Crosscourt Start to Live Rally Drill

This drill is designed to sharpen singles play by starting with controlled crosscourt strokes before transitioning into a live rally. It focuses on timing, positioning, and quick adaptation from a predictable pattern into an open point. By beginning with two controlled crosscourt shots, players establish rhythm before being challenged to construct points on their own. The structure makes it ideal for improving decision-making and competitive readiness while still maintaining a clear starting pattern.

Setup

• Two players begin diagonally opposite each other on the baseline
• The coach initiates the drill by feeding the first ball
• Additional players may wait on the sidelines to rotate in after each point

Rules & Objectives

• The coach feeds the first ball wide to one player’s corner
• Player 1 moves to the ball and hits a crosscourt shot
• Player 2 responds with a crosscourt shot of their own
• After these two strokes, players continue by playing out the point
• Repeat the sequence for multiple rounds, rotating in new players as needed
• Alternate starting feeds from the opposite side to balance practice

Repetition

• Each rally begins with two controlled crosscourt shots before free play
• Coaches may increase difficulty by varying depth or pace of the initial feed
• Points can be tracked for a competitive element

Coaching Points

• Develops consistency in crosscourt groundstrokes
• Improves singles point construction after controlled starts
• Builds match readiness and competitive focus
• Encourages smooth transitions from structured drills to live play

Drill Tutorial