Skills and Drills Video Libraries

Watch the Video

N1, N2, N3

• N1 is the serving team’s points
• N2 is the receiving team’s points
• N3 is the 1^st or 2^nd server on that rally.

Example:  3,5,2

• Serving team has 3 points, receiving team has 5 points, and the 2 means it is the second server on that rally serving.

Even side right side facing the net. Odd side is the left side facing the net.

Each player gets to serve.  The only exception is the first serve of the game.  It starts as 0,0,2, meaning no one has any points and only one member of the initial serving team get to serve on the first rally.

Watch the Video

Must serve cross-court.  Must hit inside the receiving service area. All lines are considered in except the NVZ line.

Cannot step into the court or on the line until you make contact with the ball.

Better not to step onto the court at all in case you get a deep Return of Serve, and the ROS MUST bounce before you can hit it.

Drop serve. (7.D.1 – 7.D.4)  No limit on the number of bounces.  Ball can bounce anywhere, there are not restrictions.

I suggest always using targets to practice.  Aim for the back 7’ of the receiving court.

Watch the Video

Deep returns are usually the best shot.  Deeper does not mean harder.  Soft deep shots can allow you time to get to the NVZ where most of your points are scored.

Don’t get caught running in the transition zone after if you hit a hard ROS.  Stop and wait for your shot.

Set – lofty return – rush in is possible.  “Kitchen Position” is the name of the game.

Watch the Video

You need to be ready for a wide variety of shots.

Paddle high at NVZ, around chest level after every shot.  Touch paddle face with the non-dominant hand after each shot to get in the habit of returning the paddle to the ready position.

Paddle should be out in front of the body.

Paddle position is lower the farther back from the NVZ you are.

Watch the Video

Grip.  Contential style grip (handshake style).  Loose grip of around 3 out of 10.

Compact, short, consistent stroke.

Use your legs, weight on the balls of your fee with knees bent.  Do not stand upright.

When hitting, give yourself a margin over the net.  Where the ball lands is what determines a good shot, not how high or low over the net the ball goes.

Focus on keeping your opponent contact point low when they hit the ball, not on whether the ball lands in the NVZ or not.

Watch the Video

Reset or Block Shot.

1. Grip Pressure. Fairly loose, pressure of about 3 out of 10.  You do not need a “Death Grip”.  You can use a one or two hand shot.
2. Hit from a low stationary position. Don’t be moving when you make contact.  Be stable and balanced.
3. Don’t over-swing or follow through too much. Just lift the ball.

Doesn’t come naturally, it takes a lot of practice

Watch the Video

Paddle face should be extended towards the net, not sideways.  This gives you maximum reach.  Hold the paddle straight out like an extension of you hand.

Hit with a back hand whenever possible.  Contrary to dinking, use a limp wrist nad a stiff shoulder.  Limp wrist will gently push the ball more.  This position allows you to push it back quickly or to lob the ball.

Watch the Video

Hit the ball mostly with the backhand.  A low forehand shot causes the ball to pop-up too often.

Stance should low and with the backhand volley position.

Watch the Video

Block volley.  Defensive shot.  Keep the paddle out front, absorb the pace of the ball and re-set

Punch volley.  Offensive shot.  You must have the time to punch volley back.

Continental grip. Keep paddle up just above the net, no more than about chest high so you don’t hit their “out” balls.

Watch the Video

Progression 1

Start by Player 1 hitting two dinks to Player 2.  Then, Player 2 takes two small steps back and they continue.  This continues until Player 2 gets all the way back to the baseline.  Then they reverse and Player 1 will step back to the baseline.

• More follow-through for longer shots
• Use shoulder, not wrist
• Make sure to contact the ball out front
• Practice is the key to consistency

Progression 2

• Practice forehand and backhand. Focus on hitting a “low” ball, ot just hitting the NVZ.  “Low” means your opponent will have a low contact point when they his the ball to return it.
• Step slightly into your 3^rd shot drops as you lift the ball
• Don’t worry too much about top spin when you are first learning this skill.
• Can also use backspin on the 3^rd shop drop

Progression 3

Serve, ROS, then drop shot

Learn how to react to every type of shot: top spin, under spin, side spin, etc

Watch the Video

Forehand and backhand 3^rd shot drops.

• Ready position
• Set feet and prepare early. Body will be perpendicular to the net.  Contact ball out in front.
• Push up on the ball and follow through toward the target. Do not flick the wrist.
• Get ready for the next ball partly based on your shot and decide whether or advance toward the NVZ now or after another shot.

Watch the Video

The shot that separates intermediate players from advanced players.

From the NVZ to the Transition Zone.  Don’t over-swing, use the ball’s pace and don’t add anything.

Exercise 1.

Player 1 feeds ten balls to Player 2 at the NVZ.  Keep the paddle stable with little swing.  Loose grip pressure is ideal.  If you grip is too tight, you won’t get a good feel for the ball.

Exercise 2.

Player 2 gradually backs up into the Transition Zone.

Exercise 3.

P2 hits to P1’s feet in the transition zone twice.  Then P1 will start working his way up to the NVZ if they can.  Don’t try to rush in on a bad shot, only good shots.

Watch the Video

P1 hits to P2 in the transition zone.  P2, relax, especially the elbow.  Don’t be too tense.

Watch the Video

Used to move your opponents away from the NVZ.

Two types of lobs: Offensive and Defensive

Defensive.  Use this from the baseline when your opponents are at the NVZ.

Offensive.  When all players are at the NVZ.

Risks.  Hitting too short and getting hammered.  Hitting too long and its out, lose serve or point.

Notes:

• Hit to the opponents backhand.
• Gives you recovery time if you are out of position.
• Hitting cross-court gives you more distance for a margin of error.

Watch the Video

Offensive lob is hit from the NVZ when all the players are at the zone.

Other factors on when and how to use:

• Slower players
• Opponents don’t communicate
• Height-vertically challenged
• Opponent has a poor overhead shot
• Wind factor and is sun in opponents face

How to hit:

• Low to high motion
• Use legs
• Stable wrist to punch ball over opponents head
• Contact ball in front of body
• Ball should land about 3’ inside the court

Watch the Video

NEVER run backwards.  Turn around and go back.  Depending upon your partner, you may want to cover behind each other.  It is easier to keep your eye on the ball when going back at a 45-degree angle.

Always call the shot if you have it.

If the lob is over your head, both players need to back up if you can’t take it out of the air.  It is hard to effectively return the ball, so you need to be prepared for the next shot.

Try to hit a 3rd shot drop.

Watch the Video

Take a step forward or back with one foot to get into position.

Get paddle and non-dominant hand over your head for balance and for sighting the ball.

Have someone toss you some balls.  Don’t hit them but catch with your non-dominant hand at the point where you would hit it (usually around 11 o’clock).

Practice your footwork on getting into position to hit the ball at the right place.