Although tennis has become more and more a groundstroke game over the last 20 years, feeling comfortable at the net will make you a much more complete and confident player.
The drills on this section will help you polish your overhead and volleys, and will provide you with the tools you need to finish points and play an effective doubles game.
The feeder forces the intensive backhand overhead
The coach (or another player) feeds high on the backhand side and forces the player to jump and to play the backhand overhead. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free trial, o...
Passing shot game through the middle
Highly effective game for practicing the net game including passing shot situations. The net player feeds underhand from the middle T-line and stays there until the baseliner plays the first ball through the middle. To get acc...
Two Color Ball Movement Drill
The coach tosses balls to the student. He has a play-and-stay ball in his hand and a normal yellow tennis ball. The task of the students this time is to catch regular ball directly in the air. However... To get access to the...
Chinese Wall
Two players alternate playing singles against the "Chinese Wall". The double team is at the net. Each player player plays 3 points in a row against the doubles team. The singles player wins three points for a clean winner. Each other poi...
Half volley – Volley Drill
In this basket drill, we train the half-volley with our player. The player starts at th service line. The approach must force the player to a half-volley. Then he/she moves forward and plays a volley. To get access to the vide...
Volley-circle
A nice demanding rhythm exercise to work on volleys. The players stand on the service line. The coach puts a ball into play, the players play in a clear direction, a pair always down the line, the other always crosscourt. To...
Moving Diagonal Volleys
What makes a good volley training? The players should not be static but train the volley from many different positions. This exercise is one of many possible variations and a good preparation for a doubles game. To get access...
Volleyball Tennis in the “telephone booth”
One of the most popular games with coaches and players alike is volleyball tennis. An ideal preparation for all training content that has to do with the net game and a high challenge to coordinate skills such as orientation, balance but ...
Volleyball Tennis only Volley Allowed
Four players play in the service boxes plus allies. Each player must hit the volley to the partner before he/she plays the ball into the opposing field. All balls may only be played as volley. In this game a good footwork, ball feel an...
Control Stroke Game Switching and Volleying
Two players play points in the small field (without double field). Each player must bump the ball in a controlled manner before it is played across the net into the opposing field. To get access to the videos and premium medi...
Control Stroke Game Alternating Strokes
Two players play points in the small field (without double field). Each player must first receive the ball with a forehand or a backhand and set it up to the other side. To get access to the videos and premium media, just logi...
Head Tennis 1 Against 1
Two players play on one side of the service boxes. The task is to stop the ball with the racquet and hit it over with the head. The ball is allowed to bounce once before hit with the racquet. A nice warm up drill to work on coordin...
Volley Headers
Players play in one service box. The ball is not allowed to bounce. The players receive the ball with their racquet, bump it up and return it with their heads. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here...
Half Volley Game Singles
This is an advanced game in which two players rally with each other in the service boxes but have to use only half volleys. It requires great perception, footwork and feel. It is a great way for advanced players to warm up. ...
Two Against One with an Overhand Feed
In this game there are 3 girls u16 in club training on the court. The single player makes starts the point overhad. and an play anywhere on the court. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register ...
Volley on the Run with Preload
In this drill, two players are forced into a volley-passing shot situation. One player starts at the baseline, the otehr at the service line. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for ...
Doubles: Two up Two back
One of the most popular games in team training: four players in the field, all of whom are maximally active and must always be ready to play. The team who wins the first point, plays at the net. From there it goes back and forth. ...
Wall Drill: Close Contact Backhand Volleys in an Open Stance
There are many times at the net when the player has no time to move away from the incoming ball or has time to step towards it. In this case the player has to receive the ball with a firm wrist and block it in front of the body. This p...
Wall Drill: Backhand Volleys Across the Wall
An effective way to practice control on the volley is by moving up and back across the wall trying to keep a ball in play. In this exercise the player has to use his backhand to keep a wall rally going while moving forwards and backward...
Forehand Volleys across the wall
An effective way to practice control on the volley is by moving up and back across the wall trying to keep a ball in play. In this exercise the player has to use his backhand to keep a wall rally going while moving forwards and backward...
How to improve close contact Forehand Volleys with the Wall
The wall is a great place to improve the volleys. Having the player stand very close to the wall will force him/her to keep the wrist firm and use a very short swing. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login...
Volley/Groundstroke Mini
A player alternates hitting one groundstroke and one volley with a coach on one service box. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free trial, or become a member of „Tennis2Brai...
Quick Feet: Volley Drill after Feed from the Coach
The players stand next to each other at the “T”. The coach alternately throws a ball left for a forehand volley and then a ball right for a backhand volley. Both players should hit the volley and move diagonally forwards and then imm...
Topspin Forehand Volley: Following the Coach to the Net
The coach tosses the balls up with high frequency while moving backwards toward the net. The player should follow the coach executing topspin forehand volleys. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, ...
Getting to the Volley: on the Run “Short Sprint”
The player starts in the middle of the service line. The coach feeds the player a wide ball which the player should volley – striking downwards if possible. This drill is not designed to train the conventional sideways volley stepping ...
Backhand Volley Long Run
The player starts at the sideline and has to sprint almost across the entire court to reach the ball and put a volley away if possible. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free ...
Cross Game
The game is played in the two cross-court service boxes. Here is how to play: One player serves underhand from the service line. The other player is positioned at the service line. The server approaches the net immediately, and from this...
Doubles Combination
This game is played in the entire forecourt (incl. tramlines) by four players. It is a combination of volleyball tennis and slice with touch. The aim is to force the doubles pairs so far apart that a gap is left for a winner in the middl...
Ping Pong Rally
The game is played within the two service boxes (not including the tramlines). One player brings the ball into play by hitting a shot that bounces on his or her own side first before crossing the net. To get access to the vid...
Volleyball Tennis Singles
Two players play in opposing service boxes. To start the point, the two players face each other at the net. The point starts by one of the players playing the ball out of the hand in an upward motion over the net. To get acce...
Warming up: Alternating Volleys and Groundstrokes (Short Court)
Changing direction is a key issue for tennis players. This exercise focuses on moving forwards and backwards to hit. Here, both players have specific tasks to complete in the forecourt. One moves forward, alternating between a volley and...
Warming up at the Net
Here, the focus is on warming up strokes with one player hitting groundstrokes and one hitting volleys. However, there is a small, yet vital change. The baseline player should stand slightly within the baseline. In general, a volleyer te...
Warming up: 2 Hits and Change
Four players on the court, two at the net, two on the baseline. The coach feeds the first shot. All four players play with one ball. After two ball contacts, the players have to switch position. The active player always moves to the fron...
Volley in Motion – Rhythmic approach – Groundstroke and volley
Four players on court One player at the centre of the baseline One player in the middle of the forecourt Two players in a waiting position at the back of the court The coach feeds the first shot. To get access to the videos an...
Warming up at the Net: Up and Back
One player is at the baseline and one at the net. The baseline player moves the net player up and back by mixing lobs with short balls. The net player is not allowed to let the ball bounce. Both players try to keep the ball in play for a...
Half Volley – Volley Mini Tennis
Players play with a coach on one service box alternating one half volley and one volley. Training goal: This drill is designed to work on coordination. Load and Reps: A good exercise to warm up before a training unit for 2 to 3 minut...
Touching the Net and Hitting Overheads as a Team
Two players are at the net. They alternate touching the net and moving back to hit an overhead. The caoch alternates the feeds. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free tria...
Running Around to Hit an Overhead Moving Forward
The player starts at the middle of the service line The player moves diagonally backwards to touch a cone on the coache's command To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free trial...
Running Around and Hitting Overheads Inside out
The player starts in the middle of the service line. On command, he runs forward to touch a cone placed on his right side of the court. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a fre...
Short Overhead with a Jump
The player starts on the T and moves diagonally back towards a cone on command. As the player touches the cone the coach feeds a short lob towards the other side of the court. To get access to the videos and premium media, j...
Mixed Overheads
The coach mixes lobs in all directions and up and back. The player has to adjust and hit overheads. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free trial, or become a member of „Te...
Stroke Training: Forehand Approach, First Volley, Finishing Volley
The player hits three shots: An approach shot a first volley and a finishing vollley. The coach feeds all shots. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free trial, or become a m...
Low Volley Training
Two player stand on the service line, one on each side of the center line. The coach volleys from the other side of the net alternating one volley to each player. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login her...
Setting the Ball up to Hit Overheads in the Service Boxes
Girls of all ages tend to have a hard time hitting overheads - that is nothing new. But, in order to improve the overhead-just like our 15 to 17 year old recreational players in the video - it is important to design drills that... ...
Methodological Tools for the Net Game – Setting the Ball Up to Volley
A good volley requires stepping towards the ball at the right moment. In this drill we can see the girls working not only on their footwork but also on their contact point and ball control. The girls bump the ball up, and then hit it ove...
Points – Slice Lob vs Overhead Down the Line
One player is at the net and the other at the baseline. Players will play points on half the court including alleys. The player at the net starts the point. The baseline player can only hit slice lobs. The game ends when one of the playe...
Tossing to Practice High Volleys
Two players stand on the service line close to the center. The coach stands in front of them close to the net on the other side of the court. Each player alternates hitting a high volley. To get access to the videos and premiu...
Tossing to practice half volleys
The coach tosses the balls. Each player hits one half volley. The players hit low to high. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free trial, or become a member of „Tennis2Brain...
Hitting an overhead after the ball bounces
The players should allow each ball to bounce before hitting the overhead. The players are free to direct their shots as they wish. The coach should feed all over the court. To get access to the videos and premium media, just l...
Direct overhead
The players should hit the overhead directly out of the air. The players are free to direct their shots as they wish. The coach should feed all over the court. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, ...
Overheads Bounce or Air
Can the players decide what sort of overhead to hit? No! The coach should instruct them. After the feed, the coach should shout “bounce” (the command for hitting an overhead after the ball bounces) or “air” for direct overheads o...
Overhead on the jump – scissor kick
The player should touch the net tape with his racquet, then the coach feeds the player a lob... To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free trial, or become a member of „Tennis2B...
Overhead with scissor kick – touching the tape and hitting an overhead in a team
The players start this exercise in staggered positions in relation to one another Both players take turns to touch the net tape with their racquet Then the coach feeds the player with a thrown lob The players then hit the overhead down t...
Running around a short overhead – inside in
The players start on the service line On the coach’s signal, the players should move diagonally backwards to the forehand corner (right-handers to the deuce court) and touch the marker After that, the coach hits a high, short lob to th...
Running around and hitting the inside out overhead
The players start on the service line On the coach’s signal, the players should touch the marker (close to the net, in the middle of the right service box) After that, the coach feeds a high, slow lob to the backhand side. T...
Jumping forwards into the overhead
The players start on the service line On the coach’s signal, the player should move diagonally backwards and touch the marker After that, the coach hits a high, short lob to the front of the court on the forehand side The player should...
Backhand Approach and Backhand Volley Down the Line
The coach places the mini net parallel to the side line, between the service line and baseline (not quite in the middle). The players then have to play the following combination of shots: Forehand down the line (to the coach) Backhand sl...
Volleys and Half Volleys in the Short Court Alley
One player plays always a controlled forehand volley. The partner will alternate between one backhand half volley … … and one backhand volley. It is important that the players try to alternate the half volley and the volley every ti...
Volley in the Short Court Alley
Volley in the alley (mini tennis) Now we will use the alley to control the direction of the volleys as well as to control the direction of the volley step. One player plays forehand volleys the other one backhand volleys. To ...
The Left Arm on the Overhead
Here we work with young players on overheads. We explain the importance of the left arm to help create a natural throwing and swinging motion. Catch the ball with a straight arm after it bounces slightly to the right of your head. ...
Feel for the Grip
Our players use the Continental Grip for the backhand volley and the overhead and learn that you can use this grip to hit many different shots at the net. The coach feeds a high volley. The player stays close to the net and hits down on ...
Stroke Training: FH First Volley, FH Winning Vol
The players play 3 shots: Forehand to the coach, Forehand first volley to the target area, High volley angle. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free trial, or become a member ...
Stroke Training: Volleys with a Change of Direction
The players take turns hitting two volleys. The coach hits the first ball towards the “T”, or middle of the service line, the second ball low and short to the other side. To keep the shot frequency high, the player should play a cont...
Stroke Training: Volley and Half Volley
The players alternate between a volley and a half-volley close to the net. To keep the shot frequency high, the player should play a controlled volley back to the coach. In other words, the ball should remain in play. To get ...
Stroke Training: Short Angle Volley
The players hit three shots: Groundstroke to the coach (middle), Approach shot to the coach (middle), Volley to the outside (angle). To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free tri...
Stroke Training: Training the overhead after the ball bounces
The players should allow each ball to bounce before hitting the overhead. The players are free to direct their shots as they wish. The coach should feed all over the court. Goal of training Training the overhead after the ball bounces. ...
Points: Volley-King
Volley against the baseliner. The net player feeds a ball, and the point is played out on half the doubles court. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free trial, or become a mem...
Points: Return Crosscourt Approaching the Net
Players play on half the doubles court crosscourt. The server only has one serve. The returner has to approach the net at every return. The returner should start moving forward as the server tosses. To get access to the videos...
Points: Smash Down the line vs Slice Lob Down the line
Overhead against baseliner. The player at the baseline hits a lob after the net player starts the rally. He is not allowed to play a topspin lob on the first shot. After that, the point is played out down the line on half the doubles cou...
Half Court Points: Attacking Down the Line
Players play on half the singles court. The rally starts with a feed from the coach to one of the players anywhere the coach chooses. The player hits the first shot back to the coach. The coach volleys back to the side where the point wi...
Volleys: Mobility at the net
The coach should drive players from one side to the other. The balls are not allowed to bounce and even balls fed behind the players have to be played in the air. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here,...
Forehand Volley Long Run
The player starts at the sideline and has to sprint almost across the entire court to reach the ball and put a volley away if possible. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free ...
Tossing to Practice Low Volleys
Two players stand on the service line close to the center. The coach stands in front of them close to the net on the other side of the court. Instructions Each player alternates hitting a low volley. (One player hits forehand volleys, th...
Topspin Backhand Volley: Following the Coach to the Net
A player starts on the baseline. The coach stands in front of him with four balls in the hand. The coach tosses the balls up with high frequency while moving backwards toward the net. The player should follow the coach, let the ball boun...