Hi!
Here’s a group drill to work on the smash after a defensive lob.
Very often, after you come to the net, you get caught by an opponent’s lob. This group exercise puts you in that real match situation: you move forward, you get lobbed, you must quickly move back and hit a smash on the move – all together in a smooth group rhythm.
The goal is to work on covering the lob after approaching the net and to hit a clean smash while moving back. This develops your ability to read the ball’s trajectory, reposition, and coordinate your feet and racket while on the move.
Drill execution:
All four players line up behind the baseline, and the coach stands on the other side of the net with a basket of balls.
- The coach feeds an approach ball.
- Player A hits a deep cross-court shot and comes forward to the net.
- As soon as player A reaches the net, the coach sends a lob over their head toward the back of the court.
- Player A must quickly move back, get under the ball, and hit a smash on the move, without rushing.
Once the smash is played, A goes to the back of the line. The next player (B) steps in for the following sequence.
(Image created with the ETDM software – Download it here)
The coach varies the lobs (higher or lower, shorter or deeper) so players learn to adjust their movement.
Download this drill sheet in PDF format
