Groundstrokes

The groundstrokes provide the foundation for the game and every coach should strive to help their students develop a consistent forehand and backhand with which to attack and defend.

This section is full of technical instruction and drills to help you improve this critical aspect of the game.

This category can only be viewed by members.

Hitting an Offensive Lob

Instruction, Lob

The most important aspect to hit an effective offensive lob is disguise. Ideally you need to be in an offensive position, fake a passing shot and change to a lob at the last second. Your goal is to hit the lob just above the opponent’s...

Complex Training: Backhand and Rotational Throw

Complex Training, Drills

The players should stand about three to four meters apart. To start with, they should adopt the open stance. The player should then hold the medicine ball with both hands and bring it so far back behind the body that it is behind the lin...

Place and Pick up from the Baseline

Drills, Live Ball Drill

Players rally from the baseline. They have to hit the ball to each other slowly, with control. In addition, each player starts with a ball in the non-dominant hand. After each hit the player will either place the ball on the ground or pi...

Backhands with High Five

Drills, Endurance, Live Ball Drill

The player hits backhands aiming at a group of cones set on the other side. After each backhand, he has to run back and give his partner a high five. This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.

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Blind Game

Drills, Live Ball Drill

The singles player plays one ball to the net player and one to either side of him. The net player hits a controlled volley back to the baseline player. The player behind the net player plays a neutral shot back, careful not to hit the ne...

Keep your Eyes at Contact

Drills, Live Ball Drill

An effective way to help you track the ball better is making sure that your head stays still until after you made contact with the ball. This exercise will help you understand this concept better.This post is only available to members. P...

Juniors – Forehand Rolling with Movement

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

In this exercises the players roll the ball to each other, forehand to forehand. The idea is to move the opponent wide, which will give players a chance to work on their lateral movement and recovery. The coach should correct their movem...

Juniors – Figure 8 with Two Hands

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

Novice players roll the ball with two hands on the racquet in a figure 8 pattern to start feeling how the racquet head angle affects the direction of the ball. The recommended grip is Continental with the dominant hand and Eastern Foreha...

Juniors – Rally in the Service Boxes

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

Novice players try to keep the ball in play in the service boxes counting how many times thay can hit it in the square without mistake. The coach should use a ball that allows them to have long ralllies. Players should use a type of ball...

Juniors – Groundstroke Intoduction – Players Tap Foam Ball over the Net

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

The coach shrinks the court using some plastic lines and placing them a few feet from the net. The players try to rally inside the lines with a foam ball. By keeping the court small, even total beginners can rally.This post is only avail...

Juniors – Backhand Introduction – Rolling a Foam Ball

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

One player stands on the service line and the other on the baseline. The players roll a foam ball to each other, backhand to backhnad. The players should stop the ball and roll it back. The coach works on the proper technique. A full fol...

Juniors – Introduction to Groundstrokes – Rolling

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

Rolling the ball to each other is a good way to introduce the groundstrokes. The coach needs to make sure that the players are bending their knees and keeping their torso erect. He/she should also make corrections about the contact point...

Juniors – Backhand Introduction – Rolling Backhand to Backhand

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

The players roll balls to each other using a backhand. The players should stop the ball and roll it back making sure they bend their knees and keep the torso upright. The coach should work on the basic technique.This post is only availab...

Juniors – Rolling Figure 8

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

The player holds the racquet with one hand (Continental Grip is suggested) and works on rolling a ball in a figure 8 pattern. The player should change the face of the racquet based on the direction that they are pushing the ball. The exe...

Juniors – Groundstrokes Beginners Control Shot Changind Sides

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

In this exercise beginners can rally using control shots to set the ball in a position where they can control it better to hit it over the net. The idea of the exercise is to stop the ball on one side, control it with one or more control...

Juniors – Crosscourt Down the Line Rolling

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

Two players face each other. One is on the service line, the other on the base line. One player will roll the ball cross court every time the other down the line. The players play on half court. The players should try to stop the incomin...

Juniors – Feeding with no Bounce

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

Players practice tossing the ball up and hitting it over before the ball bounces. It is important to explain to the players where and how they have to toss the bal (low and in front)l and to use a short backswing.This post is only availa...

Juniors – Feeding after a Bounce

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

Players practice tossing a ball up, letting it bounce and hitting it over aiming at targets. Players use different types of balls to learn to adjust. Make sure the players are tossing the ball in front of their bodies.This post is only a...

Juniors – Control in the Service Box

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

Players rally in the service box trying to keep the ball in play. The idea is to use very short swings and contact the ball in front of the body. The players should aim high over the net and aim at the middle of the square.This post is o...

Juniors – Groundstrokes – Toss Feed and Hit with Foam Ball

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

The coach feeds the ball underhanded. The players stand at the service line and hit it back to the coach so the he/she can catch it. The idea is to work on a simple stroke with control. The coach should make sure the players are hitting ...

Juniors – Grounstroke Introduction – Foam Ball no Net

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

The players stand on the baseline and the coach on the serviceline on the same side of the court. The coach hand feeds a foam ball and the players return it in such a way that the coach can catch it. The players practice hitting with sim...

Juniors – Mini Rally with Control Shot

Drills, Groundstroke Introduction

The coach sets a boundry line relatively close to the net shrinking the court. The players use a foam ball and try to rally on that shrunken court. The players use a control shot before hitting the ball over the net.This post is only ava...

Methodology – Backhands Sitting on a Swiss Ball

Backhand, Drills

The player sits on a Swiss ball and hits backhands. The coach feeds. The drill will force the player to stabilize the lower body and generate pace from the upper body.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.

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Crosscourt – Down the Line Plus 3

Drills, Live Ball Drill

Two players play a 30 ball crosscourt down the line. The coach feeds a ball in immediately after a mistake. As soon as they finish the rally, they play 3 points cross court.This post is only available to members. Please register or log...

Slice Approach Shot

Drills, Slice

Each player hits three shots: A backhand cross court, a forehand down the line and a slice approach backhand down the line.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.

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Blind Game

Drills, Live Ball Drill

Two player on the baseline and one at the net line up. The player without partner hits one groundstroke left of the net player, one at the net player and one right of the net player.This post is only available to members. Please regist...

The Role of the Non-Dominant Hand on a Slice Backhand

Instruction

The non-dominant hand plays a very important role on a slice backhand. It helps stabilize the racquet on the backswing and more importantly, it helps stabilize the trunk. Take a look at how this is done.This post is only available to mem...

How to stabilize the Body on a One-handed Slice Backhand

Instruction

A common mistake on the one-handed slice backhand is opening the body too early. This is especially common when hitting an approach shot. In order to avoid this, players should get comfortable using a carioca step when approaching the ne...

Hitting a Defensive Lob

Instruction, Lob

o hit an effective defensive lob use a very short backswing, get under the ball and hit straight up finishing with the racquet high.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.

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The Best Grip for a One-Handed Slice Backhand

Instruction, One-handed Backhand

The Clip discusses the best grip to use to hit an effective one-handed slice backhand.This post is only available to members. Please register or log in.

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1 – Backhand Slice on the Run

Drills, Slice

Points to 11 without serve The point starts with a running slice backhand. The slice player starts in the forehand corner. After the slice, the point is played out on the whole singles court. Scoring: Play to 11 without serve (10-10 the ...

The Shoulder Level Shot

Backhand, Forehand, Instruction

The shoulder level shot is used to attack a high ball from the opponent. The idea is to hit it hard and with little topspin. Technically, the player will prepare high, setting the racquet at the shoulder level. From there the racquet wil...

The Off the Bounce Shot

Backhand, Forehand, Instruction

Sometimes during a point you will be forced into a situation where you do not have time to back up and will have to take the ball right off the bounce. In these situations the most important thing is to shorten your backswing as much as ...

The Dipping Shot

Backhand, Forehand, Instruction

The dipping shot is hit with a great deal of topspin, low over the net and short. It is used for passing shots, angles, and approach shots. In order to hit a solid dipping shot you need to accelerate the racquet head with the forearm and...

Use Disguise on your Drop Shots

Instruction

The secret to an effective drop shot is not necessarily hitting it just over the net. More importantly is driving the opponent back before hitting it. Therefore the player needs to disguise the drop shot, using it in an attacking situati...

A Common Mistake When Lobbing

Instruction, Lob

A common mistake when lobbing is to look up too early therefore missing the sweet spot on the racquet head. A lob requires precision and a clean contact point. Keep your head still until the ball leaves your racquet!This post is only ava...