Notes & Homework

Skill: Third Shot Drive

• Contact Point: Out in front approx 12-15 in front of front foot.
• Weight Transfer: Load and rotate. Extending forward through the ball with weight transfer.
• Body Positioning: Don’t let shoulders go up and down. This affects the weight transfer and ball flight.
• Hands: Reach forward with non paddle hand on forehand drive. Use a laid back wrist and eastern grip to create topspin.
• Swing: Short Backswing-paddle butt to back hip. Swing plane to the side to initiate kinetic chain.

Drill: Drive, Drop, Surprise

• Set up 3 cones on the sideline as guides: 1 at baseline, 1 at midcourt, 1 at NVZ.
• 1 player at the baseline and 1 player at NVZ straight on.NVZ player feeds a ball to each cone depth. Feed 3 individual balls.
  • Ball #1 - Shallow and High for Drive
  • Ball #2 - Low Drop
  • Ball #3 - At NVZ - Surprise them - Dink or Smash
  • Partner hits a drive from the baseline walks forward to transition, hits a drop attransition, then a dink from NVZ. Focus is on shifting gears and being focused anddeliberate through transition.

Drill: Drop or Drive Skinny Singles

• Place cones 2/3 back in service box for a parameter on depth.
• Players set up on the baseline straight on skinny. This is played down the line only.
• Players play out full points from serve on but are only allowed to hit to the half of thecourt that they started on.
• Players are making choices on their 3rd shot whether to drop or drive.
• Scoring: Possession scoring and side outs just like regular doubles play.

Skill: Drive Placement Strategy

• 3 Options:
  • Open Court: gaps between or behind opponents or in front of a slow returner.
  • Middle: best if you are hitting from the middle zone.
  • Straight Ahead: Jam up the person in front of you.