Notes & Homework

 Skill: Lob Serve

• Lob Serves slow down the bangers.
• Throws off their rhythm and doesn't give them any power to work with.
• Must get them deep!

Drill: Lob Serve & Lob Return

• Place a line of cones 3 feet inside the baseline to create a depth target.
• Players set up crosscourt from each other at the baseline.
• Players take turns serving lob serves to their partner who catches ball and then serves it back.
• Add in lob returns after a round of just lob serves.
• Improves lob serve consistency and depth.
• Improves ability to diffuse hard hitters with deep lob serves and returns.

Skill: Transition Zone Defense

• Contact Point: Out in front, approx 12-15” 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.

Drill: Transition Zone Trash Collector

• Players stand straight on, 1 at NVZ and 1 at transition zone.
• NVZ player feeds balls to transition zone player who has to reset/neutralize all balls back into NVZ.
• Feeds can be hit out of the air or off the bounce - variety is best!
• Timed 2 min rounds - feeder counts how many TZ player can get into the NVZ.
• Improves transition zone reset consistency and accuracy under pressure.