Lob cover and switch trio

Practise a partner’s cover call when a lob travels over a net position.

Cooperative drill · Movement · Doubles teamwork · Minimum 6 minutes

Equipment: rackets, balls
Space: One tennis court with clear run-off space
Suggested block: 12 minutes; allow at least 6

Drill instructions

● Letter = player → Ball ⇢ Movement T = targetA lobs over near-left net player B into the near-left backcourt. Near-right baseline player C moves across for the bounce and returns to far central T while B switches to near-right net.Starting positions are schematic; follow the written setup.

Purpose & setup

Practise a partner’s cover call when a lob travels over a net position.

B starts at near-left net, C behind the near-right baseline and A behind the far baseline with one ball. A feeds a gentle lob over B towards the near-left backcourt.

How to play

A lobs over B. B calls “switch”, stops following the ball and moves to the near-right net half.
C calls “mine”, turns and moves across to the near-left backcourt, lets the lob bounce and sends a controlled high return to far central T.
End on that return’s first bounce or an earlier miss. Reset the staggered starting positions before the next feed.
After four feeds rotate A → B, B → C, C → A. Mirror the lob side after a complete three-role cycle; finish the attempt at time.

Scoring or success

One for a clear switch/ownership call and one for a controlled return landing in T. A safely abandoned unreachable lob is replayed.

Rotation & roles

Four feeds per role; B covers the opposite net half while C retrieves. Only the baseline partner hits the lob return.

Make it easier

Use a shorter lob and place C nearer the centre baseline.

Add a challenge

Begin C deeper and keep the return target inside a smaller far central area.

Mixed levels

Set the lob depth to the receiving player’s mobility and allow an extra bounce as a declared practice adaptation.

Safety & spacing

B never backpedals under the lob; C turns and moves with a clear route. Stop any ball that requires a blind backward chase or crosses an adjacent court.

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.