Drives That Hurt
Four on one court? Only one ball may be hit hard at a time.
Serve, Return, Drive, Counter
A serves and drives down the line, B returns, runs across to the kitchen and counters the drive.
How to play
- A serves cross-court from the right half (right as you face the net): into the back third, angled to B's forehand near the sideline, well over the net.
- B returns back toward A, near the sideline, high enough to give you time. Then B runs diagonally across to the other side of the kitchen line.
- A drives straight down the line at B's backhand. Only 40–60% power, 15–50 cm over the net.
- B split-steps, then counters with a short two-handed backhand (lefties: forehand), down toward the floor and deep.
- Stop after the counter and start again. Build it up: serve and return only until steady, then add the drive, then the counter. No points.
- Swap roles after about 50 chains.
Too easy? Too hard?
Too easy: Play the full chain each time and count clean chains out of 10. Then serve from the left half.
Too hard: B returns to the middle and runs to the middle of the kitchen line, and A drives down the middle. Less running.
Good looks like: 7 out of 10 chains with all four shots clean: serve deep near the sideline, return near the sideline, drive at the backhand low over the net, counter down and deep.
The 60% Drive
B hits a compact drive at 60% power to the cones at A's feet, then runs in. A says how it arrived.
How to play
- Put two cones (or bottles) about 1.2–1.5 m behind the kitchen line on A's side. A stands there, like an opponent who has not reached the net yet.
- From the baseline, B plays a hybrid drive: a compact swing at about 60% power, aimed at the cones, so it arrives at A's ankles.
- A tries to block it back and tells B: good ankle height, too high or too fast.
- B runs in to the net right behind the hybrid drive.
- A stands still for now.
- Swap roles after 8 balls.
Too easy? Too hard?
Too easy: A moves sideways while B hits. B has to place the hybrid drive where A is moving to, or behind A.
Too hard: B stays at the baseline and works only on the 60% swing and the ankle height, without running in.
Good looks like: Every ball arrives low at A's ankles, not at the body, and B is already moving in as it lands.
Swing and Charge
From mid-court, A swings at every ball above the waist and charges the net. Low balls get a soft reset instead.
How to play
- A and B both start at mid-court (halfway between baseline and kitchen line).
- A starts the ball at about half pace to B, then plays B's reply.
- Ball above A's waist: A hits a swinging volley (a full swing at the ball before it bounces) and charges the net behind it.
- Ball too low, below the net: A does not force it and plays a reset. That is the right answer, not a mistake.
- As soon as B has hit the first ball, B also moves forward. From there, play the point out, any shot allowed. No points yet.
Too easy? Too hard?
Too easy: Keep score, first to 7. Whoever loses the point starts the next ball.
Too hard: No live point: B just sends A balls, and A only practises the swing and the run to the net.
Good looks like: A brushes up the back of the ball, hits it out in front and finishes short, ready for the counter.
That's 30 minutes.Good rally, everyone.