and accuracy diminishes.

Andre Agassi practised this drill for hours on end todevelop his inside-out forehand.

Instruction:

The player will start at the baseline in theirbackhand corner.

From here the coach will feed three balls as theplayer moves across the baseline hittingconsistent forehands to a designated area onthe court.

Once the player has hit three forehands and isnow positioned on the other side of thebaseline, they will return back to the startingposition by hitting three inside-out forehandscross court.

This six ball drill involves three forehands hit toanywhere in the singles court followed by threeinside-out cross court forehands.

Feed 1, 2, and 3. Running forehands

Feed 4, 5, and 6. Inside – out forehands

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #7

Windshield Wiper Target Hitting

Player Level:All levelsInclude more variations of the drill as the skill of theplayer increases.

Objective:Develop both backhand and forehand movementand skill level.

Details:Feed consistent deep balls side to side.

Aim for 20 balls, rest for 30 seconds, instruct andset the next goal of where to hit the ball.

Run through all variations for advanced players.

Instruction:The player will start in the centre of the court at thebaseline.

They will move side to side hitting both forehandsand backhands with a specific goal in mind.

Variation 1:Hit all shots cross court.

Variation 2:Hit all shots down the line.

Variation 3:Work on depth.

Variation 4:Work on hitting angles.

Variation 5:Alternate between cross court and down the line.

Variation 6:Alternate between topspin and slice shots.

Variation 7:Focus on consistency by setting a goal of 20 shotsin a row to be made.

Variation 8:Target hitting.

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #8

Running Forehands

Player Level:Intermediate - AdvancedAdvanced players must hit with topspin and moreaccuracy.

Objective:Develop running forehands incorporating speed,footwork and shot accuracy while off balance.

Details:This drill requires some accurate feeding.

As the player improves on their speed and footworkyou can increase the difficulty of the feeds byhitting with more pace, spin or angle.

Instruction:

As illustrated in the diagram, the player willstart at the cone just to the side of the centremark at the baseline.

As the coach feeds the ball, the player musttake off from a set position and chase the balldown.

To cut off the angle, teach the player to moveacross and forward to get to the ball.

This is a drill for the more advanced players asit requires a lot of speed, good footwork, atopspin forehand and the ability to accuratelyhit an angle back cross court or down the line.

Variation 1:Hit a running topspin forehand back cross-court.

Variation 2:Hit a running topspin forehand down the line.

Variation 3:Alternate one forehand cross court, and the nextone down the line.

1

2

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #9

“Big Forehand”

Player Level:Advanced

Objective:This is one of those drills with a very specific goalin mind. Developing a big forehand put away shotand learning to “let it rip”!

Details:Watch how Agassi, Roddick, Hewitt and Federerstep around to hit those short forehands cross-court and you will see why this drill is important tothe advanced players at the competitive level.

Instruction:

As the name suggests this drill is designed withone goal in mind, and that is developing theforehand into a “Big Shot”!

I learned this drill from several of my Germanfriends who grew up with this drill as juniorsinfluenced by the big forehands of Boris Beckerand Steffi Graf.

The player will position themself mid-court andwill just give it all they have as they steparound and hit their forehand into the court.

The coach will set up targets cross court anddown the line. The coach will need to hit shorthigh bouncing feeds.

Allow sufficient time in between each feed forthe player to recover and return back to theirstarting mid court position.

Instruct the player that the goal is notconsistency so much, but just getting the feelfor what it is like to step around and hit that bigforehand.

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #10

Forehand and Backhand Drop Shots

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced players

Objective:Learn to develop that “touch” or “soft hands”! Allow the racket to become an extension of your arm and learnto have the touch to mix drop shots in with your power shots.Mastering drop shots is a definite must if playing on clay courts.

Details:Intermediate - Advanced

Instruction:

Developing specific skill shots such as a drop shot are important in adding more shots to your repertoire.

The drop shot is a lower percentage shot but is a definite must for all advanced competitive players.

If you can open up the court or pin your opponent back deep, then having a drop shot will give youanother shot to work with.

As you move further away from the net towards the baseline, the risk is increased in making a successfuldrop shot.

Have the player start up close to the net inside of the service line and hit their first round of drop shotsfrom this position.

As their skill level and touch improves then you can slowly move them back.

Teach the player to use the correct grip, hitting a soft touch drop shot.

A good drop shot should bounce at least twice before the service line. Any ball bouncing over the serviceline on one bounce will give their opponent a chance of getting to the ball.

Teach your students to come underneath the ball and “caress” it.

Variations:

Variation 1: Have the player try to hit drop shots into a bucket.

Variation 2: Hit the drop shot cross court.

Variation 3: Hit the drop shot down the line.

Variation 4: Hit the drop shot from a set position.

Variation 5: Have the player start from the baseline. Feed a drop shot and have the player execute a dropshot in reply. This is a great tactical time to use a drop shot.

Variation 6: If you have multiple players, have one player stand behind the baseline. Their role is to try andretrieve the drop shot once it is hit. After one player has hit several shots then switch roles. The player tryingto get to the ball is working on speed.

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #11

Forehand and Backhand Lobs

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced players

Objective:The lob is a shot that requires specifically practising the shot. You cannot develop a great lob by just hittinggroundstrokes. You must set a specific goal as in the variations outlined below and work on that shot untilyou have mastered it. Use this drill to add an effective lob to your arsenal.

Details:A player without an effective lob will always have a weakness in their game so it is up to you, the coach, toteach players how to hit the lob.

Start off slowly with easy feeds and then progress with spins, placement and running lobs.

Instruction:

From the baseline, feed to one or two players.

Each player will work on improving or developing an effective lob.

Start off by feeding easy higher bouncing balls assisting the player in learning to get a feel for the ball. As

they improve then you can feed more difficult balls.

Include all variations as described below in learning how to hit the lob.

Variations:

Variation 1: High defensive lob.

Variation 2: Heavy topspin lob.

Variation 3: Accuracy hitting the lob cross court or down the line.

Variation 4: Hitting the lob on the run.

Variation 5: Hitting the lob off a flat or spinning ball.

Variation 6: Alternating between forehand and backhand lobs.

Variation 7: Alternating between offensive and defensive lobs.

Variation 8: Hitting lobs from a player hitting an overhead at you.

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #12

Alternating Forehand and Backhand Shots

Player Level:Advanced

Objective:To be able to hit every forehand and backhandshot in the game, thus allowing you to be the“complete player”!

Details:Once you have covered all of these shotsindividually you can incorporate them all into onedrill.

This drill will help the player to switch from a powershot, to a touch shot, topspin to slice, cross court todown the line and working on the change of grips.

You can make it even more difficult by setting goalswith the number of shots to be made or number oftargets to be hit.

Instruction:Start with either forehands or backhands and workon that one shot before changing.

Alternate Between Hitting the Following Shots:

1. Forehand cross court

2. Forehand down the line

3. Forehand topspin lob

4. Forehand defensive lob

5. Forehand drop shot

6. Forehand “Big shot”

7. Forehand approach shot

Once you have completed several rounds on theforehand side then repeat with the backhand.

This drill will show up any weaknesses and allowyou to work on specific shots in the future.

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #13

Slice Backhands

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced players

Objective:The slice backhand is an important weapon for all players to develop.

Slice backhands can be used as effective low bouncing approach shots on fast courts. It is a difficult ball toread on a slow clay court and a great shot to throw in to upset your opponents’ rhythm during topspin rallies.

Details:Once the correct grip and technique has been established, then you can have the player work on hitting theslice backhand to a designated part of the court (eg. down the line or cross court).

Instruction:

After teaching your players how to hit their backhand drive, you will want to progress to the one-handedbackhand slice. Whether you have a one-handed or two-handed backhand drive, you must also develop astrong one handed slice otherwise you will struggle when reaching the higher levels of play.

Teach the appropriate grip, swing, footwork and technique in hitting the shot.

Instruct the player on the purpose of the slice backhand, how to use it and why they need to develop aslice backhand along with their topspin drive backhand.

Have the player start inside the baseline and feed slowly until they develop the strength required to hitthe shot.

Be aware of the extra strength required as it may be too hard or advanced for some players.

This manual is specifically drill related so we will leave the shot instruction up to you.

Have the player then move back to the baseline and hit slice backhands either cross court or down theline.

Variations:

1. Slice backhand down the line

2. Slice backhand cross court

3. Alternate between down the line and cross court

4. Work on the slice approach shot

5. Add the slice drop shot

6. Add the slice chip and charge return

7. Slice off a high bouncing ball

8. Slice off a low fed ball

9. Slice off a topspin feed

10. Slice off another slice backhand.

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Groundstroke Feeding Drill #14

Suicide Ground Stroke Drill (50 ball)

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced playersFeed more difficult balls to the advanced players.

Objective:This drill works on all groundstrokes and also on endurance while trying to maintain proper technique as theplayer becomes fatigued. It will test the mental strength and determination of each player.

Details:This is a fun and character building drill that should be included into your session every now and then.

Perform a proper warm-up of all shots prior to completing this drill.

Once the drill is over the player should be totally spent of all energy.Encourage them to walk around the court and not to just lie down on the court.

This drill develops toughness in your players.

Instruction:

The player will start in the centre at the baseline.

The coach will then feed 50 balls all over the court making the player run sideways, forwards andbackwards, and incorporating multi-directional changes.

The player must get to every ball on the first bounce even if they are just trying to get the ball back inplay.

You will be able to feed more difficult balls to the players in better shape and those willing to give it theirall.

This is definitely a “character” building drill and will show you the competitiveness and drive of eachindividual player.

Encourage the player through out the entire drill.

Page 52: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Feeding Drill #15

Working on Two Shots in the Same Drill with Multiple Players

Player Level:Intermediate – Advanced Players

Objective:Work on different strokes with each player whilefeeding to both simultaneously.

Details:Instead of having both players work on the sameshot at the same time, they can work on two similaror totally different shots.

Players will complete one shot and then switch withtheir partner and work on the other shot.

Instruction: This drill starts with both players at the

baseline, one in the deuce court and the otheron the advantage side.

Designate a certain shot to be worked on foreach player (see variations below).

After feeding 20 balls to each player, havethem switch sides and practise the other shotthat was designated for that side.

Feed consistent balls appropriate for thatparticular shot being worked on.

Variations:(1) Player 1: Topspin forehands

Player 2: Slice backhands

(2) Player 1: Forehands down the linePlayer 2: Backhands cross court

(3) Player 1: Forehand lobsPlayer 2: Backhand lobs

(4) Player 1: Forehand drop shotsPlayer 2: Backhand topspin angles

(5) Player 1: Forehand defensive shot deepPlayer 2: Inside-out forehands from the

backhand side.

(6) Player 1: Forehand approach shotPlayer 2: Backhand approach shot

(7) Player 1: Forehand target hittingPlayer 2: Backhand alternating between

topspin and slice.

Forehand topspin & slice backhand

Forehands down the line & backhands cross-court

Forehand drop shots & backhand topspin angles

Page 53: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Feeding Drill #16

Bowtie Drill

Player Level:Intermediate – Advanced players

Objective:Work on court movement, both forwards andbackwards.

It also teaches the player to hit on the move and torecover quickly after each shot.

Details:This is a good drill for one player performingmultiple repetitions or feeding to one player at atime in a group.

Adjust the pace and depth of your feeds dependingon the skill level and speed of each player.

Adjust direction of feeds for left-handed players

Instruction:

If you can picture the shape of a bowtie in yourmind, then you can picture the movementpatterns of this drill.

This bowtie drill involves a lot of courtmovement and hitting both backhands andforehands.

The coach will stand just inside the service lineand feed the four (or more) balls from thisposition.

Feed the four balls in this pattern with theplayer starting at the baseline on the centremark.

1. Deep ball to forehand

2. Short ball to forehand

3. Deep ball to backhand

4. Short ball to backhand

5. Repeat pattern to same player or feed to thenext player in line.

Player movement

Feeds

1 3

42

Page 54: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Feeding Drill #17

Drop Shot and Lob Drill

Player Level:Intermediate – Advanced players

Objective:Learn to go from a touch drop-shot to a heavytopspin offensive lob for a winner.

Details:

A good goal for a successful drop shot is if the ballcan bounce twice before it reaches the service line.

The topspin lob must clear the coach who willreach up high towards the sky with their racketafter feeding the ball.

1. Feed to the forehand side first.

2. Then feed to the backhand side.

3. Alternate between forehand and backhands.

4. Feed to either side with no set pattern.

Instruction:

This drill involves alternating from hitting a dropshot (bringing opponent to the net) and thenfollowing up with an offensive lob (winning shotafter bringing opponent in).

Proper technique on both the drop shot andtopspin lob must have already beingestablished.

Set up targets within the service box for wherethe drop shot should land and also targetsdeep into the court for where the lob shouldland.

A player must be able to construct a pointthrough many ways and this is one tactic thatthey should be competent in executing.

Scoring:Once the drill has been performed successfullyseveral times, start a scoring system.3 points for every successful shot made in thetarget area and 1 point lost for every unsuccessfulshot.

Score to 20 points

Lobs are an effective way to help get youropponent back off the net and prevent them fromclosing in for a put-away volley.

Learn to hit both aggressive topspin and highdefensive lobs.

Page 55: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Feeding Drill #18

Score “25”

Player Level:Advanced players

Objective:This is a great skill drill that involves both accuracyand consistency with scoring included to add that“match like” pressure of reaching a goal throughscoring.

Details:For some players this drill will be straight forward as theyimprove on their skill so move them around by makingthe feeds more challenging.

Have the other players pick up the balls while they waitfor their turn and then change upon completion of thedrill.

All shots must be hit with proper technique and speed.Do not allow the player to just float balls back over thenet.

Instruction: This is a groundstroke skill drill designed to

focus on depth, consistency and accuracy offboth sides.

The coach will feed to either the forehand orthe backhand side with no set pattern.

Scoring:Continually feed until the player either reaches + 25points or -10 points.

If they reach -10 points first, then they must run 5suicide sprints (see fitness drills book)

The player must try to get to + 25 points by one ofthe following ways:

Ways to Earn a Point:

1. Hit deep in zone 1 and score 1 point

2. Hit a target and score 3 points

3. Hit 10 balls in a row and get bonus of 2 points

Ways to Lose Points:

1. Make an error and lose one point

2. Hit ball in zone 2 and lose 1 point

3. Miss 3 in a row and lose 2 points

Zone 2Lose 1 point

Hit a target.Score 3 points

Zone 1Score 1 point

Page 56: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Feeding Drill #19

4 Ball Passing Drill

Player Level:Intermediate – Advanced players

Objective:Many players believe that they will just develop agood passing shot if they have goodgroundstrokes.

This drill will help to develop a player’s confidencewhen faced with an aggressive net rushing player.

Details:This drill takes time to master and should be includedinto any program for advanced players.

Instruction:

One shot that is not practised enough is thepassing shot.

The player will start at the baseline in themiddle.

The coach will feed 4 balls from just inside theservice line in the centre.

Alternate your feeds from forehand tobackhand.

Once the player has hit passing shots withsome consistency then you can play the lastball (fourth ball) out.

As the coach, you will try to read their passingshot and continue the point encouraging furtherpassing shots.

Variations:

1. Have the player hit all passing shots downthe line.

2. Have the player hit all passing shots cross-court.

3. Alternate from cross court to down the linepassing shots.

4. Mix up shots - no set pattern.

5. Play out the last ball.

6. Play out the last ball and score to 11.

Hit down the line

Hit cross-court

Coach’s Feeds

Page 57: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Feeding Drill #20

Running Forehand or Backhand, Touch the Cone, and Return to Home

Player Level:Intermediate – Advanced players

Objective:This drills works on running groundstrokes andcourt movement. Encourage the agility and speedcomponents while hitting with correct techniqueand shot execution.

Details:If you have more than two players, feed 10 balls toeach player and then have them pick up while thenext two players complete the drill.

If the player is getting to the ball quite easily, thenfeed wider or earlier prior to the returning to thehome base cone A.

Instruction:

This drill combines hitting a ball on the run,then sprinting forward to touch the cone withyour racket, back peddle to the home basecone and then take off for another runningforehand or backhand.

This drill combines multi-directional changesand recovery.

The coach will feed from the service linealternating between the two players.

The players will start at the baseline with theirracket touching the cone.

Summary:

1. Start at home base cone (A).

2. Take off and hit a running forehand orbackhand.

3. Then sprint forward to cone (B) touching withracket.

4. Back peddle to the home base cone (A).

5. Touch cone (A) and repeat drill.

B

A

B

Page 58: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Feeding Drill #21

3 Ball Baseline to Net Movement (Defence to Offence)

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced players

Objective:Shot selection going from defensive to offensive.Work on footwork and court movement.

Details:The coach needs to feed from behind the baseline in the directly opposite corner.

Allow the player to really go for their third and final put away shot.

Set up targets if necessary and introduce a scoring system giving points for each target hit or accuratelyexecuting each shot.

Instruction:This is a good drill if you have a group of players and want to keep them moving constantly.

All players will start in a single line at the base line from either the deuce side (A) or the advantage side (B).

Feeding Pattern:

(1) Deep ball to corner (defensive shot).

(2) Short approach ball landing mid court (approach shot).

(3) Short high ball bouncing inside the service box (put away shot).

Once the player has hit all 3 balls they will jog back to the end of the line while the next player has their turn.

Instruct each player on what shot you want them to hit off each ball as they move towards the net.

Repeat several times from the deuce side of the court and then start on the advantage side.

Page 59: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Feeding Drill #22

Take the Ball Early and On the Rise

Player Level:Intermediate players

Objective:Teach players how to play aggressively from thebaseline by taking the ball early and therefore:

Improving players court position.

Opening up available angles by contacting theball closer to the net

Shortening the time the opponent has to react.

Details:1 – 4 players

Marker cones required

Instruction:

Set up the court as illustrated.

Coach feeds in a variety of balls challengingthe player to always move forwards to meet theball.

Players must remain in front of the markers forall shots.

Include some high bouncing balls so playersget the feeling of taking the ball on the rise atchest or shoulder height.

Progression:Set up targets so players can practise generatingsharper angles.

Progress to “take the ball early and on the rise” liveball drill.

B

Page 60: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Feeding Drill #23

Home Base Drill

Player Level:Intermediate players

Objective:Improve playing shots on the move and emphasisethe importance of recovering back to the centre ofthe court after every shot in a singles match.

Details:2 – 4 players

Instruction:

Two players start standing together on thecentre mark.

Coach begins by feeding in a running forehandto Player A.

After playing their shot player A recovers backto the centre mark and coach feeds in arunning backhand to Player B who plays theirshot and recovers.

Feed in 5 - 6 balls

Progression:Progress to the home base live ball drill

A B

Page 61: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Feeding Drill #24

5 Anywhere

Player Level:Beginner – Intermediate players

Objective:Generally speaking tennis players have to contendwith 5 different types of shots based on:

Direction

Speed

Height

Depth

Spin

For young players who are learning the game thisis quite a challenge to understand all thesevariables.

This drill will teach them to “read” the tennis balland adjust to the type of shot they are receiving.

Details:1 – 4 players

Instruction:Coach feeds in 5 shots to the player mixing up thepattern of strokes.

Coach Should Consider:

forehand or back hand

deep ball or drop shot

straight at the body or wide to the side line

high ball or low ball

topspin / backspin / side spin

fast or moderate speed

Challenge the players as many different ways

as possible.

Begin the drill by calling out the type of shot

you will hit to help beginners identify what each

shot looks like.

Progress by asking the players to “read” the

type of shot they are receiving by watching the

ball straight off the coach’s racket.

Page 62: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Feeding Drill #25

The 3 Gears

Player Level:Intermediate - Advanced players

Objective:Once a player has grasped the technical aspects of tennis, they must still “play the right shot at the right time.”Improve shot selection in this controlled feeding drill.

Instruction:Coach feeds in two fast, deep, wide shots; two moderate mid court shots; and two short, high, soft shots.Alternate feeds between forehand & backhand. Players are to play the “right shot at the right time”considering the time to defend & neutralise; build & attack the point through placement & depth: and kill andput away the ball.

Feed 1The coach feeds deep and wide to theforehand. The player retrieves the balland the hits over the net with plenty ofmargin for error.

Feed 2The coach feeds deep and wide to thebackhand. The player retrieves the balland the hits over the net with plenty ofmargin for error.

Page 63: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

Groundstroke Feeding Drill #25

The 3 Gears

Feed 4 - Coach feeds moderatepaced ball to the mid court. Playerto attack into corner to force aweak return.

Feed 6 – Coach feeds a high,slow lob. Player smashes for awinner.

Feed 3 – Coach feeds moderate pacedball to the mid court. Player to attackinto corner and force a weak return.

Feed 5 – Coach feeds easy ball intoforecourt. Player steps and takes avolley, angling it for a winner.

Page 64: Groundstroke Tennis Drills...Groundstroke Tennis Drills This Tennis eBook contains ground stroke drills for you to use in your lessons or practice sessions. Live ball and feeding drill

About Global Tennis Coaching

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one’s full potential as a coach should be a main goal for everyone.

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GTC’s team of coaches, exercise physiologists, sports psychologists, consultants and former

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