Move as One
Four on one court? Only one ball may be hit hard at a time.
Serve and Slide
A serves, then A and B slide to their favourite sides as one team. No opponents needed, just the movement.
How to play
- Before you start, agree as a team who plays the left side and who plays the right side.
- A serves from the side the score says. B stands on the same half, next to A. That is stacking: both start on one side so you can end up on the sides you prefer.
- Right after the serve, A slides across to their side. B holds or slides to theirs.
- 10 serves from one side, then switch sides. Aim for at least 8 clean slides out of 10.
- Mix even and odd scores, so you practise the slide from both starting sides.
Too easy? Too hard?
Too easy: Bring in two players to return: they hit short and aggressive returns, so the slide has to be quicker. Even harder: A serves shorter, so the return comes back faster.
Too hard: Stay on one score (even) until the slide feels natural, then add the odd score.
Good looks like: Both of you end up on your side without thinking about it, and you are ready for the next ball.
Return and Switch
B returns straight down the line, then you try both ways to reach your sides: crossing on the court, or A stepping on from outside.
How to play
- No opponents: start each rep with a feed (a soft, straight ball put into play from the other side instead of a real serve).
- Before every return, B signals whether you switch (open hand = switch); A says 'switch' or 'stay'.
- Round 1, on-court: both start on the court. B returns down the line (straight ahead, along the sideline), then crosses to their side. A covers the middle while B crosses.
- Round 2, off-court: A waits outside the court on the side A will play. B returns and goes straight to their side, no crossing.
- 10 returns per round, then swap who returns. At the end, pick the way that suits your team.
Too easy? Too hard?
Too easy: Play it with a serving team on the other side: they mix the pace and angle of the serve, and B still returns down the line and stacks. Even harder: a return only counts if it lands in the back quarter of the court.
Too hard: Practise one way at a time: stay with Round 2 (no crossing) until the signal and the step-on work, then add Round 1.
Good looks like: Every return goes down the line, the signal comes every time, and the middle is never empty while B crosses.
Catch Them Crossing
Four players: the return team stacks and switches, and the serving team attacks the player who is still crossing.
Only two of you?Play Drill 2 again: a return only counts if it lands in the back quarter of the court.
How to play
- Four players, two teams: one team serves, the other team returns.
- The return team stacks on the court and switches after the return, as in Drill 2, Round 1. Before every serve, they call the switch out loud.
- After the return, the serving team plays the next ball quickly at the crossing player, best at the hip or shoulder while that player is still moving.
- Goal for the serving team: the crossing player cannot block or reset cleanly.
- Play 10 points, then the teams swap: servers return, returners serve.
Too easy? Too hard?
Too easy: No call any more: the return team only shows a hand signal (open hand = switch), and the serving team has to read it and decide. Even harder: the return team may fake the switch, and the attack must come within the first two shots after the return.
Too hard: Keep the switch called out loud, and the serving team may wait for a good ball instead of attacking at once.
Good looks like: The serving team sees the switch coming and hits at the moving player, and the return team still gets to its sides as one.
That's 30 minutes.Good rally, everyone.