Half-Court vs. Full-Court Challenge

This consistency drill pairs players with different court responsibilities, creating a unique challenge for positioning, rhythm, and accuracy. One player is restricted to a single side of the court and a specific stroke, while the other must cover the entire singles court. The variation in movement and shot selection trains both discipline and adaptability, making it a great exercise for rally endurance and consistency under controlled conditions.

Setup

• Four players total (two per side)
• Player 3 (baseline) covers the full singles court
• Player 4 (baseline) covers only one half of the court and is assigned a single stroke (e.g., only backhands)
• Optional: coach with basket of balls to feed rallies more quickly

Rules & Objectives

• Begin with Player 4 restricted to one side of the court, hitting only the assigned stroke (e.g., backhands down the line)
• Player 3 must rally crosscourt, covering the full singles court (forehand and backhand allowed)
• Rally continues until one player makes an error
• After each rally, rotate so waiting players take positions and continue
• The coach may feed balls into play to keep the drill moving efficiently
• Switch sides after several rounds so players practice from both court positions
• Optionally, progress into point play after initial cooperative rallies

Repetition

• Run timed sets (e.g., 2–3 minutes per pair)
• Allow inclusion of doubles alleys to expand rally zones for advanced players
• Rotate roles so every player practices both restricted (half-court, single stroke) and full-court coverage
• Add scoring or competitive games (first team to 10 successful rallies, or point play to 7)

Coaching Points

• Builds rally consistency through repetition and shot control
• Reinforces footwork and positioning under different movement demands
• Trains discipline by restricting one player to a single stroke
• Improves adaptability for the full-court player covering more ground
• Encourages cooperative rallying before shifting to competitive play

Drill Tutorial