Return and run

The return is the receiving team’s best chance to reach the line first. A deep return and a quick run in behind it is the habit this drill builds.

Setup

• Cross-court halves of the court, as in skinny singles: one server, one returner, diagonally across.
• The server stays back after the serve. The returner’s only job is the race.

How it works

1. Serve, deep and diagonal.
2. The returner hits it deep, to the server’s backhand, and runs in straight away.
3. The server plays any third shot, hard or soft.
4. If the returner is set at the kitchen line before the third shot reaches them, play the point out from there.

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1. 1P1 serves cross-court to P2. P2's point is the race to the line.
2. 2The serve, deep and diagonal.
3. 3Deep, at P1's backhand, and P2 is already running in behind it.
4. 4The third shot. P2 got to the line before it arrived and split-stepped: a point to P2.
5. 5From the line, P2 volleys it deep. Late to the line, and the point goes to P1.

Score

The returner wins a point for being at the line in time, and the point is played out. Caught behind the line, it’s a point to the server. Ten serves each, then swap.

Turn the dial

Easier: the server always hits a soft third shot, which gives the returner more time.

Harder: the server always drives the third, at the returner’s feet.