DRILLS FOR TWO PLAYERS
D-1
The two players rally, from the baseline, forehands cross-court aiming for a specific number of times that the ball should travel over the net (we assume they are both right handed players).
Example: Try to keep the ball in play until it crosses over the net at least 15 times. (for more advanced levels, go for 25-40 times).
Once this is achieved, switch to backhands cross-court (same drill).
D-2
The two players rally down-the-line as follows: player A hits only forehands down-the-line and player B only backhands down-the- line (assuming they are both right handed).
After about 5 minutes players switch sides (left and right) so that player A hits only backhands down-the-line and B only forehands down-the-line.
D-3
This next drill is all about consistency and control.
One of the players will hit every ball down-the-line while the other player hits only cross-court shots. (see graphic D-3)
After about 5 minutes, players switch roles so that whoever hit cross-court before now goes for down-the-line and vice versa.
This drill is challenging for players who are not yet very consistent but I would suggest to give it a try anyways.
D-4
For this next drill, both players are using only half court (alley included) - see graphic below.
Player A is at the net while B is playing from the baseline. Both players should have their pockets full with tennis balls ready to feed.
For this drill player A works on volleys and overheads consistency (hitting every ball back to player B) while B practices ground- strokes consistency. Once in awhile, player B should hit a ball up for A to practice overheads.
Switch roles after about 5 minutes.
D-5
For this drill, both players use only half-court. A basket of balls (or any number of balls available on the court) is next to player A who plays at the baseline. Player B is at the net ready for overheads.
The drill begins with player A feeding a lob for B. B will hit an overhead (medium pace) back to A who will block it as another lob which B, this time, will hit aggressively as a put-away overhead.
Switch roles after about 5 minutes.
D-6
This drill is called Alley Rally. That means the two players will attempt to rally making the ball land inside the alley as often as they can.
Players A and B begin every rally from behind the baseline and between the singles and doubles lines. One of them will feed the ball then the two players rally attempting to land the ball between the singles and doubles lines, opposite side.
Count every time the ball lands in the alley and once one of the players makes it successfully 25 times, they can stop.
Variation: One of the players can try to hit only backhands while the other player hits forehands. Or they can all go for only forehands or only backhands.
D-7
Two players position about half way between the service line and net and trade volleys back and forth.
After every shot, they move one step back and keep moving back; eventually they will get to rallying half-volleys and then ground- strokes once they get closer to and then on the baseline.
Once they make it to the baseline, they continue the rally but this time moving back towards the net.
They continue the rally using only one ball as they move from the net to the baseline and back.
Note: Good drill for consistency and control.
