Shoulder Squeeze Relay

This playful warm-up drill helps players build coordination, teamwork, and communication while engaging their whole body. By squeezing a ball between their shoulders (or other body parts) and racing across the court, players learn balance, rhythm, and cooperative movement. The activity also serves as a fun icebreaker for group practices.

Setup

• Players form pairs
• One ball per pair (tennis ball, foam ball, or larger ball for variety)
• Full court space (baseline to net)

Rules & Objectives

• Partners stand side by side with a ball squeezed between their shoulders
• On the coach’s signal, pairs race from the baseline to the net and tap the net together
• Without dropping the ball, they return to the baseline
• If the ball is dropped, players must stop, reset at the spot where it fell, and continue
• The first pair back to the baseline wins

Repetition

• Try squeezing the ball between different body parts: foreheads, chests, or hips
• Use larger balls (soccer or foam balls) for easier play, or smaller balls for more challenge
• Run multiple rounds, mixing pairs to encourage teamwork with different partners
• Add variations such as side-shuffling or backpedaling to increase difficulty

Coaching Points

• Improves body coordination and balance
• Reinforces teamwork and communication
• Engages core muscles through controlled movement
• Provides a fun, energetic start to tennis practice

Drill Tutorial