Hi friends!

Here’s a group drill designed to help you move back efficiently on a deep cross-court backhand ball while maintaining good balance to hit a precise reply.

The goal is to learn how to adjust by moving backward on a deep backhand-side ball, to play a safe cross-court shot while staying balanced throughout the movement.

Drill execution:

• Players A, B, C and D line up at the back of the court.
• The ball machine is set up cross-court in the opposite baseline area and delivers long, deep cross-court balls.
• Player A steps onto the court, moves backward to adjust to the ball’s trajectory, hits a cross-court backhand, then returns to the end of the line.
• Player B steps in and repeats the sequence. The rhythm stays smooth with regular rotations.

Each player performs several sequences, focusing on footwork quality and maintaining balance during the hit.

(Image created with ETDM software – Download it here)

Mastering the backward adjustment on deep backhand balls helps you stay competitive in rallies and avoid unforced errors when off balance. It’s an essential skill for handling defensive phases from the baseline.

Download this drill in PDF format