Two teams play controlled rallies from the baseline. The goal is to place the ball so that it bounces on the opposite side between the T-line and the baseline. Every ball in this zone counts as one point. The special challenge: 20 valid balls must be played in a row. If a ball lands before the T-line, goes out, or the rally is interrupted, the count starts again at zero. Which team is the first to manage 20 deep balls in a row?
Training Goal
The focus is on controlled deep play. The aim is not to hit as hard as possible, but to make length repeatable by controlling flight path, net height, shot direction, and tempo.
A deep ball keeps the opposite side behind the baseline or at least makes moving forward more difficult. At the same time, it gives you more time to recover into a good covering position after your own shot.
The requirement of 20 hits in a row changes the task: one good ball is not enough. What’s needed is shot control, consistency, and a stable rhythm over many repetitions. As the score rises, pressure also builds – without losing the cooperative basic idea of the exercise.
Coaching Keys
- Consciously perceive the target zone between the T-line and the baseline.
- Play with sufficient net clearance and a controlled flight path.
- Do not create length solely through higher shot speed.
- Organize the contact point stably in front of the body.
- Continue the shot through the ball toward the goal.
- After each shot, return to a good covering position.
Possible Corrections
The ball regularly bounces before the T-line:
Do not create more length automatically with more power. Check net clearance, flight path, and shot direction, and continue the ball longer toward the goal.
More length immediately leads to more errors:
Reduce tempo. First find a flight path that reliably reaches the back zone. Only then increase shot speed.
Many balls land behind the baseline:
Do not confuse the task with maximum length. The goal is controlled depth within the court. Adjust shot speed and flight path accordingly.
As the score rises, play becomes more hectic:
Keep the previous rhythm. Especially at 15, 16, or 17 hits, do not suddenly play more cautiously or faster. The challenge also trains maintaining successful shot quality under increasing score pressure.
The position to the ball becomes unstable:
Organize footwork earlier and create enough distance to the ball. Controlled depth starts with a stable position at contact.
Progressive Increase
1. Get to know the target zone
First play without counting. Every ball should bounce between the T-line and the baseline. The goal is a controlled, repeatable rhythm.
2. Collect hits
Every ball in the zone counts as one point. First reach, for example, 5 or 10 valid balls in a row.
3. 20 in a row
Now the full challenge applies: 20 consecutive balls must bounce in the target zone. One error resets the counter to zero.
4. Make the target zone smaller
The allowed bounce zone is shifted further back, for example to the last third before the baseline. This increases the demand on length control.
5. Allow more shot speed
Play the same task with higher ball speed. The target zone remains the same – so speed must not come at the expense of control.
6. Play on the move
The balls are played increasingly wide or at varying lengths. After moving to the ball, you still have to play in a controlled way into the deep target zone.
7. Team challenge
Several teams compete against each other in parallel. The winner is not the team with the hardest shots, but the team that first places 20 deep balls in a row in the zone in a controlled way.
