Short touch and recovery

Move to a short ball and play a controlled touch return before recovering.

Cooperative drill · Movement · Consistency · Minimum 5 minutes

Equipment: rackets, balls
Space: One tennis court with clear run-off space
Suggested block: 10 minutes; allow at least 5

Drill instructions

● Letter = player → Ball ⇢ Movement T = targetB feeds softly into the near right service box. A moves forward from the baseline and touches the ball into far left service-box T, then walks back after the ball dies.Starting positions are schematic; follow the written setup.

Purpose & setup

Move to a short ball and play a controlled touch return before recovering.

A starts behind the near baseline. B stands near the far service line with one ball, ready to feed softly into a near service box. T is the opposite far service box.

How to play

B feeds a gentle short ball into the near deuce service box. A moves forward and lets it bounce once.
A sends a soft return into T, stopping in balance before the net. End the sequence on its first bounce or a miss.
A walks back to the starting baseline and B retrieves the dead ball. Feed the other side next.
After six attempts exchange roles. Finish the current attempt when time ends.

Scoring or success

One point for reaching the ball in balance and one for a return landing in T. Count out of twelve per six-attempt round.

Rotation & roles

Alternate short-ball sides every attempt and switch hitter/feeder every six. The walking reset is part of the rest.

Make it easier

A begins nearer the service line and B feeds less short.

Add a challenge

A begins behind the baseline and aims into a smaller central portion of T.

Mixed levels

Set a different start distance for each player so nobody has to sprint through the net area.

Safety & spacing

B gives enough height and time to reach the ball safely. A stops before the net and lets unreachable feeds go.

Follow the illustrated instructions. No video has been published for this activity.

Sources & editorial status

Editorial review needed: original practice rules and diagram, not coach-approved. These are optional practice rules, not official competition rules. References support general tennis guidance; they do not endorse this format.

USTA: Tennis tips and instruction — General coaching reference; does not validate these custom games.
LTA: Improve your game — General learning resource; custom rotations and scoring require review.