Half-Court Forehand vs. Backhand

This baseline drill isolates forehand and backhand technique while reinforcing consistency and endurance in rallies. By assigning one side of the court to use only backhands and the other only forehands, players practice maintaining rhythm, accuracy, and stamina in controlled hitting patterns. The game element adds focus and motivation, making it a simple yet effective way to improve baseline reliability.

Setup

• Four players positioned on the baseline (two per side)
• Half-court restriction (players use one side of the singles court)
• Rackets, tennis balls, and optional stopwatch

Rules & Objectives

• Players 1 & 2 rally using only backhands
• Players 3 & 4 rally using only forehands
• Continue the rally for 2–3 minutes, aiming for maximum consecutive shots
• Keep score by counting successful rallies or longest rally streak
• After one round, switch roles (forehand side becomes backhand side and vice versa)
• Variation: switch to crosscourt play, with one side hitting forehands and the other hitting backhands

Repetition

• Repeat several timed rounds, rotating partners each time
• Add scoring competition: track which pair achieves the longest rally within a set time
• Progress to alternating forehand/backhand rallies instead of single-stroke restriction
• For advanced players, require deeper targets (beyond the service line)

Coaching Points

• Builds stroke repetition for forehands and backhands
• Reinforces baseline consistency under controlled conditions
• Improves footwork and endurance in half-court rallies
• Adds a competitive challenge for player engagement

Drill Tutorial