Zone Recognition Drill

This drill trains anticipation, concentration, and decision-making by forcing the player to recognize where the ball will land and react accordingly. It sharpens mental focus and helps players shift between defensive, attacking, and finishing mindsets.

Setup

• Two players rally from the baseline
• On one side of the court, divide the area into three zones:
• Deep Zone – near the baseline
• Attacking Zone – mid-court
• Kill Zone – inside the service box

Rules & Objectives

• During the rally, the player on the side with the three zones (e.g., the red player) must call out the zone where the ball is landing before hitting their return:
• “Deep” if the ball lands in the back zone
• “Attack” if it lands mid-court
• “Kill” if it lands short inside the service box
• Player responses:
• Deep Zone: Stay on the baseline and rally defensively
• Attacking Zone: Step in and hit an aggressive shot
• Kill Zone: Finish the point decisively (e.g., approach, volley, or smash)
• Continue for 5–10 minutes, then switch roles

Repetition

Coaching Points

• Trains mental concentration and anticipation
• Reinforces tactical awareness: when to defend, when to attack, and when to finish
• Builds confidence in recognizing opportunities and making quick decisions

Drill Tutorial