Next Level 350 Series
Thank you for attending Lesson 4 of our 12 week Training Series! Please note that lessons do not have to be taken in numerical order. You are welcome to start anytime during the 3 month rotation.
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Here are your notes and homework from class. Keep practicing to solidify all you learned.
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Looking forward to seeing you next week!
Notes & Homework
Skill:Â Return of Serve Strategy
- Emphasis should first start with return depth to prevent drives and keep opponents pushed back.
- Best placement for return of serves are down the line or in the middle.
- Middle causes confusion but is also more favorable to the hard hitters that drive the 3rd ball.
- Down the line is most offensive but also hardest to hit with accuracy.
Drill: Target Returns
- Place pile of cones in the outside corners deep in each service box on one side of the court.
- Players set up cross court from each other on the baselines, 1 side is server and 1 side is returner.
- Server will set up on the same side of the court as the targets.
- Server will alternate hitting serves to their opponent's forehand and backhand.
- Returner must return all serves at the target cones down the line from them.
- Go for 2 min round, switch from odd/even side. Gather up balls, change server return roles and repeat.
Skill:Â Transition Zone Swing Volley
- Weight Transfer: Load and rotate to allow weight to flow forward into your shot. Plant and then push through contact.
- Body Positioning: Step into the shot using weight transfer for power. Multiple small prep steps are better than fewer large steps.
- Hands: Eastern grip with laid back wrist.
- Swing: Swing through the ball like drawing a Nike swoosh to the side of you. Low to high swing plane. No backswing behind the body.
Drill:Â Drop, Attack, Volley
- Set up 3 cones on the sideline as guides: 1 at baseline, 1 at mid-court, 1 at NVZ. 1 player at the baseline and 1 player at NVZ straight on.
- NVZ player feeds a ball to each cone depth.
- Baseline player hits a drop from the baseline walks forward to transition, hits a swing volley attack at mid-court, then a volley from NVZ.
- Focus is on footwork and not overrunning the attackable ball. Accelerate forward to attack the ball and use your weight transfer to create power.
Skill: Ball Recognition - Depth
- Recognize the depth of the ball coming at you early so you can prep sooner.
- Short = Move Forward and possibly attack
- Stay = Neutral ball - focus on good placement
- Back = Back up and hit a more defensive shot if you are on back foot.
