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- The Tennis Drill Book
The world’s best tennis drill book returns—bigger, better, and more comprehensive than ever. Building on the strengths of the popular first edition, this second edition of The Tennis Drill Book includes more drills, expert instruction, advice, and analysis for today’s players and coaches.
The Tennis Drill Book is your complete collection of drills, games, and tips for improving stroke technique, match strategy, and everything in between. Inside you will find
• progressive technique drills for mastering every stroke and shot combination;
• tactics drills for winning with aggressive or defensive strategies in every game situation;
• mental training drills for staying focused when the pressure is on;
• warm-up, cool-down, and conditioning drills for increasing speed, agility, and endurance; and
• game-based drills that simulate singles and doubles match play.
With insights, recommendations, and performance tips from teaching pro and former WTA player Tina Hoskins-Burney and veteran coach Lex Carrington (coach to Vera Zvonareva), The Tennis Drill Book is an essential reference that belongs in every tennis library.
Part I Strokes and Techniques
Chapter 1 Grips
Chapter 2 Groundstrokes
Chapter 3 Volleys
Chapter 4 Serves and Returns
Chapter 5 Lobs and Overheads
Part II Tactics and Strategy
Chapter 6 Offensive Play
Chapter 7 Defensive Play
Chapter 8 Equalizing Game Styles
Chapter 9 Strategic Game Planning
Chapter 10 Court Surface Tactics
Chapter 11 Mental Mechanics
Part III Competition and Match Play
Chapter 12 Singles Games
Chapter 13 Doubles and Multi-Player Games
Chapter 14 Match Simulation Games
Part IV Court Movement and Conditioning
Chapter 15 Endurance Training
Chapter 16 In-Season Maintenance
Part V Competitive Group Games
Chapter 17 Teaching Group Games
Chapter 18 Backboard Drills
Tina Hoskins-Burney is a former professional player on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and satellite tours and is a certified professional from the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA). She has trained and traveled with top pros, including Arthur Carrington, Lori McNeil, Zina Garrison, and Rodney Harmon.
Hoskins-Burney has more than 30 years of experience in both playing and teaching tennis to all age groups and ability levels. She has helped many young players achieve USTA rankings, find jobs as teaching professionals, and achieve college scholarships. For over 20 years, Hoskins-Burney worked as the head tennis instructor at a prestigious racket club in New Jersey before relocating to Nantucket, Massachusetts, where she continued her teaching at a private club before branching out on her own to offer instruction and equipment through the Tennis Loft.
Lex Carrington has over 20 years of experience coaching both recreational players and athletes who have gone on to play for top Division I, Division II, and Division III varsity tennis teams. He has spent the majority of his career working with junior players. In addition to several other professional players, Carrington coached Vera Zvonareva for four years. Achieving a career-high No. 2 world ranking by the WTA, Zvonareva was a finalist at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2010.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective: To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective
To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Description
While tossing the ball and shifting body weight forward, players step up to the baseline with the back foot and launch up and into the ball with both legs together. This action helps generate a tremendously powerful serve.
Execution
Players take a position at the baseline or the service line center (T) and start from the natural service ready position. They mirror the steps of the flat serve but after transferring body weight forward, they simultaneously step up with the back foot while tossing the ball, place the back foot next to the lead foot, bend both knees, and launch up and out with the legs together. This sequence produces tremendous power from the lower body. Players strike the ball at the peak of the toss for net clearance and control, and then land on the lead foot. They complete the follow-through and recover.
Tips
The accuracy of the toss is especially important when adding fancy footwork to the serve. After players toss the ball, it essentially stays stationary, but the body will be moving all over the place. Players must therefore place the toss in the same location every time. They must practice tossing the ball at least as much as they practice serving the ball, if not more. A great way to learn how to hit up on the serve is by sitting or kneeling on the baseline or service line next to the center (T). This type of positioning forces a player to really extend the racket head up and into the ball before swinging out to the service-court area. Players who crave more pace and depth on the serve should try exhaling to help prevent a choked stroke and to smoothly accelerate up and through the ball.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_0707P_0301_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Developing a Game Plan
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
- Crosscourt shot. To get the opponent moving right away, players should start the point with a crosscourt shot. The opponent will have to run more, because a crosscourt shot can be hit at greater angles. The more the opponent must run for a ball, the less chance he or she has to get set and transfer weight into the shot and the greater the chance of a weak return. By hitting to a strength with a crosscourt shot, players may expose a weakness to the other side on the next shot. By returning the ball crosscourt when out of position, players will have four or five fewer recovery steps to take to get back to home base.
Players should remember that the racket face controls the direction of shots. The ball will always go in the direction that the strings are facing, because the ball bounces off the racket at right angles. For example, when the racket face is facing diagonally across the net, the ball will go crosscourt. When the racket face is facing squarely at the net with the strings parallel to the net, the ball will go down the line. - Down-the-line shot. The opponent who hits down the line will have to move a considerable distance to get to a crosscourt return. If the player can return the down-the-line shot with an aggressive crosscourt, he or she has an excellent chance to win the point outright.
On the down-the-line shot the ball travels a shorter distance and over a higher part of the net than it does with the crosscourt shot, so players must allow more leeway for error. They should hit this shot to change the routine of the basic crosscourt pattern, to hit at the opponent's weakness, or to hit behind an opponent who is running fast to cover the opposite side of the court. - Short shot. The opponent who has an aversion to approaching the net probably suffers from net jitters, the tennis version of stage fright. Players can take advantage of this opportunity by hitting a short shot to draw the opponent in to the net. Players may also want to return short if the opponent is pulling them up to the net and lobbing over their heads or aggressively passing them. Players who are not effective when pulled up to the net may want to bring the opponent to the net first by using a soft, short ball instead of an approach shot. When the opponent hits a short ball (weak shot) and players must move into the midcourt offensive zone to return it, they can play it as a drop shot, which tends to pull the opponent up and out of position. In addition, short shots following high floaters can be effective change-of-pace shots.
- Passing shot. The most important principle in the use of passing shots is keeping the ball low so that the net rusher will be forced to hit it up, decreasing the opportunity to make an aggressive volley. Topspin balls drop faster than flat or underspin balls do. Therefore, players should know that most passing shots hit with substantial topspin are effective.
- Drop shot. Players who are comfortable with all the preceding shots have collected a formidable set of weapons of court destruction. Now they should learn to use one of the smallest yet most powerful shots in tennis. The drop shot can be extremely effective when playing against a baseliner who refuses to come up to the net, or off a return of serve (second serve) as long as the server habitually stays back. Players can also try it off a short ball that the opponent hits to them. Normally, players return deep, which is what the opponent expects, so the drop shot can catch the opponent by surprise. The drop shot can also work well off the opponent's drop shot, as long as the opponent is reasonably far back or off balance. If the drop shot is not a surprise, it won't work.
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective: To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective
To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Description
To play good hard-court tennis, players must improve their overall conditioning, quicken their footwork, and develop consistency, agility, and anticipation skills. This drill helps players stay steady while running down shots by improving their placement and footwork and while hitting on the run and recovering.
Execution
Player A, at the net on one side of the court with a basket of balls, puts the first ball into play by hitting it down the line. Player B returns the ball to player A, who then volleys the ball crosscourt to a target (a prepositioned cone or marker). Player B runs and attempts to hit a passing shot down the line past player A. Player A then slides over to the other side of the court and repeats the steps. Players switch positions after every few points.
Variation
Players rotate to different positions after playing three to five points.
Tip
Players should angle their volleys 99 percent of the time. Volleys hit down the middle of the court tend to come back as winners for the opposing player.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_470023_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective: To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective
To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Description
While tossing the ball and shifting body weight forward, players step up to the baseline with the back foot and launch up and into the ball with both legs together. This action helps generate a tremendously powerful serve.
Execution
Players take a position at the baseline or the service line center (T) and start from the natural service ready position. They mirror the steps of the flat serve but after transferring body weight forward, they simultaneously step up with the back foot while tossing the ball, place the back foot next to the lead foot, bend both knees, and launch up and out with the legs together. This sequence produces tremendous power from the lower body. Players strike the ball at the peak of the toss for net clearance and control, and then land on the lead foot. They complete the follow-through and recover.
Tips
The accuracy of the toss is especially important when adding fancy footwork to the serve. After players toss the ball, it essentially stays stationary, but the body will be moving all over the place. Players must therefore place the toss in the same location every time. They must practice tossing the ball at least as much as they practice serving the ball, if not more. A great way to learn how to hit up on the serve is by sitting or kneeling on the baseline or service line next to the center (T). This type of positioning forces a player to really extend the racket head up and into the ball before swinging out to the service-court area. Players who crave more pace and depth on the serve should try exhaling to help prevent a choked stroke and to smoothly accelerate up and through the ball.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_0707P_0301_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Developing a Game Plan
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
- Crosscourt shot. To get the opponent moving right away, players should start the point with a crosscourt shot. The opponent will have to run more, because a crosscourt shot can be hit at greater angles. The more the opponent must run for a ball, the less chance he or she has to get set and transfer weight into the shot and the greater the chance of a weak return. By hitting to a strength with a crosscourt shot, players may expose a weakness to the other side on the next shot. By returning the ball crosscourt when out of position, players will have four or five fewer recovery steps to take to get back to home base.
Players should remember that the racket face controls the direction of shots. The ball will always go in the direction that the strings are facing, because the ball bounces off the racket at right angles. For example, when the racket face is facing diagonally across the net, the ball will go crosscourt. When the racket face is facing squarely at the net with the strings parallel to the net, the ball will go down the line. - Down-the-line shot. The opponent who hits down the line will have to move a considerable distance to get to a crosscourt return. If the player can return the down-the-line shot with an aggressive crosscourt, he or she has an excellent chance to win the point outright.
On the down-the-line shot the ball travels a shorter distance and over a higher part of the net than it does with the crosscourt shot, so players must allow more leeway for error. They should hit this shot to change the routine of the basic crosscourt pattern, to hit at the opponent's weakness, or to hit behind an opponent who is running fast to cover the opposite side of the court. - Short shot. The opponent who has an aversion to approaching the net probably suffers from net jitters, the tennis version of stage fright. Players can take advantage of this opportunity by hitting a short shot to draw the opponent in to the net. Players may also want to return short if the opponent is pulling them up to the net and lobbing over their heads or aggressively passing them. Players who are not effective when pulled up to the net may want to bring the opponent to the net first by using a soft, short ball instead of an approach shot. When the opponent hits a short ball (weak shot) and players must move into the midcourt offensive zone to return it, they can play it as a drop shot, which tends to pull the opponent up and out of position. In addition, short shots following high floaters can be effective change-of-pace shots.
- Passing shot. The most important principle in the use of passing shots is keeping the ball low so that the net rusher will be forced to hit it up, decreasing the opportunity to make an aggressive volley. Topspin balls drop faster than flat or underspin balls do. Therefore, players should know that most passing shots hit with substantial topspin are effective.
- Drop shot. Players who are comfortable with all the preceding shots have collected a formidable set of weapons of court destruction. Now they should learn to use one of the smallest yet most powerful shots in tennis. The drop shot can be extremely effective when playing against a baseliner who refuses to come up to the net, or off a return of serve (second serve) as long as the server habitually stays back. Players can also try it off a short ball that the opponent hits to them. Normally, players return deep, which is what the opponent expects, so the drop shot can catch the opponent by surprise. The drop shot can also work well off the opponent's drop shot, as long as the opponent is reasonably far back or off balance. If the drop shot is not a surprise, it won't work.
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective: To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective
To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Description
To play good hard-court tennis, players must improve their overall conditioning, quicken their footwork, and develop consistency, agility, and anticipation skills. This drill helps players stay steady while running down shots by improving their placement and footwork and while hitting on the run and recovering.
Execution
Player A, at the net on one side of the court with a basket of balls, puts the first ball into play by hitting it down the line. Player B returns the ball to player A, who then volleys the ball crosscourt to a target (a prepositioned cone or marker). Player B runs and attempts to hit a passing shot down the line past player A. Player A then slides over to the other side of the court and repeats the steps. Players switch positions after every few points.
Variation
Players rotate to different positions after playing three to five points.
Tip
Players should angle their volleys 99 percent of the time. Volleys hit down the middle of the court tend to come back as winners for the opposing player.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_470023_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective: To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective
To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Description
While tossing the ball and shifting body weight forward, players step up to the baseline with the back foot and launch up and into the ball with both legs together. This action helps generate a tremendously powerful serve.
Execution
Players take a position at the baseline or the service line center (T) and start from the natural service ready position. They mirror the steps of the flat serve but after transferring body weight forward, they simultaneously step up with the back foot while tossing the ball, place the back foot next to the lead foot, bend both knees, and launch up and out with the legs together. This sequence produces tremendous power from the lower body. Players strike the ball at the peak of the toss for net clearance and control, and then land on the lead foot. They complete the follow-through and recover.
Tips
The accuracy of the toss is especially important when adding fancy footwork to the serve. After players toss the ball, it essentially stays stationary, but the body will be moving all over the place. Players must therefore place the toss in the same location every time. They must practice tossing the ball at least as much as they practice serving the ball, if not more. A great way to learn how to hit up on the serve is by sitting or kneeling on the baseline or service line next to the center (T). This type of positioning forces a player to really extend the racket head up and into the ball before swinging out to the service-court area. Players who crave more pace and depth on the serve should try exhaling to help prevent a choked stroke and to smoothly accelerate up and through the ball.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_0707P_0301_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Developing a Game Plan
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
- Crosscourt shot. To get the opponent moving right away, players should start the point with a crosscourt shot. The opponent will have to run more, because a crosscourt shot can be hit at greater angles. The more the opponent must run for a ball, the less chance he or she has to get set and transfer weight into the shot and the greater the chance of a weak return. By hitting to a strength with a crosscourt shot, players may expose a weakness to the other side on the next shot. By returning the ball crosscourt when out of position, players will have four or five fewer recovery steps to take to get back to home base.
Players should remember that the racket face controls the direction of shots. The ball will always go in the direction that the strings are facing, because the ball bounces off the racket at right angles. For example, when the racket face is facing diagonally across the net, the ball will go crosscourt. When the racket face is facing squarely at the net with the strings parallel to the net, the ball will go down the line. - Down-the-line shot. The opponent who hits down the line will have to move a considerable distance to get to a crosscourt return. If the player can return the down-the-line shot with an aggressive crosscourt, he or she has an excellent chance to win the point outright.
On the down-the-line shot the ball travels a shorter distance and over a higher part of the net than it does with the crosscourt shot, so players must allow more leeway for error. They should hit this shot to change the routine of the basic crosscourt pattern, to hit at the opponent's weakness, or to hit behind an opponent who is running fast to cover the opposite side of the court. - Short shot. The opponent who has an aversion to approaching the net probably suffers from net jitters, the tennis version of stage fright. Players can take advantage of this opportunity by hitting a short shot to draw the opponent in to the net. Players may also want to return short if the opponent is pulling them up to the net and lobbing over their heads or aggressively passing them. Players who are not effective when pulled up to the net may want to bring the opponent to the net first by using a soft, short ball instead of an approach shot. When the opponent hits a short ball (weak shot) and players must move into the midcourt offensive zone to return it, they can play it as a drop shot, which tends to pull the opponent up and out of position. In addition, short shots following high floaters can be effective change-of-pace shots.
- Passing shot. The most important principle in the use of passing shots is keeping the ball low so that the net rusher will be forced to hit it up, decreasing the opportunity to make an aggressive volley. Topspin balls drop faster than flat or underspin balls do. Therefore, players should know that most passing shots hit with substantial topspin are effective.
- Drop shot. Players who are comfortable with all the preceding shots have collected a formidable set of weapons of court destruction. Now they should learn to use one of the smallest yet most powerful shots in tennis. The drop shot can be extremely effective when playing against a baseliner who refuses to come up to the net, or off a return of serve (second serve) as long as the server habitually stays back. Players can also try it off a short ball that the opponent hits to them. Normally, players return deep, which is what the opponent expects, so the drop shot can catch the opponent by surprise. The drop shot can also work well off the opponent's drop shot, as long as the opponent is reasonably far back or off balance. If the drop shot is not a surprise, it won't work.
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective: To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective
To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Description
To play good hard-court tennis, players must improve their overall conditioning, quicken their footwork, and develop consistency, agility, and anticipation skills. This drill helps players stay steady while running down shots by improving their placement and footwork and while hitting on the run and recovering.
Execution
Player A, at the net on one side of the court with a basket of balls, puts the first ball into play by hitting it down the line. Player B returns the ball to player A, who then volleys the ball crosscourt to a target (a prepositioned cone or marker). Player B runs and attempts to hit a passing shot down the line past player A. Player A then slides over to the other side of the court and repeats the steps. Players switch positions after every few points.
Variation
Players rotate to different positions after playing three to five points.
Tip
Players should angle their volleys 99 percent of the time. Volleys hit down the middle of the court tend to come back as winners for the opposing player.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_470023_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective: To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective
To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Description
While tossing the ball and shifting body weight forward, players step up to the baseline with the back foot and launch up and into the ball with both legs together. This action helps generate a tremendously powerful serve.
Execution
Players take a position at the baseline or the service line center (T) and start from the natural service ready position. They mirror the steps of the flat serve but after transferring body weight forward, they simultaneously step up with the back foot while tossing the ball, place the back foot next to the lead foot, bend both knees, and launch up and out with the legs together. This sequence produces tremendous power from the lower body. Players strike the ball at the peak of the toss for net clearance and control, and then land on the lead foot. They complete the follow-through and recover.
Tips
The accuracy of the toss is especially important when adding fancy footwork to the serve. After players toss the ball, it essentially stays stationary, but the body will be moving all over the place. Players must therefore place the toss in the same location every time. They must practice tossing the ball at least as much as they practice serving the ball, if not more. A great way to learn how to hit up on the serve is by sitting or kneeling on the baseline or service line next to the center (T). This type of positioning forces a player to really extend the racket head up and into the ball before swinging out to the service-court area. Players who crave more pace and depth on the serve should try exhaling to help prevent a choked stroke and to smoothly accelerate up and through the ball.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_0707P_0301_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Developing a Game Plan
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
- Crosscourt shot. To get the opponent moving right away, players should start the point with a crosscourt shot. The opponent will have to run more, because a crosscourt shot can be hit at greater angles. The more the opponent must run for a ball, the less chance he or she has to get set and transfer weight into the shot and the greater the chance of a weak return. By hitting to a strength with a crosscourt shot, players may expose a weakness to the other side on the next shot. By returning the ball crosscourt when out of position, players will have four or five fewer recovery steps to take to get back to home base.
Players should remember that the racket face controls the direction of shots. The ball will always go in the direction that the strings are facing, because the ball bounces off the racket at right angles. For example, when the racket face is facing diagonally across the net, the ball will go crosscourt. When the racket face is facing squarely at the net with the strings parallel to the net, the ball will go down the line. - Down-the-line shot. The opponent who hits down the line will have to move a considerable distance to get to a crosscourt return. If the player can return the down-the-line shot with an aggressive crosscourt, he or she has an excellent chance to win the point outright.
On the down-the-line shot the ball travels a shorter distance and over a higher part of the net than it does with the crosscourt shot, so players must allow more leeway for error. They should hit this shot to change the routine of the basic crosscourt pattern, to hit at the opponent's weakness, or to hit behind an opponent who is running fast to cover the opposite side of the court. - Short shot. The opponent who has an aversion to approaching the net probably suffers from net jitters, the tennis version of stage fright. Players can take advantage of this opportunity by hitting a short shot to draw the opponent in to the net. Players may also want to return short if the opponent is pulling them up to the net and lobbing over their heads or aggressively passing them. Players who are not effective when pulled up to the net may want to bring the opponent to the net first by using a soft, short ball instead of an approach shot. When the opponent hits a short ball (weak shot) and players must move into the midcourt offensive zone to return it, they can play it as a drop shot, which tends to pull the opponent up and out of position. In addition, short shots following high floaters can be effective change-of-pace shots.
- Passing shot. The most important principle in the use of passing shots is keeping the ball low so that the net rusher will be forced to hit it up, decreasing the opportunity to make an aggressive volley. Topspin balls drop faster than flat or underspin balls do. Therefore, players should know that most passing shots hit with substantial topspin are effective.
- Drop shot. Players who are comfortable with all the preceding shots have collected a formidable set of weapons of court destruction. Now they should learn to use one of the smallest yet most powerful shots in tennis. The drop shot can be extremely effective when playing against a baseliner who refuses to come up to the net, or off a return of serve (second serve) as long as the server habitually stays back. Players can also try it off a short ball that the opponent hits to them. Normally, players return deep, which is what the opponent expects, so the drop shot can catch the opponent by surprise. The drop shot can also work well off the opponent's drop shot, as long as the opponent is reasonably far back or off balance. If the drop shot is not a surprise, it won't work.
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective: To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective
To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Description
To play good hard-court tennis, players must improve their overall conditioning, quicken their footwork, and develop consistency, agility, and anticipation skills. This drill helps players stay steady while running down shots by improving their placement and footwork and while hitting on the run and recovering.
Execution
Player A, at the net on one side of the court with a basket of balls, puts the first ball into play by hitting it down the line. Player B returns the ball to player A, who then volleys the ball crosscourt to a target (a prepositioned cone or marker). Player B runs and attempts to hit a passing shot down the line past player A. Player A then slides over to the other side of the court and repeats the steps. Players switch positions after every few points.
Variation
Players rotate to different positions after playing three to five points.
Tip
Players should angle their volleys 99 percent of the time. Volleys hit down the middle of the court tend to come back as winners for the opposing player.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_470023_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective: To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective
To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Description
While tossing the ball and shifting body weight forward, players step up to the baseline with the back foot and launch up and into the ball with both legs together. This action helps generate a tremendously powerful serve.
Execution
Players take a position at the baseline or the service line center (T) and start from the natural service ready position. They mirror the steps of the flat serve but after transferring body weight forward, they simultaneously step up with the back foot while tossing the ball, place the back foot next to the lead foot, bend both knees, and launch up and out with the legs together. This sequence produces tremendous power from the lower body. Players strike the ball at the peak of the toss for net clearance and control, and then land on the lead foot. They complete the follow-through and recover.
Tips
The accuracy of the toss is especially important when adding fancy footwork to the serve. After players toss the ball, it essentially stays stationary, but the body will be moving all over the place. Players must therefore place the toss in the same location every time. They must practice tossing the ball at least as much as they practice serving the ball, if not more. A great way to learn how to hit up on the serve is by sitting or kneeling on the baseline or service line next to the center (T). This type of positioning forces a player to really extend the racket head up and into the ball before swinging out to the service-court area. Players who crave more pace and depth on the serve should try exhaling to help prevent a choked stroke and to smoothly accelerate up and through the ball.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_0707P_0301_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Developing a Game Plan
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
- Crosscourt shot. To get the opponent moving right away, players should start the point with a crosscourt shot. The opponent will have to run more, because a crosscourt shot can be hit at greater angles. The more the opponent must run for a ball, the less chance he or she has to get set and transfer weight into the shot and the greater the chance of a weak return. By hitting to a strength with a crosscourt shot, players may expose a weakness to the other side on the next shot. By returning the ball crosscourt when out of position, players will have four or five fewer recovery steps to take to get back to home base.
Players should remember that the racket face controls the direction of shots. The ball will always go in the direction that the strings are facing, because the ball bounces off the racket at right angles. For example, when the racket face is facing diagonally across the net, the ball will go crosscourt. When the racket face is facing squarely at the net with the strings parallel to the net, the ball will go down the line. - Down-the-line shot. The opponent who hits down the line will have to move a considerable distance to get to a crosscourt return. If the player can return the down-the-line shot with an aggressive crosscourt, he or she has an excellent chance to win the point outright.
On the down-the-line shot the ball travels a shorter distance and over a higher part of the net than it does with the crosscourt shot, so players must allow more leeway for error. They should hit this shot to change the routine of the basic crosscourt pattern, to hit at the opponent's weakness, or to hit behind an opponent who is running fast to cover the opposite side of the court. - Short shot. The opponent who has an aversion to approaching the net probably suffers from net jitters, the tennis version of stage fright. Players can take advantage of this opportunity by hitting a short shot to draw the opponent in to the net. Players may also want to return short if the opponent is pulling them up to the net and lobbing over their heads or aggressively passing them. Players who are not effective when pulled up to the net may want to bring the opponent to the net first by using a soft, short ball instead of an approach shot. When the opponent hits a short ball (weak shot) and players must move into the midcourt offensive zone to return it, they can play it as a drop shot, which tends to pull the opponent up and out of position. In addition, short shots following high floaters can be effective change-of-pace shots.
- Passing shot. The most important principle in the use of passing shots is keeping the ball low so that the net rusher will be forced to hit it up, decreasing the opportunity to make an aggressive volley. Topspin balls drop faster than flat or underspin balls do. Therefore, players should know that most passing shots hit with substantial topspin are effective.
- Drop shot. Players who are comfortable with all the preceding shots have collected a formidable set of weapons of court destruction. Now they should learn to use one of the smallest yet most powerful shots in tennis. The drop shot can be extremely effective when playing against a baseliner who refuses to come up to the net, or off a return of serve (second serve) as long as the server habitually stays back. Players can also try it off a short ball that the opponent hits to them. Normally, players return deep, which is what the opponent expects, so the drop shot can catch the opponent by surprise. The drop shot can also work well off the opponent's drop shot, as long as the opponent is reasonably far back or off balance. If the drop shot is not a surprise, it won't work.
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective: To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective
To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Description
To play good hard-court tennis, players must improve their overall conditioning, quicken their footwork, and develop consistency, agility, and anticipation skills. This drill helps players stay steady while running down shots by improving their placement and footwork and while hitting on the run and recovering.
Execution
Player A, at the net on one side of the court with a basket of balls, puts the first ball into play by hitting it down the line. Player B returns the ball to player A, who then volleys the ball crosscourt to a target (a prepositioned cone or marker). Player B runs and attempts to hit a passing shot down the line past player A. Player A then slides over to the other side of the court and repeats the steps. Players switch positions after every few points.
Variation
Players rotate to different positions after playing three to five points.
Tip
Players should angle their volleys 99 percent of the time. Volleys hit down the middle of the court tend to come back as winners for the opposing player.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_470023_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective: To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective
To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Description
While tossing the ball and shifting body weight forward, players step up to the baseline with the back foot and launch up and into the ball with both legs together. This action helps generate a tremendously powerful serve.
Execution
Players take a position at the baseline or the service line center (T) and start from the natural service ready position. They mirror the steps of the flat serve but after transferring body weight forward, they simultaneously step up with the back foot while tossing the ball, place the back foot next to the lead foot, bend both knees, and launch up and out with the legs together. This sequence produces tremendous power from the lower body. Players strike the ball at the peak of the toss for net clearance and control, and then land on the lead foot. They complete the follow-through and recover.
Tips
The accuracy of the toss is especially important when adding fancy footwork to the serve. After players toss the ball, it essentially stays stationary, but the body will be moving all over the place. Players must therefore place the toss in the same location every time. They must practice tossing the ball at least as much as they practice serving the ball, if not more. A great way to learn how to hit up on the serve is by sitting or kneeling on the baseline or service line next to the center (T). This type of positioning forces a player to really extend the racket head up and into the ball before swinging out to the service-court area. Players who crave more pace and depth on the serve should try exhaling to help prevent a choked stroke and to smoothly accelerate up and through the ball.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_0707P_0301_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Developing a Game Plan
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
- Crosscourt shot. To get the opponent moving right away, players should start the point with a crosscourt shot. The opponent will have to run more, because a crosscourt shot can be hit at greater angles. The more the opponent must run for a ball, the less chance he or she has to get set and transfer weight into the shot and the greater the chance of a weak return. By hitting to a strength with a crosscourt shot, players may expose a weakness to the other side on the next shot. By returning the ball crosscourt when out of position, players will have four or five fewer recovery steps to take to get back to home base.
Players should remember that the racket face controls the direction of shots. The ball will always go in the direction that the strings are facing, because the ball bounces off the racket at right angles. For example, when the racket face is facing diagonally across the net, the ball will go crosscourt. When the racket face is facing squarely at the net with the strings parallel to the net, the ball will go down the line. - Down-the-line shot. The opponent who hits down the line will have to move a considerable distance to get to a crosscourt return. If the player can return the down-the-line shot with an aggressive crosscourt, he or she has an excellent chance to win the point outright.
On the down-the-line shot the ball travels a shorter distance and over a higher part of the net than it does with the crosscourt shot, so players must allow more leeway for error. They should hit this shot to change the routine of the basic crosscourt pattern, to hit at the opponent's weakness, or to hit behind an opponent who is running fast to cover the opposite side of the court. - Short shot. The opponent who has an aversion to approaching the net probably suffers from net jitters, the tennis version of stage fright. Players can take advantage of this opportunity by hitting a short shot to draw the opponent in to the net. Players may also want to return short if the opponent is pulling them up to the net and lobbing over their heads or aggressively passing them. Players who are not effective when pulled up to the net may want to bring the opponent to the net first by using a soft, short ball instead of an approach shot. When the opponent hits a short ball (weak shot) and players must move into the midcourt offensive zone to return it, they can play it as a drop shot, which tends to pull the opponent up and out of position. In addition, short shots following high floaters can be effective change-of-pace shots.
- Passing shot. The most important principle in the use of passing shots is keeping the ball low so that the net rusher will be forced to hit it up, decreasing the opportunity to make an aggressive volley. Topspin balls drop faster than flat or underspin balls do. Therefore, players should know that most passing shots hit with substantial topspin are effective.
- Drop shot. Players who are comfortable with all the preceding shots have collected a formidable set of weapons of court destruction. Now they should learn to use one of the smallest yet most powerful shots in tennis. The drop shot can be extremely effective when playing against a baseliner who refuses to come up to the net, or off a return of serve (second serve) as long as the server habitually stays back. Players can also try it off a short ball that the opponent hits to them. Normally, players return deep, which is what the opponent expects, so the drop shot can catch the opponent by surprise. The drop shot can also work well off the opponent's drop shot, as long as the opponent is reasonably far back or off balance. If the drop shot is not a surprise, it won't work.
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective: To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective
To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Description
To play good hard-court tennis, players must improve their overall conditioning, quicken their footwork, and develop consistency, agility, and anticipation skills. This drill helps players stay steady while running down shots by improving their placement and footwork and while hitting on the run and recovering.
Execution
Player A, at the net on one side of the court with a basket of balls, puts the first ball into play by hitting it down the line. Player B returns the ball to player A, who then volleys the ball crosscourt to a target (a prepositioned cone or marker). Player B runs and attempts to hit a passing shot down the line past player A. Player A then slides over to the other side of the court and repeats the steps. Players switch positions after every few points.
Variation
Players rotate to different positions after playing three to five points.
Tip
Players should angle their volleys 99 percent of the time. Volleys hit down the middle of the court tend to come back as winners for the opposing player.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_470023_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective: To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective
To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Description
While tossing the ball and shifting body weight forward, players step up to the baseline with the back foot and launch up and into the ball with both legs together. This action helps generate a tremendously powerful serve.
Execution
Players take a position at the baseline or the service line center (T) and start from the natural service ready position. They mirror the steps of the flat serve but after transferring body weight forward, they simultaneously step up with the back foot while tossing the ball, place the back foot next to the lead foot, bend both knees, and launch up and out with the legs together. This sequence produces tremendous power from the lower body. Players strike the ball at the peak of the toss for net clearance and control, and then land on the lead foot. They complete the follow-through and recover.
Tips
The accuracy of the toss is especially important when adding fancy footwork to the serve. After players toss the ball, it essentially stays stationary, but the body will be moving all over the place. Players must therefore place the toss in the same location every time. They must practice tossing the ball at least as much as they practice serving the ball, if not more. A great way to learn how to hit up on the serve is by sitting or kneeling on the baseline or service line next to the center (T). This type of positioning forces a player to really extend the racket head up and into the ball before swinging out to the service-court area. Players who crave more pace and depth on the serve should try exhaling to help prevent a choked stroke and to smoothly accelerate up and through the ball.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_0707P_0301_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Developing a Game Plan
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
- Crosscourt shot. To get the opponent moving right away, players should start the point with a crosscourt shot. The opponent will have to run more, because a crosscourt shot can be hit at greater angles. The more the opponent must run for a ball, the less chance he or she has to get set and transfer weight into the shot and the greater the chance of a weak return. By hitting to a strength with a crosscourt shot, players may expose a weakness to the other side on the next shot. By returning the ball crosscourt when out of position, players will have four or five fewer recovery steps to take to get back to home base.
Players should remember that the racket face controls the direction of shots. The ball will always go in the direction that the strings are facing, because the ball bounces off the racket at right angles. For example, when the racket face is facing diagonally across the net, the ball will go crosscourt. When the racket face is facing squarely at the net with the strings parallel to the net, the ball will go down the line. - Down-the-line shot. The opponent who hits down the line will have to move a considerable distance to get to a crosscourt return. If the player can return the down-the-line shot with an aggressive crosscourt, he or she has an excellent chance to win the point outright.
On the down-the-line shot the ball travels a shorter distance and over a higher part of the net than it does with the crosscourt shot, so players must allow more leeway for error. They should hit this shot to change the routine of the basic crosscourt pattern, to hit at the opponent's weakness, or to hit behind an opponent who is running fast to cover the opposite side of the court. - Short shot. The opponent who has an aversion to approaching the net probably suffers from net jitters, the tennis version of stage fright. Players can take advantage of this opportunity by hitting a short shot to draw the opponent in to the net. Players may also want to return short if the opponent is pulling them up to the net and lobbing over their heads or aggressively passing them. Players who are not effective when pulled up to the net may want to bring the opponent to the net first by using a soft, short ball instead of an approach shot. When the opponent hits a short ball (weak shot) and players must move into the midcourt offensive zone to return it, they can play it as a drop shot, which tends to pull the opponent up and out of position. In addition, short shots following high floaters can be effective change-of-pace shots.
- Passing shot. The most important principle in the use of passing shots is keeping the ball low so that the net rusher will be forced to hit it up, decreasing the opportunity to make an aggressive volley. Topspin balls drop faster than flat or underspin balls do. Therefore, players should know that most passing shots hit with substantial topspin are effective.
- Drop shot. Players who are comfortable with all the preceding shots have collected a formidable set of weapons of court destruction. Now they should learn to use one of the smallest yet most powerful shots in tennis. The drop shot can be extremely effective when playing against a baseliner who refuses to come up to the net, or off a return of serve (second serve) as long as the server habitually stays back. Players can also try it off a short ball that the opponent hits to them. Normally, players return deep, which is what the opponent expects, so the drop shot can catch the opponent by surprise. The drop shot can also work well off the opponent's drop shot, as long as the opponent is reasonably far back or off balance. If the drop shot is not a surprise, it won't work.
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective: To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective
To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Description
To play good hard-court tennis, players must improve their overall conditioning, quicken their footwork, and develop consistency, agility, and anticipation skills. This drill helps players stay steady while running down shots by improving their placement and footwork and while hitting on the run and recovering.
Execution
Player A, at the net on one side of the court with a basket of balls, puts the first ball into play by hitting it down the line. Player B returns the ball to player A, who then volleys the ball crosscourt to a target (a prepositioned cone or marker). Player B runs and attempts to hit a passing shot down the line past player A. Player A then slides over to the other side of the court and repeats the steps. Players switch positions after every few points.
Variation
Players rotate to different positions after playing three to five points.
Tip
Players should angle their volleys 99 percent of the time. Volleys hit down the middle of the court tend to come back as winners for the opposing player.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_470023_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective: To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective
To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Description
While tossing the ball and shifting body weight forward, players step up to the baseline with the back foot and launch up and into the ball with both legs together. This action helps generate a tremendously powerful serve.
Execution
Players take a position at the baseline or the service line center (T) and start from the natural service ready position. They mirror the steps of the flat serve but after transferring body weight forward, they simultaneously step up with the back foot while tossing the ball, place the back foot next to the lead foot, bend both knees, and launch up and out with the legs together. This sequence produces tremendous power from the lower body. Players strike the ball at the peak of the toss for net clearance and control, and then land on the lead foot. They complete the follow-through and recover.
Tips
The accuracy of the toss is especially important when adding fancy footwork to the serve. After players toss the ball, it essentially stays stationary, but the body will be moving all over the place. Players must therefore place the toss in the same location every time. They must practice tossing the ball at least as much as they practice serving the ball, if not more. A great way to learn how to hit up on the serve is by sitting or kneeling on the baseline or service line next to the center (T). This type of positioning forces a player to really extend the racket head up and into the ball before swinging out to the service-court area. Players who crave more pace and depth on the serve should try exhaling to help prevent a choked stroke and to smoothly accelerate up and through the ball.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_0707P_0301_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Developing a Game Plan
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
- Crosscourt shot. To get the opponent moving right away, players should start the point with a crosscourt shot. The opponent will have to run more, because a crosscourt shot can be hit at greater angles. The more the opponent must run for a ball, the less chance he or she has to get set and transfer weight into the shot and the greater the chance of a weak return. By hitting to a strength with a crosscourt shot, players may expose a weakness to the other side on the next shot. By returning the ball crosscourt when out of position, players will have four or five fewer recovery steps to take to get back to home base.
Players should remember that the racket face controls the direction of shots. The ball will always go in the direction that the strings are facing, because the ball bounces off the racket at right angles. For example, when the racket face is facing diagonally across the net, the ball will go crosscourt. When the racket face is facing squarely at the net with the strings parallel to the net, the ball will go down the line. - Down-the-line shot. The opponent who hits down the line will have to move a considerable distance to get to a crosscourt return. If the player can return the down-the-line shot with an aggressive crosscourt, he or she has an excellent chance to win the point outright.
On the down-the-line shot the ball travels a shorter distance and over a higher part of the net than it does with the crosscourt shot, so players must allow more leeway for error. They should hit this shot to change the routine of the basic crosscourt pattern, to hit at the opponent's weakness, or to hit behind an opponent who is running fast to cover the opposite side of the court. - Short shot. The opponent who has an aversion to approaching the net probably suffers from net jitters, the tennis version of stage fright. Players can take advantage of this opportunity by hitting a short shot to draw the opponent in to the net. Players may also want to return short if the opponent is pulling them up to the net and lobbing over their heads or aggressively passing them. Players who are not effective when pulled up to the net may want to bring the opponent to the net first by using a soft, short ball instead of an approach shot. When the opponent hits a short ball (weak shot) and players must move into the midcourt offensive zone to return it, they can play it as a drop shot, which tends to pull the opponent up and out of position. In addition, short shots following high floaters can be effective change-of-pace shots.
- Passing shot. The most important principle in the use of passing shots is keeping the ball low so that the net rusher will be forced to hit it up, decreasing the opportunity to make an aggressive volley. Topspin balls drop faster than flat or underspin balls do. Therefore, players should know that most passing shots hit with substantial topspin are effective.
- Drop shot. Players who are comfortable with all the preceding shots have collected a formidable set of weapons of court destruction. Now they should learn to use one of the smallest yet most powerful shots in tennis. The drop shot can be extremely effective when playing against a baseliner who refuses to come up to the net, or off a return of serve (second serve) as long as the server habitually stays back. Players can also try it off a short ball that the opponent hits to them. Normally, players return deep, which is what the opponent expects, so the drop shot can catch the opponent by surprise. The drop shot can also work well off the opponent's drop shot, as long as the opponent is reasonably far back or off balance. If the drop shot is not a surprise, it won't work.
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective: To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective
To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Description
To play good hard-court tennis, players must improve their overall conditioning, quicken their footwork, and develop consistency, agility, and anticipation skills. This drill helps players stay steady while running down shots by improving their placement and footwork and while hitting on the run and recovering.
Execution
Player A, at the net on one side of the court with a basket of balls, puts the first ball into play by hitting it down the line. Player B returns the ball to player A, who then volleys the ball crosscourt to a target (a prepositioned cone or marker). Player B runs and attempts to hit a passing shot down the line past player A. Player A then slides over to the other side of the court and repeats the steps. Players switch positions after every few points.
Variation
Players rotate to different positions after playing three to five points.
Tip
Players should angle their volleys 99 percent of the time. Volleys hit down the middle of the court tend to come back as winners for the opposing player.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_470023_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective: To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Thrust Launch Serve Technique
Objective
To take the basic flat serve to new levels by adding powerful lower-body technique to the mix.
Description
While tossing the ball and shifting body weight forward, players step up to the baseline with the back foot and launch up and into the ball with both legs together. This action helps generate a tremendously powerful serve.
Execution
Players take a position at the baseline or the service line center (T) and start from the natural service ready position. They mirror the steps of the flat serve but after transferring body weight forward, they simultaneously step up with the back foot while tossing the ball, place the back foot next to the lead foot, bend both knees, and launch up and out with the legs together. This sequence produces tremendous power from the lower body. Players strike the ball at the peak of the toss for net clearance and control, and then land on the lead foot. They complete the follow-through and recover.
Tips
The accuracy of the toss is especially important when adding fancy footwork to the serve. After players toss the ball, it essentially stays stationary, but the body will be moving all over the place. Players must therefore place the toss in the same location every time. They must practice tossing the ball at least as much as they practice serving the ball, if not more. A great way to learn how to hit up on the serve is by sitting or kneeling on the baseline or service line next to the center (T). This type of positioning forces a player to really extend the racket head up and into the ball before swinging out to the service-court area. Players who crave more pace and depth on the serve should try exhaling to help prevent a choked stroke and to smoothly accelerate up and through the ball.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_0707P_0301_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Developing a Game Plan
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
When developing a game plan, players should keep in mind five basic offensive shots. When players develop each of the following shots, they will have a package of offensive strengths with which to build an overall offensive game plan.
- Crosscourt shot. To get the opponent moving right away, players should start the point with a crosscourt shot. The opponent will have to run more, because a crosscourt shot can be hit at greater angles. The more the opponent must run for a ball, the less chance he or she has to get set and transfer weight into the shot and the greater the chance of a weak return. By hitting to a strength with a crosscourt shot, players may expose a weakness to the other side on the next shot. By returning the ball crosscourt when out of position, players will have four or five fewer recovery steps to take to get back to home base.
Players should remember that the racket face controls the direction of shots. The ball will always go in the direction that the strings are facing, because the ball bounces off the racket at right angles. For example, when the racket face is facing diagonally across the net, the ball will go crosscourt. When the racket face is facing squarely at the net with the strings parallel to the net, the ball will go down the line. - Down-the-line shot. The opponent who hits down the line will have to move a considerable distance to get to a crosscourt return. If the player can return the down-the-line shot with an aggressive crosscourt, he or she has an excellent chance to win the point outright.
On the down-the-line shot the ball travels a shorter distance and over a higher part of the net than it does with the crosscourt shot, so players must allow more leeway for error. They should hit this shot to change the routine of the basic crosscourt pattern, to hit at the opponent's weakness, or to hit behind an opponent who is running fast to cover the opposite side of the court. - Short shot. The opponent who has an aversion to approaching the net probably suffers from net jitters, the tennis version of stage fright. Players can take advantage of this opportunity by hitting a short shot to draw the opponent in to the net. Players may also want to return short if the opponent is pulling them up to the net and lobbing over their heads or aggressively passing them. Players who are not effective when pulled up to the net may want to bring the opponent to the net first by using a soft, short ball instead of an approach shot. When the opponent hits a short ball (weak shot) and players must move into the midcourt offensive zone to return it, they can play it as a drop shot, which tends to pull the opponent up and out of position. In addition, short shots following high floaters can be effective change-of-pace shots.
- Passing shot. The most important principle in the use of passing shots is keeping the ball low so that the net rusher will be forced to hit it up, decreasing the opportunity to make an aggressive volley. Topspin balls drop faster than flat or underspin balls do. Therefore, players should know that most passing shots hit with substantial topspin are effective.
- Drop shot. Players who are comfortable with all the preceding shots have collected a formidable set of weapons of court destruction. Now they should learn to use one of the smallest yet most powerful shots in tennis. The drop shot can be extremely effective when playing against a baseliner who refuses to come up to the net, or off a return of serve (second serve) as long as the server habitually stays back. Players can also try it off a short ball that the opponent hits to them. Normally, players return deep, which is what the opponent expects, so the drop shot can catch the opponent by surprise. The drop shot can also work well off the opponent's drop shot, as long as the opponent is reasonably far back or off balance. If the drop shot is not a surprise, it won't work.
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective: To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Four-Hit Passing Shot
Objective
To help players develop quick thinking skills while hitting passing shots on the run.
Description
To play good hard-court tennis, players must improve their overall conditioning, quicken their footwork, and develop consistency, agility, and anticipation skills. This drill helps players stay steady while running down shots by improving their placement and footwork and while hitting on the run and recovering.
Execution
Player A, at the net on one side of the court with a basket of balls, puts the first ball into play by hitting it down the line. Player B returns the ball to player A, who then volleys the ball crosscourt to a target (a prepositioned cone or marker). Player B runs and attempts to hit a passing shot down the line past player A. Player A then slides over to the other side of the court and repeats the steps. Players switch positions after every few points.
Variation
Players rotate to different positions after playing three to five points.
Tip
Players should angle their volleys 99 percent of the time. Volleys hit down the middle of the court tend to come back as winners for the opposing player.
http://www.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/117/E6008_470023_ebook_Main.jpg
Learn more about Tennis Drill Book, Second Edition.
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