Serve + Third Ball Control

This drill trains adults to take control of a point early by focusing on the serve, return, and crucial third ball. The emphasis is on using the third shot with authority to apply pressure and establish dominance in the rally. It’s a simple but highly effective way to reinforce the importance of game openings and developing an attacking mindset right after the serve.

Setup

• Two players in singles formation
• Server (black) starts on the deuce court
• Returner (red) positioned opposite
• Basket of balls for continuous serving
• Two players in singles formation
• Server (black) starts on the deuce court
• Returner (red) positioned opposite
• Basket of balls for continuous serving
• Two players in singles formation
• Server (black) starts on the deuce court
• Returner (red) positioned opposite
• Basket of balls for continuous serving
• Two players in singles formation
• Server (black) starts on the deuce court
• Returner (red) positioned opposite
• Basket of balls for continuous serving

Rules & Objectives

• Black player serves from the deuce court
• Red player returns the serve into play
• Black player must hit the third ball aggressively to apply pressure and control the point
• After the third ball is played, the sequence ends
• Repeat sequence with the same server until rhythm is established
• Switch roles and/or move to the ad court for variety
• Black player serves from the deuce court
• Red player returns the serve into play
• Black player must hit the third ball aggressively to apply pressure and control the point
• After the third ball is played, the sequence ends
• Repeat sequence with the same server until rhythm is established
• Switch roles and/or move to the ad court for variety
• Black player serves from the deuce court
• Red player returns the serve into play
• Black player must hit the third ball aggressively to apply pressure and control the point
• After the third ball is played, the sequence ends
• Repeat sequence with the same server until rhythm is established
• Switch roles and/or move to the ad court for variety
• Black player serves from the deuce court
• Red player returns the serve into play
• Black player must hit the third ball aggressively to apply pressure and control the point
• After the third ball is played, the sequence ends
• Repeat sequence with the same server until rhythm is established
• Switch roles and/or move to the ad court for variety
• Black player serves from the deuce court
• Red player returns the serve into play
• Black player must hit the third ball aggressively to apply pressure and control the point
• After the third ball is played, the sequence ends
• Repeat sequence with the same server until rhythm is established
• Switch roles and/or move to the ad court for variety
• Black player serves from the deuce court
• Red player returns the serve into play
• Black player must hit the third ball aggressively to apply pressure and control the point
• After the third ball is played, the sequence ends
• Repeat sequence with the same server until rhythm is established
• Switch roles and/or move to the ad court for variety

Repetition

• Require the third ball to be directed to specific zones (e.g., deep crosscourt, down the line)
• Limit server to one serve only for added pressure
• Extend the drill: allow the point to continue after the third ball to see if the aggressor maintains control
• Track percentage of successful “control shots” to measure improvement
• Require the third ball to be directed to specific zones (e.g., deep crosscourt, down the line)
• Limit server to one serve only for added pressure
• Extend the drill: allow the point to continue after the third ball to see if the aggressor maintains control
• Track percentage of successful “control shots” to measure improvement
• Require the third ball to be directed to specific zones (e.g., deep crosscourt, down the line)
• Limit server to one serve only for added pressure
• Extend the drill: allow the point to continue after the third ball to see if the aggressor maintains control
• Track percentage of successful “control shots” to measure improvement
• Require the third ball to be directed to specific zones (e.g., deep crosscourt, down the line)
• Limit server to one serve only for added pressure
• Extend the drill: allow the point to continue after the third ball to see if the aggressor maintains control
• Track percentage of successful “control shots” to measure improvement

Coaching Points

• Reinforces the importance of the first three shots in tennis
• Helps servers learn how to dictate play after the return
• Builds confidence in aggressive third-ball patterns
• Improves serve consistency, return depth, and point control
• Great for adults developing tactical awareness in match play
• Reinforces the importance of the first three shots in tennis
• Helps servers learn how to dictate play after the return
• Builds confidence in aggressive third-ball patterns
• Improves serve consistency, return depth, and point control
• Great for adults developing tactical awareness in match play
• Reinforces the importance of the first three shots in tennis
• Helps servers learn how to dictate play after the return
• Builds confidence in aggressive third-ball patterns
• Improves serve consistency, return depth, and point control
• Great for adults developing tactical awareness in match play
• Reinforces the importance of the first three shots in tennis
• Helps servers learn how to dictate play after the return
• Builds confidence in aggressive third-ball patterns
• Improves serve consistency, return depth, and point control
• Great for adults developing tactical awareness in match play
• Reinforces the importance of the first three shots in tennis
• Helps servers learn how to dictate play after the return
• Builds confidence in aggressive third-ball patterns
• Improves serve consistency, return depth, and point control
• Great for adults developing tactical awareness in match play

Drill Tutorial