350 Series: Skills & Drills Lab
DrivesĀ &Ā Transition Defense
Takeaways & Training Tasks
Keep the momentum rolling with these quick steps:
- Refresh your memory with the 2 skills, 2 drills, and training video.
- Knock out the drills 2ā€“3x before we meet again.
- Each time you play, pick one skill and make it your mission to useĀ it often and on purpose.
Top Spin Drive
- Grip: Eastern Forehand or Backhand
- Stance: Semi Open pushing through the shot
- Paddle Prep: 3/4 back swing with a low to high swing plane
- Contact Point: In front of the body and off to the side, transfer weight forward through the shot. Lead with top edge of the paddle
- Follow Through: out in front to the opposite shoulder with non dominant
hand acting as counter balance
Drive Ladder Spin & Depth
- Set up both players on the baseline straight on skinny
- Set out court strips to make a target depth in transition zone and the back
3rd of the court. - 1- Partner Feed hitting topspin drive alternating each depth - forehand and
backhand sides - 2- Partner Rally - targets on both sides of court and both players alternating
target depth with topspin drives.
Transition Zone Defense
- Contact Point: Out in front, approximately 12-15ā€¯ in front of toes.
- Weight Transfer: Allow weight to flow into your shot. Push the ball forward
with weight. - Body Positioning: Stagger your feet to allow ability to transfer weight.
- Hands: Soft hands and wrist to provide shock absorber for ball.
- Swing: Push forward through this ball. Do not swing up at it.
Transition Zone Time Out
- Players stand straight on, 1 player at NVZ and 1 at transition zone.
- NVZ player feeds slightly challenging ball to transition zone player.
- Transition zone player is stuck in transition zone until they hit a neutral/un-attackable ball. They can then move forward and play out the point.
- Go for timed round and then switch roles.
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