The objective is to follow a defensive backhand from the baseline with forward movement to attack a short ball, using the backhand slice as a weapon for taking the initiative.

How to Run the Drill:

• The coach stands on the other side of the net with a ball basket. Place a cone beside the center of the court to require the player to recover after each shot. The other players line up behind the baseline, observe, and prepare for their turns.
• Player A starts ready behind the baseline on the backhand side. The coach feeds a first deep ball to the backhand, and the player returns it defensively.
• The coach feeds a second, shorter and more favorable ball to the backhand. The player reads the trajectory, circles the cone, moves forward quickly, and attacks with a backhand slice, stepping into the ball to take control. After this offensive shot, the player circles the cone again and resets for the next sequence.
• Each player completes 4 full sequences, defense plus attack, then gives up the spot to the next player. Complete several rotations so everyone repeats the pattern until it becomes fluid and automatic.
• The attacking backhand slice should be penetrating, low, or well placed to put the opponent under pressure.

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This drill develops the ability to switch from defense to offense in two shots, improves forward and backward movement, and builds confidence when attacking with a backhand slice in a favorable situation. In a match, players learn to recognize these short balls and exploit them without hesitation to gain the advantage and finish the point.

• The first player starts near the cone in the center. As soon as the ball leaves the machine, the player immediately rotates the upper body to prepare the backhand slice. Shoulder orientation and early racket preparation behind the body are important.
• The player then moves quickly into position behind the bounce, using crossover steps or running steps depending on the width of the feed, and hits the backhand slice while moving slightly forward through the ball. A relaxed hand and open racket face help control the underspin. After the shot, the player uses shuffle steps to recover to the cone, ready for the next ball.
• Each player completes a series of 8 repetitions, then gives up the spot to the next player. Complete 3 to 4 rotations so everyone can repeat the stroke and absorb the preparation-movement-recovery rhythm.

The objective of this drill is to master the short, low backhand slice and use it in matches to bring the opponent forward and exploit the full depth of the court.

On-Court Setup:

Place the ball machine on the opposite side, slightly behind the baseline, and program it to feed balls to the backhand at a height and speed suited to the backhand slice. The players line up behind the baseline on the backhand side. One player takes the hitting position while the others wait and carefully observe the trajectory and spin produced.

How to Run the Drill:

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The machine feeds a ball to the backhand. The player hits a backhand slice, aiming for a short ball just behind the net with a very low trajectory. The ball should travel close to the net tape without rising too far above it and offering an attacking opportunity. After the bounce, the ball should skid and stay low, forcing the opponent to lift the next shot.

Emphasize the technique: contact underneath the ball with a relaxed hand, a slightly open racket face, and a forward follow-through to maintain control. Keep the eyes fixed on the contact point. After each shot, the player returns to the back of the line and the next player takes the hitting position.

This drill develops technical control of the backhand slice, refines touch, and improves the ability to vary shot depth. In a match, it builds the confidence to bring an opponent forward without taking unnecessary risks and to construct tactics around the full depth of the court. Once this backhand slice is mastered, the entire court becomes an ally.

The objective is to use the drop shot at the right moment and disrupt the rhythm.

How to Run the Game:

• Play a singles match. The first four shots are completely unrestricted.
• Starting with the fifth shot, either player may attempt a drop shot.
• After every successful drop shot, the player must approach the net. If the player remains at the baseline, the bonus point is automatically lost.
• A drop shot before the fifth shot is allowed only if the opponent is clearly positioned far behind the baseline.

(Image created with the ETDM software – Download it here)

Scoring System:

• A point won normally earns 1 point.
• A winning drop shot earns 2 bonus points.
• A drop shot followed by a winning volley earns 3 bonus points.
• A winning counter drop shot earns 2 bonus points.
• A drop shot played without tactical purpose, such as on a neutral ball or with the opponent close to the net, costs 1 point.

Rotation:

The winner stays on the court. The loser leaves and gives up the spot to the next player. After two consecutive wins, the winner rotates out so that everyone plays regularly.

Group Challenge:

During the matches, the group must complete 15 drop shots that bounce twice inside the service box and 10 winning counter drop shots.

The objective is to improve coordination, dexterity, and racket control, all of which are essential for mastering the drop shot.

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How to Run the Drill:

• Place two cones, one red and one yellow, approximately 8 meters apart.
• The 4 players line up behind the red cone. The first player holds the racket near the handle with a ball resting on the strings.
• The player at the front of the line begins bouncing the ball on the ground with the racket, looking for a consistent and controlled bounce.
• While maintaining the dribble, the player moves laterally from the red cone to the yellow cone, circles it, and then returns toward the red cone.
• As soon as the player circles the red cone to finish the course, the next player in line immediately begins dribbling and moving. This creates a continuous, fluid rotation, with each new player starting when the previous player crosses the line at the starting cone.
• Once the dominant hand has been mastered over several complete rounds, repeat the drill with the other hand.

Try to keep your head up as much as possible rather than looking only at the ball. The rhythm of the rotation depends on the consistency of each player’s dribble.

The objective is to develop drop-shot accuracy and control under realistic conditions against low balls traveling just over the net, as they would in a match.

How to Run the Drill:

• One player stands just behind the net inside the service box. The coach stands on the other side of the net, slightly farther back, with a ball basket.
• The other players wait behind the baseline for their turn and use the observation time to analyze the stroke.
• The coach feeds balls on a low trajectory so that they barely clear the net.
• The net player must then execute a perfect drop shot. The player gets underneath the ball and uses a small, gentle touch, almost caressing it so that it falls softly on the other side.
• The secret is in the hand: never tighten the grip at impact. Let the ball slide across the strings with light pressure to absorb its speed and control the pace. The drop shot should land short, just behind the net and as close to the tape as possible.
• Alternate between forehand and backhand to practice both sides continuously.
• Each player completes a series of 8 to 10 drop shots, then gives up the spot to the next player.

The coach can vary the height and speed of the feeds or require the player to move forward from the service line before hitting the drop shot to simulate movement.

(Image created with the ETDM software – Download it here)

This drill refines touch and hand sensitivity, improves control of low balls at the net, and builds confidence when attempting a drop shot in a match.

How to Run the Game:

• Play a singles match.
• The point begins normally.
• At any time, either player may attempt a lob.
• Every lob must be tactically justified.
• Stop the point only if the lob was completely inappropriate. For example: the opponent remained at the baseline, the ball was far too low, there was no pressure, and so on.

Scoring System:

• A point won normally earns 1 point.
• A winning lob earns 2 points.
• A lob that allows the player to recover to the center of the court earns 1 bonus point.
• An offensive lob followed by a winning approach earns 3 points.
• A lob hit directly out costs 1 point.

Rotation:

The winner stays on the court. The loser leaves and gives up the spot to the next player. After two consecutive wins, the winner voluntarily rotates out so that everyone plays regularly.

Group Challenge:

The entire group must complete 25 consecutive lobs that land beyond the opponent’s service line.

If just one lob lands too short, the count returns to zero.

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The objective is to execute a defensive backhand lob with fluidity and aggression, followed by an approach to the net and a winning volley, switching from defense to attack.

How to Run the Drill:

Player A starts near the baseline. The coach stands at the net on the opposite side of the court, ready to feed balls and respond to the lob. The other players wait behind the baseline for their turn and collect balls.

The coach feeds a ball to Player A’s backhand. Player A hits a defensive backhand lob, looking for height and depth to gain time to recover.
Immediately after the lob, Player A makes a quick and committed approach to the net. The player anticipates the coach’s reply and finishes the rally with a clean, well-placed winning volley.

Coaching Points:

• The defensive lob must be accurate and deep enough to unsettle the coach and prevent an easy overhead.
• The approach to the net must be explosive and well anticipated, with no pause after the lob.
• The winning volley must be placed with purpose into the open court or behind the opponent.
• Each player completes 4 to 6 full sequences, then gives up the spot to the next player. Emphasize execution quality before quantity.

This drill develops the ability to switch instantly from a defensive to an offensive position, improves lob-approach-volley coordination, and builds confidence when attacking after a defensive phase. Master this sequence and it can become a free point in a match.

• Four players play singles matches on two courts.
• Each match is played as a 7-point tiebreak.
• At the end of the tiebreak, rotate players across the two courts so that everyone faces a new opponent.

• The point can only be won after the rally has been constructed.
• If a player attempts a winner before the fifth shot, that player automatically loses the point.
• Exception: if the opponent makes an unforced error before the fifth shot, the point is won normally.
• Any ball that bounces in the deep target area defined before the session earns 1 bonus point.
• This bonus point is kept even if the player ultimately loses the point.
• A winner hit after a rally of at least six shots earns 2 bonus points.
• The tiebreak is played to the usual 7 points.
• Add the bonus points to the final score to separate the players if necessary.