Ball control is a skill to be developed, a muscle to be flexed, over time. And just like lifting, your ball control ability needs a good workout in order to get better over time.
That’s why I have put together a list of tactical ball control challenges. These drills are designed to challenge your ability to hit certain spots on the court and let you measure your progress.
Let’s Begin!
Drill 1: Short court, cross court, forehands only
You and your partner will stand just behind the service line on the same side of the court as your forehand. Take 1 minute and rally short court, counting how many shots you can land in the cross court service box. The number of times your shot lands in the service box is your score. Feeds do not count.
Drill 2: Short court, cross court, backhands only
You and your partner will stand just behind the service line on the same side of the court as your backhand. Take 1 minute and rally short court, counting how many shots you can land in the cross court service box. The number of times your shot lands in the service box is your score. Feeds do not count.
Drill 3: Short court, straight ahead, forehands or backhands
You and your parter will stand just behind the service line on one half of the court, playing straight ahead. Take 1 minute and rally short court, counting how many shots you can land in the cross court service box. The number of times your shot lands in the service box right in front of you is your score. Feeds do not count.
Drill 4: Baseline, cross court forehands. Targeting the entire deuce side.
You and your partner will stand on the deuce side at the baseline. Hitting forehands only, take 1 minute and rally, counting the number of times your ball lands in the deuce side of the court. The number of times your ball lands in your target is your score. Feeds do not count.
Drill 5: Baseline, cross court backhands, targeting the entire ad side.
You and your partner will stand on the ad side at the baseline. Hitting backhands only, take 1 minute and rally, counting the number of times your ball lands in the deuce side of the court. The number of times your ball lands in your target is your score. Feeds do not count.
Drill 6: Baseline, straight ahead, targeting the entire half court.
You and your partner will stand on the same side of the court at the baseline. Hitting straight ahead, take 1 minute and rally, counting the number of times your ball lands in the half court straight ahead of you. The number of times your ball lands in your target is your score. Feeds do not count.
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