The Practice Thread

[SlapShot]

BungaloBill inspired this one:

When you go out, how do you practice? What is an effective practice program for you? It may be great to have the guys who teach poke in here and add some really useful practice ideas.

When I head out with my usual practice partner, once we warm up, here's our usual progression:

Forehands CC (usually 10-15 minutes)
Backhand CC (again, usually 10-15 minutes)
Forehands DTL (5-10 minutes)
Backhands DTL (5-10 minutes)
Volleys (15-20 minutes)

After that, we usually play some points out, either a practice set or a couple of tiebreaks. We are usually hitting for ~ 2 hours.

When I work on my serve, I usually head out with a hopper on my own. I'll start by warming up, and then work on second serves, and work on locating them, and then work on first serves. I usually do some running drills when I work on my serve - the usual running lines, etc.

 

[drakulie]

For me, it depends.

One day, I may simply go out and practice volleys. Other days, the serve.

The last serious, "all-out" practice/drilling session I had was a few weeks ago. We started out playing mini tennis. Then volleying cross court shots. Then, progressed to one person standing cross court at the baseline (deuce side), while the other was at the net (diagonally). The net person vollyed everything back deep to the opponent, and gradually worked bak until they were standing behind the service line. Then we did the same thing but on the ad side.

Then we did cross court drills.

Then cross court drills, and anytime a ball did not go over the service line, the player had to approach the net, and play out the point.

We did down the lines, rallies, practiced returning serves (server standing at service line). Overheads.

Played out points (cross court only), etc.

We ended with playing a few tie breaks.

This session lasted over 3 hours.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I see, hmmm, let's keep it going. What else? Who else? Any coaches?

 

[Fumoffu]

Depends on my partner, really.

If it's someone I know can keep up in a match, we generally do a points where its 2 serves per person, per side. As in, I start on deuce side. I get to hit 2 serves, regardless of whether the first one was in or not. We play out the points, as if they are real points. Even if my first serve goes in, I still hit my second serve. A missed first serve does not count as a point to the receiver, however a won first serve point does give a point to the server. The drill, in my opinion, helps a ton with my first serve percentage and really makes me want to get them in. The pattern is Deuce-Deuce-Ad-Ad, with players 1 and 2 switching off. We do a drill like this either until we get bored, or a pre-decided value (Like first to 20 or 25 etc).

If it's someone a bit lower level than me, I generally come up with something quick on the spot that will help him improve and won't be a waste of my own time, IE if he has a poor forehand, I'm only allowed to hit balls to his forehand to improve my defense, while at the same time helping him prevent that shot from breaking down.

Another fun drill I've done is another "points" drill, where the only time a point counts is an unforced error (point to your opponent) or a point finished at the net. As soon as any player approaches the net, the point automatically becomes "valid" and so if the net man gets passed, its 1 point. If the net man wins, its 2 points. Greater incentive to mix up your game and try and work your way to the net, without being stupid and making a ton of errors on the approach. I've started them as either real points (akin to the first drill mentioned) or just started as rallies.

All in all, theres all sorts of different practices you can do, but in my opinion the most important thing is the focus of how you practice. It's great if it helps you improve, but you also should think about your partner (Unless its a coach you're paying, but in that case I'd assume he has something planned).

 

[Bungalo Bill]

So how does all of this improve your abilities in your matches? How does it help you win? How do you know? What tools do you use to measure your progress?

So, I am gathering we hit some balls a certain way, we play some points, work on some serves...that's it?????

Here is a link to think about:
http://www.mycoachonline.com/Tennis/SwindollK/Howto.lasso

 

[maleyoyo]

Every week I try to cram most of these into my schedule:
Spin class (1 hr) and ten-fit class (1h30).
Volleying against the wall 20 min (the one Bungalo Bill suggested).
40 min FH and BH against the wall
1/2 hr serving with cones as targets
Live hitting with junior players in my club or with a college player (for 20 bucks an hr)

 

[drakulie]

So how does all of this improve your abilities in your matches? How does it help you win? How do you know? What tools do you use to measure your progress?

1. This intense drilling Ive been doing lately, has definitely helped me with fitness/stamina.

2. Making me **MUCH** more confidenct in my strengths and weaknesses. In saying weaknesses I mean the following>>>>> The drills assist me in getting better/recognizing my weaknesses, and/or learning how to cover it up/protect it better.

3. Better movement on court.

4. Recognize different shots and react quicker, where I am not even thinking about it.

5. Better court positioning.

6. Having a plan before th point starts.

7. recognizing my opponents strengths/weknesses.

8. etc.

All-around, the drilling I have been doing, and especially doing them with nationally ranked players, has helped me improve drastically.

 

[Fumoffu]

Gives me the confidence to reproduce the shots I've hit in practice. Let's me know what I'm capable of, at least physically. Not going to call myself a mental giant, but I don't tend to lose matches because I lose my head, I tend to lose because the other player was just better than me. BTW the site's link says you need a paid account.

 

[Defcon]

My latest drill which has helped immensely :-

- me and my partner play on one half, with the doubles alley. My partner will be at net and me at the baseline.

- He can only volley beyond the service line (no short, angled, or drop volleys), I can hit no lobs.

- we continue till I pass him. It must be a clean pass. If he gets a racket on the ball it doesn't count. Then we switch.

This drill teaches anticipation, form, and planning for your next shot.

 

[WildVolley]

As a coach, I encourage my students to work on multiple skills in a single session. This is supported by the research I've seen on learning. As a general rule, 15 minutes of practice for two days in a row on a skill gives faster learning than 30 minutes of practice condensed into one day.

A potential practice might start out with a brief warmup of a lap of light jogging, running backwards, and shuffle and crossover steps, followed by mini-tennis.

After that, players back up and hit to each other on a half court until warm. Then say crosscourt forehand and backhand rallies with a goal of 15-clean hits in a row or so. Then net work, first to each other both at net, then perhaps the Romanian volley drill. If that works, one player backs up and the other stays at the net.

Usually, we then practice serve and return (various drills - all second serves, targets, etc). Some days they play out points after the serve is warmed up. Other days, we'll play King of the Court starting with three cleanly hit rally balls to your opponent before the point is on.

I'm still learning how to coach. I've found that once players are warm, it is best to have drills where scoring is kept in order to put pressure on players and keep some from always trying to hit winners and never considering unforced errors.

 

[TonLars]

I dont have anything too new or different really from whats been said. But one main thing for me, in my development, was during the practices in any of these ways, I always have made an all out effort to hit every ball hit my way. Even when its long (to practice the short hops off the bounce, or swinging volleys in the air that would be done for mid-court floaters), or wide (pride in not letting balls get by me). And trying to get everything on one bounce. Even if it goes over into the next court. Also, I imagined every practice rally as an actual point. I wasnt keeping score or trying to hit to the corners away from someone, but from the first couple rallies, I focused and tried not to miss or else felt like I lost a point. And the same reason for going after every ball, and it really worked on the footwork, speed, and conditioning.

The usual routine for the last several years has been to start out rallying hard at the baseline doing the above, then once in a while come up and take volleys, and then play out alot of baseline games, or sets/tiebreaks.

 

[WBF]

I do the same thing TonLars described in his first paragraph, minus balls on other courts. It's good conditioning, as my fiancee is starting out her third year after first touching a tennis racquet

When I get the chance to hit with more talented players, it all depends on them (doesn't happen too often). Groundstrokes and/or volleys for 30-60 minutes, 30-60 minutes of point or game play. Everything done as mentioned in the first paragraph. During matches I often work on the conservative aspects of my game (working on keeping it in and avoiding errors rather than working on ending the point).

One of my favorite rally drills in college was having each person either hit down the line or cross court. Good fitness conditioning (I used to be *red* after these drills). I also enjoyed working on backhands or forehands using a single alley only, keeping it within the alley, deep, and over a higher than usual net.

 

[spiritdragon]

well, first we usually hit a few balls casually for warmup, then we play out point, and lastly we play tiebreaks/sets.

 

[J011yroger]

One of my favorite rally drills in college was having each person either hit down the line or cross court. Good fitness conditioning (I used to be *red* after these drills). I also enjoyed working on backhands or forehands using a single alley only, keeping it within the alley, deep, and over a higher than usual net.

I love that drill when one person hits only XC and the other only hits DTL where you run back and forth.

The keeping it in the dubs alley drill is also something I do, but it is pretty difficult for me if I stand in the middle of the dubs alley and just hit FH or BH depending on where the ball comes in. My balls just have that natural tail on them because I hit the outside of the ball so much in situations like that. The fact that it is difficult at first probably means that it is a good thing I am practicing it If I just camp to one side or the other and only hit FH or BH then that is pretty easy.

J

 

[SlapShot]

WBF - that sounds like a good drill. I'll have to give that a shot.

I actually really liked one drill that I've done - it was a feed from across the net, and you hit one forehand CC, one DTL, and then one inside out. I was really sucking wind after a few of these.

 

[NoBadMojo]

here's what my regular practice partner and I do. if i am structuring a practice session for a lesson it may be different, but this one covers it all and works well for my hitting pal and me

5-10 minute warm up consisting of short court and easy baseline hitting...we shoot the sh*t and get caught up on stuff while doing this

we play games. tiebreakers, 7/11's, and the doubles drill

we then go to
-crosscourt forehands
-crosscourt backhands
-as above but one up and one back and throw in the occassional lob
-t to t volleys with lob volleys thrown in..at that point, it is played as a point
-inside out forehands
-alley rallies on both sides

optionally, we may throw in the 'injured guy drill', modified romanian davis cup volley drill and who knows what else. cool down would be some easy t to t volleys.

we use 6 balls and only take a minutes water break from time to time and things are kept moving using 6 balls. 1.5 hours should be enough to get most people tired if the drills are done properly and rallies are sustained with intensity, proper footwork, and good batspeed

 

[5263]

My favorite drill is the 2 at net vs one on baseline, where you rotate thru all the positions during the drill.

Baseline player is really pushed to hit accurate, crisp, passing shots off the various volley rtns.

Volley positions give great work on shifting, stagger, and quick closing volleys from IVP.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

1. This intense drilling Ive been doing lately, has definitely helped me with fitness/stamina.

2. Making me **MUCH** more confidenct in my strengths and weaknesses. In saying weaknesses I mean the following>>>>> The drills assist me in getting better/recognizing my weaknesses, and/or learning how to cover it up/protect it better.

3. Better movement on court.

4. Recognize different shots and react quicker, where I am not even thinking about it.

5. Better court positioning.

6. Having a plan before th point starts.

7. recognizing my opponents strengths/weknesses.

8. etc.

All-around, the drilling I have been doing, and especially doing them with nationally ranked players, has helped me improve drastically.

There are several areas many practices and practice plans are missing:

1. Intensity: It is difficult for many players to push themselves harder then they pushed themselves last practice. It is also difficult for players to work on things they find are boring, or don't like to do, like running, sprints, footwork drills, etc...

IMO, intensity in practice is one of the most important areas to ensure is incorporated in your practice that will definetly transfer to the match. I have found nothing better then tough physical training/exercise to build mental toughness, concentration, confidence, and intensity in a players matches. Ask yourself a question, how intense are your practices? Can you measure progress? What do I mean by proress?

2. Balance: The other area that most practices and practice plans are missing is balance. Balancing movement and mechanics. Most practices and lessons, are geared way too much on just how your arm moves to hit a ball. A tennis player must balance this with movement training alone and movement training while hitting a ball. Further, balancing your training also means shoring up weaknesses or working on areas you normally bypass, like service returns.

3. Feedback and incorporation: Feedback comes from both your matches and your practices. Your feeedback from each needs to be analyzed, prioritized, and incorporated into your practices to help build you up. Setting up your practices where you carve out time to work on match situations or shore up some trouble strokes is important so that you can measure your progress.

4. Goal setting: How many of you have goals? Goals should be centered around your match statistics. Things like doubles fault percentages, 1st serve percentages, errors on the forehand side, etc... Obviously, there are other goals like speed goals, or doing a drill better. However, carefully sittin down and working on this will help you.

 

[quicken]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH2l9khi5RU

pretty easy stuff...

 

[chess9]

Some things I do:

1. Suicide drills, per WBF above. Great conditioning. Keep count of the number of rallies. Go for consistency, not winners.
2. Service/Receive practice. The server hits second serves and tries to place the ball. The receiver returns the ball to a designated spot. Each man does 10 service points, then you switch.
3. I do BB's wall drill about twice a week. I warmup on the wall every day for at least 30 minutes as well. I use the wall to groove my stroke, aiming for chalk squares on the wall. (I have chalk in my bag.)
4. Lobs and overheads. At least 25 of each during drilling sessions. I try to hit some topspin lobs every session.
5. Volley drills include an easier version of the Romanian Volleys where you stand half-way between the service line and net. They are a bit faster paced. Also, Romanian Volleys for those longer volleys you always get and many guys net because they don't hit them with the right pace.
6. Service practice always includes my radar gun. I start out hitting serves against the wall earlier, then proceed to the court where I hit second serves for about 25-30 serves, then about 50 first serves, 25 into each court. Because of my age, I'm careful of my shoulder and elbow, so if I'm feeling tired or wingy I stop.

After drilling, I usually play one or two sets of singles and three or four sets of doubles. Then bike home.

-Robert

 

[chess9]

Oh, regarding goals, mine are:

1. Stay fit is the first priority;
2. I'm trying to keep my footspeed, so I run down everything in drills and practices and do some on court footwork drills.
3. Topspin backhand is an improvement project as I'm an old one handed slicer. It's actually getting better, but slowly. This is my main tennis related goal-to hit the topspin backhand consistently.

-Robert

 

[herosol]

sets baby.


learn to compete
learn to win
be a better tennis player

 

[J011yroger]

6. Service practice always includes my radar gun.

I almost never practice serves with the radar. It is just another unneeded distraction for me. I have enough trouble serving when everything is perfect. I would rather just focus on perfect tosses and clean smooth contact.

Maybe once every couple of months I will drag out the radar, just to see. But I would bet any amount of money I serve harder without it there, when I just try to be smooth, than when it is and I try to serve hard. (funny how that works, maybe some day I will actually get it.)

J

 

[Gmedlo]

Any coaches/instructors have examples of their juniors' practice schedules they could elaborate on?

 

[The Home Run Kid]

I was wondering about how to tailor my practice routine.

I'm weak in technique, and I lack a strong foundation with which to play, so it's obvious that I need to work out that before I can progress to anything more complex. And that's cool, if it helps me get better, I'll do it. I've ranked below what I feel the most important fundamentals are in terms of learning, and the order in which I am most confident with those skills, with 1 being the most important/confident.

Importance
1. Footwork
2. Groundstrokes
3. Serve
4. Volleys/Net Game
5. Overheads

Confidence
1. Volleys/Net Game
2. Groundstrokes
3. Overheads
4. Footwork
5. Serve

The thing is, while I want to focus on my weaker areas (footwork/serving), I want to get some of everything, too, because that way it becomes ingrained and is able to be reproduced at will.

Then there is the problem of conditioning. I'm not too horribly worried about it RIGHT NOW, because at my current level, I can get by with what I got. Of course, I know that as I improve, I'm gonna need to work on it. But right now, there are only so many hours in a day, so I can't get everything I want to get accomplished accomplished. So what should I focus on primarily, and what is okay to push to the back burner for the time being? Thanks a lot guys.

 

[chess9]

I almost never practice serves with the radar. It is just another unneeded distraction for me. I have enough trouble serving when everything is perfect. I would rather just focus on perfect tosses and clean smooth contact.

Maybe once every couple of months I will drag out the radar, just to see. But I would bet any amount of money I serve harder without it there, when I just try to be smooth, than when it is and I try to serve hard. (funny how that works, maybe some day I will actually get it.)

J

LOL! Well, I use the radar gun as an aid to keep me on the fundamentals. If my second serve is consistently in the 80's, then I know I'm smooth and accurate (assuming the balls are going in). But, speed isn't everything, and overhitting IS a danger with the radar gun. I have some different problems at my age than you do. I have a slight tendency to not bend my knees as much, and not have as much of a vertical component. It's understandable, but I try to work on that element a bit, and the radar gun helps me understand how much the vertical element is contributing to the serve.

-Robert

 

[Determined]

Drills are good and all but once you get to a certain level you learn alot more from sets even just rallying is perfect. When I go on a court I just rally and work on things that I think need help. Most of the time it's just footwork and watching the ball. Still I don't recommend just rallying unless you have some experience in tennis and can keep the ball in the court with good form. One to one drills with focuses are extremely helpful.

With a partner that hits back:
Cross court forehands, backhands, volleys both at service line hitting back to each other.

I think mini tennis is good for footwork. You have to learn to take it on the rise and get in position quick in minitennis because the ball comes back quicker when you're only a couple feet away from your opponent. If you play minitennis for even an hour it's a workout. Your legs will be killing you.

 

[chess9]

Nice thread, btw.

Good thinking, Slapshot.

-Robert

 

[SlapShot]

Nice thread, btw.

Good thinking, Slapshot.

-Robert

It's courtesy of Bungalo Bill. He mentioned it, I made it.

For me, what I've found lacking in my matches (and what I should really work on in practice) is execution. I've got the fundamental strokes, but when it comes time to make them all work together, I stall.

Anyone got any practice techniques for point construction?

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Every week I try to cram most of these into my schedule:
Spin class (1 hr) and ten-fit class (1h30).
Volleying against the wall 20 min (the one Bungalo Bill suggested).
40 min FH and BH against the wall
1/2 hr serving with cones as targets
Live hitting with junior players in my club or with a college player (for 20 bucks an hr)

Spin class is great crosstraining and general fitness stuff. You also need to maybe trade one of those classes for on-court workouts. They need to be as intense as possible with the goal of doing them faster and for a longer duration.

Remember tennis is more of an anerobic sport then an aerobic one.

I think this is what I am trying to get to. Each player that posted needs to really take a hard look at their training. It needs to complement your efforts to improve in your matches with REAL benefit.

If your practices are loosely tied or vaguely tied to your match results, then you need to improve in this area as well.

 

[maleyoyo]

Spin class is great crosstraining and general fitness stuff. You also need to maybe trade one of those classes for on-court workouts. They need to be as intense as possible with the goal of doing them faster and for a longer duration.

Remember tennis is more of an anerobic sport then an aerobic one.

I think this is what I am trying to get to. Each player that posted needs to really take a hard look at their training. It needs to complement your efforts to improve in your matches with REAL benefit.

If your practices are loosely tied or vaguely tied to your match results, then you need to improve in this area as well.

Thanks for your feedback BB. I'm going to add this post to my notebook which contains many posts of yours.
And your are right... the only on-court workout I have now is tennis-fitness class in which we continously run and hit balls for 1h30.
For adults my age, those structured workouts you mentioned are hard to find unless I do it solo or join the juniors at the local club, but I'm going to look into it.

 

[SlapShot]

Does anyone have any solid drills for working on service returns?

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Does anyone have any solid drills for working on service returns?

Several things come to mind:

1. Work on our step-out with the foot closest to the ball.

2. Work on your directional movement to a wider ball (should be somewhat diagonol.

3. Work on having someone from either no-man's land or at the service line serve balls to you to get used to a quick stroke.

4. Stand with your back to the fence. Have someone hand feed balls to your backhand and forehand. Hit the ball using your movement into the ball and using a veyr short takeback for obvious reasons. You want to get used ot hitting a return with your movement and a short stroke.

 

[SlapShot]

Several things come to mind:

1. Work on our step-out with the foot closest to the ball.

2. Work on your directional movement to a wider ball (should be somewhat diagonol.

3. Work on having someone from either no-man's land or at the service line serve balls to you to get used to a quick stroke.

4. Stand with your back to the fence. Have someone hand feed balls to your backhand and forehand. Hit the ball using your movement into the ball and using a veyr short takeback for obvious reasons. You want to get used ot hitting a return with your movement and a short stroke.

I hadn't heard of #4 - that's a good one.

I think myself and another member of my team are going to go out and work on #3 for a while - we both find our returns a little lacking at the moment.

 

[NoBadMojo]

Drill for returns:
In addition to what BB said, you could do the Doubles Drill. play points using only half the court including the alleys. Start off with everything x-court. Then switch it off to everything up the line. This is great practice, especially for the service return as you must control the service return.

I encourage people to strive for variety in their service returns. Be unpredictable...mix it up

A general problem most people have w. service returns is they dont have an explosive first step to the ball. I can usually get them returning serves better by widening their platform (stance), and concentrating on really pushing off hard with the inside of their push off leg..you want to think you are exloding both laterally and forward into the ball...you can get a lot of work on the ball with a compact swing this way if given service pace to work with.

Watch the pros..they all operate from a wide platform on their push off into the ball. some of them have even incorporated this into their baseline game

 

[montx]

Another good routine is to keep your returns cross-court which is good practice in return games.

 

[SlapShot]

Drill for returns:
In addition to what BB said, you could do the Doubles Drill. play points using only half the court including the alleys. Start off with everything x-court. Then switch it off to everything up the line. This is great practice, especially for the service return as you must control the service return.

This one sounds like it's gold, as well. I think I'm going to start working on this.

I'm so drilled into simply working the return XC (too much doubles lately ) that moving it around can be tough.

 

[chess9]

Some days I'll play 2 to 3 hours of singles, then get dragged into some doubles. What I notice after awhile is that my service returns become very ragged as I tire. This is almost entirely due to sluggish legs. I mention this because I think it emphasizes BB's point that a good lateral step out and foot movement is key. Agassi's idea about pressing the chest forward also doesn't work if your legs are dead because you will be late.

So, one of the causes of poor services returns is weak legs/weak footwork.

-Robert

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Some days I'll play 2 to 3 hours of singles, then get dragged into some doubles. What I notice after awhile is that my service returns become very ragged as I tire. This is almost entirely due to sluggish legs. I mention this because I think it emphasizes BB's point that a good lateral step out and foot movement is key. Agassi's idea about pressing the chest forward also doesn't work if your legs are dead because you will be late.

So, one of the causes of poor services returns is weak legs/weak footwork.

-Robert

Because the service return and the upper body (for the most) part lacks a full racquet takeback,

The big keys are:

1. Explosive first step as NBM mentioned.

2. A good shoulder rotation back and forward (which is all you need), little to no takeback

3. Good footwork to set quickly, balance, and step (which lends itself to all of the posts and all of the above)

Key to good returns is your footwork. If you have poor footwork in your groundstrokes and volleys, this will most likely be magnified in your service returns.

The drills above work on all of this stuff. Good luck!