GAMES FOR TWO PLAYERS
G-1
The two players rally from the baseline.
Players count the number of times the ball goes over the net during the rally.
The player who wins the rally gets the number of points equal to the number of times the ball crossed over the net during the rally.
Example: If the ball traveled 22 times over the net, the winner of the rally gets 22 points.
If the next rally is won by the other player and, as an example, 14 balls went over the net - then the score is 22-14; and so on...
Add the number of points from each rally the players win. Play first to win 100 points.
Note: This is a good drill for improving consistency and focus.
G-2
The two players compete against each other. One of them is the server, the other one the receiver positioned on the opposite side. Each one starts from 0 points.
Scoring: If the server wins then the score increases by 1 point (+1); if the receiver wins the score decreases by 1 point.
Example: If the server wins first two points, the score would be +2. If the receiver wins the next point then the score goes down to +1.
Keep playing until the score becomes +3 (server wins) or -3 (receiver wins). Then switch players’ roles and or sides of court.
Great game to learn concentration and how to keep the momentum going in your favor.
G-3
The two players rally from the baseline.
They both should be looking for opportunities to go to the net because if they win the point and their last shot was a volley or overhead they receive 3 points instead of one. If they win the point in any way other than a volley or an overhead, they receive only one point.
Play first to 21.
Note: This game encourages transitioning to the net; also for the baseline player it teaches them to hit the ball low to the approaching net player.
G-4
Two players on the baseline on opposite sides. One of them is the server, the other the receiver.
Each game consists of 10 points; the server keeps serving until the game is over (when one player wins 10 points by a margin of two).
Trade serves after the game is over.
Play first to win 3 games.
G-5
Player A is the volley player and starts from the service line, having a bunch of balls nearby. Player B is the ground-stroke player who begins the rally from the baseline, opposite side. Both of them cover only half court (alley included).
Player A practices volley control, consistency and transitioning to the net; player B works on ground-strokes consistency, accuracy and quick preparation.
The rally starts with player A taking a ball from the basket and feed it to B while moving up towards the net.
The ball is hit back and forth between the two players until one of them misses.
Once the rally is over, player A goes back to the service line, picks up another ball and starts a new point.
Play to 11 then switch sides and roles.
Note: This is a very simple tennis drill yet very efficient for practicing volleys and ground-strokes especially for improving doubles play.
