This drill helps players develop control, finesse, and feel for short shots such as drop shots and angled touches. By requiring the ball to bounce twice before crossing the baseline, players must focus on soft hands, precision, and careful shot placement. It’s a fun way to work on specialty shots that can make a big difference in competitive play.
Setup
Two players positioned on opposite sides of the court
Use service boxes or half-court areas for better control
One ball in play
Rules & Objectives
Player A hits a short shot designed to bounce twice before reaching the baseline on Player B’s side
Player B returns the ball with the same goal: keeping it short enough to bounce twice before the far baseline
Players continue rallying, counting the number of successful exchanges
Competing pairs can compare rally scores against other pairs on adjacent courts
Repetition
Restrict to forehands only, backhands only, or slice shots for variation
Narrow the target zone (e.g., must land inside the service boxes)
Add a competitive element: first pair to reach a rally count of 20 exchanges wins
For advanced players, introduce angled touch shots that pull opponents wide
Coaching Points
Improves touch, finesse, and ball control
Reinforces drop shot and specialty shot mechanics
Teaches precision and awareness of court positioning
Encourages players to vary pace and spin in rallies
