Practice Drills
Following are illustrations of several drills of each type discussed previously.
Fed-Ball Drills
Warm-Up Drill
Objectives
- Establish an all-business mind-set for a productive practice session.
- Establish early preparation and timing for the contact point.
- Warm up the foundation and focus on good technique repetition.
- Hit to targets with high net clearance to promote depth.
Procedure
- The feeder hits two balls from the service line to alternating sides of the court.
- The student hits both balls down the line to the target area.
- The student rotates to the back of the line.
- All students move their feet.
Variations
- Add more balls to each rotation.
- Hit four, pick up four - the student hits four balls, then picks up four balls.
- Change direction to crosscourt patterns and short angles.
- Move students in to hit approach shots and volleys.
Windshield-Wiper Drill
Objectives
- Bring the group together to establish discipline, focus, and teamwork.
- Work groups of 8 to 12 students, all gaining benefit at once.
- Students warm up and focus on good technique repetition.
- Students hit to targets with high net clearance to promote depth.
Procedure
- The feeder hits two balls from the service line to alternating sides of the court.
- Students form one line at the baseline (curl the line around if there is not room behind the court).
- Students hit down the line to the target area and shadow on the other side.
- Students pick up balls, observe safety procedures, and rotate to the back of the line.
- All students shadow in time with the front two hitters.
Variations
- Add more balls to each rotation.
- Change direction to crosscourt patterns.
- Move students in to hit approach shots and volleys.
- When students hit from in the court, lines can go straight back.
Run-Around Forehand Drill
Objectives
- Develop the mind-set of using a weapon.
- Learn aggressive positioning in the court to take advantage of a big forehand.
- Learn to control the point through aggressive positioning.
- Hit to the target with power and accuracy.
Procedure
- The feeder hits one ball from the service line to the student’s backhand side.
- The student is to run around the backhand and hit an inside-out forehand to the target.
- The student rotates to the back of the line.
- The feeder must build the confidence and willingness of students to "just hit the ball."
Variations
- Add a forehand down the line and then position yourself for an inside-out forehand.
- Change direction to an inside-in forehand (down the line).
- Approach the shot and finish with a volley to the other corner.
Run-Around Forehand and Short-Ball Drill
Objectives
- Develop a mind-set of returning every ball.
- Develop shot combinations around the inside-out forehand.
- Learn to close in and continue to attack the short ball.
- Hit to targets with power and accuracy.
Procedure
- The feeder hits the first ball from the service line to the student’s backhand side.
- The student runs around the backhand and hits an inside-out forehand (see figure a).
- The feeder hits the second ball from the service line to the student’s forehand side short.
- The student closes in and hits the approach down the line to finish the point (see figure b).
- The feeder must build confidence and willingness of students to "just hit the ball."
Variations
- Add a volley or overhead to the combination.
- Change direction to inside-in forehand (down the line).
- Students play out the point after the approach.
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