Serve plus one decision

Choose a safe first groundstroke after your serve instead of ending practice at the return.

Competitive game · Serve and return · Movement · 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 serves from near deuce into the far diagonal service box, B returns to near centre and A plays the next shot into far right T. Mirror for ad serves.Starting positions are schematic; follow the written setup.

Purpose & setup

Choose a safe first groundstroke after your serve instead of ending practice at the return.

A serves from behind the near baseline and B receives behind the opposite diagonal baseline. T is the far half-court opposite B’s receiving corner.

How to play

A serves with two attempts into the diagonal service box. A double fault ends the attempt.
B returns a legal serve after one bounce into the near singles court. A recovers and plays one further shot towards T.
End on the first bounce of A’s third shot or an earlier miss. No winner is needed and no further rally is played.
Alternate deuce and ad sides for six attempts, mirroring T. Swap server and receiver after six; finish the current attempt at time.

Scoring or success

A earns one for a legal serve and one for the third shot landing in T. B counts legal returns separately. This is custom training scoring.

Rotation & roles

Six attempts per server, including double faults. B mirrors the receiving position after every attempt.

Make it easier

B returns gently through the middle and A uses the whole far court as target.

Add a challenge

B varies a controlled deep or short return so A must adjust the recovery.

Mixed levels

Give each server a suitable target size; B supplies a manageable return rather than seeking a winner.

Safety & spacing

The receiver waits until the server is ready. Keep spare balls away from the server’s feet and retrieve only with a dead ball.

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.