Tennis Coaching

Chip and Charge

This series teaches players how to attack the net and create pressure for opponents.

#1 serves to #2’s backhand side, and #2 tries to chip (slice) the return to the corner.

As #1 moves to the ball, #2 races to the net to gain the best possible court position (close to the net and balanced) Now #1 has lots of pressure to product a great shot or lose the point. After 5 minutes, switch roles and continue.

When on the “ad” side, #2 will chip down the line to #1’s forehand and move in. By not going crosscourt, #2 is able to move straight in and avoids opening the court.

Improving the Net Player

This drill develops reflexes and anticipation of the net person. The net player must be moving weight forward as the ball is hit.

#1 serves a 3/4 speed ball to #3 and moves forward. #3 must return this ball at #2 and try to make it solid and consistent.

#2 must be moving slightly forward to hit #3’s return of service. There is a degree of timing from when the serve is hit as to when #2 should move forward. Practice with the intent of discovering when to move. #2 must now try to hit the target.

After eight to ten hits, rotate the players as shown above. When all players have served, volleyed and returned, have them change to the add side and repeat the drill.

3 Easy Drills to Provide Variety for Practices

Ball in a Sock

#1 takes a sock with a ball in it and goes through the exact service motion she normally uses. The player is required to throw the sock across the net into the service box which is shaded. #1 then goes to the back of the line. #4 throws the ball back using her service motion. The first team to miss the service box five times loses.

Conserving Water

This game is great for two teams of beginners. Both teams have a small paper cup full of water. Each player must hit two forehands from the water and then hand off the cup spilling as little as possible. After each player has hit, the team with the most water left in the cup wins. The other team picks up all the balls.

Around The World

Establish a series of 7 stations around the court and have the players hit from each one successfully before advancing to the next one. If a player misses a shot, he can “chance it.” But if the chance fails, he is required to start over. If the player does not take the chance, he may stay at the station until the next turn. The winner successfully goes from stations 1-7 and returns 7-1.

Backhand Slice Approaches

This drill will help you improve technique on slicing and coming to the net. The drill is predictable, so the approach must be good!

#2 hits the ball to #1 who must return the ball down the middle. #2 tries to hit a short ball to #1’s backhand.

#1 must see this or anticipate this short ball and immediately begin to move forward towards the net. The ball may be hit in either direction - down the line or crosscourt - but must be hit with slice. The Instructor should emphasize that the down the line approach is better because it does not open the court for #2 to hit a passing shot. The crosscourt shot should be used for variety.

#2 now tries to pass #1 with a crosscourt short angle, a down the line shot, or a topspin lob. The point is played out. After 10 minutes, the players switch roles.

Lobs on the Defense

This drill develops touch and feel for how to lob when moving backwards on the court.

This drill works well in a group setting, but can be adapted for any number of players.

Players begin in the middle of the court, two steps inside the baseline. The Instructor (I) will feed balls deep to either corner as diagramed above.

#1 must retreat and attempt to throw up a lob over the Instructor (I). Emphasis should be placed on going crosscourt whenever the player is really stretched out. When the player has more time, the lob can be strategically placed over the backhand side. While #1 is going to lob the first ball, I feeds #2 in the other corner. Both players return to the back of the line after hitting the lob.

Offensive Lob & Follow-Up

This drill reinforces the idea that when a player hits a good lob or even just a very deep ball that backs up their opponent, he or she must take the offense.

I (Instructor) feeds the ball to #1 who will attempt to lob the ball (preferably with top spin) over the Instructor’s head.

The Instructor should then run backwards towards the lob at which point #1 should already be sprinting towards the net. The Instructor then feeds another ball up the middle of the court for #1 to volley.

The better the players you will need to emphasize placement of both the lob and the volley diagrammed above. You might also make #1 run to hit the lob.

Chip Returns and Low Volleys

This drill develops solid chip or slice return of service in order to change pace, shorten back swing, and improve return percentage. It also develops body control on low volleys.

#1 serves from the add side to #2’s backhand. Emphasize placement of serve over power. Notice #2 should begin moving forward as ball is tossed and then cut into the court to actually slice the return.

For the purpose of this drill #2 must return down the line and will try not to have the slice float over the net. The ball should take a direct flight off the strings and clear the net by very little margin. Since #1 knows where the return must go the player can work on split stepping and controlling the volley cross court as shown.

After many successful attempts down the line with chip it is also important to practice the cross court chip as well. You will notice each shot numbered on the above diagram. Once again the emphasis should be made for the return to move forward and meet the serve and for the server to maintain control of his body balance and make tough low volleys.

Learn to Volley Without the Swing

1. The instructor stands 5 to 10 feet from the gate of a tennis court fence.
2. The player (or players) stands 1/2 step outside the fence as shown above.
3. The player’s racket is on the inside of the fence.
4. The instructor feeds the ball, and the player steps forward and volleys a return.

The idea is to prevent the player from taking a big back swing on volleys. Be sure to use caution around fence posts, but this is a great method to teach players that they are taking too much back swing because they will hit the fence if they take the racket back too far.

Short Volleys

Often it is very important to be able to volley short to the opposite court. This skill must be practiced in order to be refined.

Using a Sports Target placed on the service line as shown above, let #1 serve wide to #2 and come into the net. Notice how #1 does not come directly to the center, but just to the left of center.

#2 hits a return anywhere and #1 must try to volley the ball in front of the sports target in order to force #2 to have a difficult second shot. At least #2 must hit up on the ball requiring less power and giving #1 lots of opportunity to volley.

#1 should also practice hitting out wide to the ad-side and can then place the short volley on the opposite side. Watch the top touring pros and notice how often they volley short.

Develop the First Volley in Order to Receive the Second

#1 must begin this drill inside the baseline and on one half of the court. #1 feeds the ball to #2 or #3, and #1 is required to move forward and return the feed.

When #2 begins to strike the ball, #1 must now move forward toward the ball. #2 is required to return the ball towards the side where #1 began. The point is now played out between #1 and #2 and this sequence repeats with #1 and #3.