Jump to Drill:
The Octopus
A high-intensity drill to improve accuracy, footwork, and touch by hitting 8 specific targets in a single sequence.
THE RULES
- Baseline Pattern: Hit 4 shots (Forehand Down-the-Line, Backhand Down-the-Line, Forehand Cross-court, Backhand Cross-court).
- Transition Pattern: Move to mid-court and hit 4 drops (Cross-court Forehand/Backhand and Down-the-line Forehand/Backhand).
- The Goal: Clear all 8 shots without a miss to build endurance and court awareness.
Power Serve & Wrist Lag
Utilize the “Kinetic Chain” to generate significant power with less muscle strain.
THE RULES
- Setup: Stand at the baseline with a basket of balls. Partner returns or collects.
- Shadow Work: Do 2 practice swings focusing on “Wrist Lag” (paddle trailing the arm) for every 1 real serve.
- 80% Rule: Swing at 80% intensity to maintain looseness—staying loose creates more whip than “muscling” the ball.
- Variety: Practice the “Screwball” (side spin) every few serves to keep opponents guessing.
Reflex Volley Mastery
Build lightning-fast hands and learn to handle the “Chicken Wing” attack.
THE RULES
- Closing In: Start at the kitchen and take a step forward after every 5 successful volleys until you are very close.
- Quick Feed: One player acts as the “feeder,” hitting rapid shots at the other player’s right hip and shoulders.
- Technique: Keep the paddle out in front and use very compact movements—no big swings.
Depth Training: Serves & Returns
Stop focusing on speed and start winning points through deep placement.
THE RULES
- Setup: Place cones 2-3 feet inside the baseline.
- Targeting: Aim to land 10 serves in a row deep behind the cones. Repeat for 10 returns.
- The Benefit: Deep serves and returns buy you time and force your opponent to hit difficult, retreating shots.
Advanced Return Strategies
Master the psychology and placement of the return to neutralize “Bangers” and aggressive “Crashers.”
THE RULES
- Target the “Crasher”: If one opponent is fast at rushing the kitchen, return the ball to them. This forces them to hit on the move and slows their approach. [00:00:30]
- Avoid the Driver: If an opponent has a deadly 3rd shot drive, hit your return to their partner instead to force a 3rd shot drop. [00:01:04]
- The “Miss” Rule: If an opponent just missed a 3rd shot into the net, hit the very next return to them again while they are mentally shaken. [00:02:53]
- Squeeze the Middle: After returning, follow the path of your ball to the net. If you return cross-court, move diagonally to “squeeze” the middle gap. [00:05:05]
The Slinky Drill
A calibration exercise to master touch and trajectory from every inch of the court.
THE RULES
- Step-Back Phase: Start at the kitchen line dinking. After every shot you send over, take one “drop step” back toward the baseline. [00:00:23]
- The “In-Between” Rule: Do not step back while hitting. Hit the ball with balance, then recover back one step. [00:00:37]
- Step-Forward Phase: Once you reach the baseline, hit one drop shot and begin working your way back to the kitchen, one step at a time. [00:01:56]
- Focus: This drill removes the “fear” of the transition zone by teaching you the proper height needed for the ball at different depths. [00:03:45]
4th Shot Selection
Learn to handle the 3rd shot drop and keep your opponents pinned at the baseline.
THE RULES
- Shot Selection: If the 3rd shot is a perfect drop, just place it back in the kitchen. If it’s high, punch it back mid-court or roll it down the line. [00:01:31]
- Stay Aggressive: Do not let the service team push you back. Stay glued to the kitchen line and take balls out of the air whenever possible. [00:04:43]
- The Drill: Partner A hits 3rd shot drops from the baseline; Partner B practices varying the 4th shot (punch, roll, or short dink). [00:02:55]
3rd Shot Drop Mastery
Build a reliable 3rd shot drop using a “Push” rather than an “Acceleration.”
THE RULES
- Loose Grip: Maintain a grip pressure of 3 or 4 out of 10 to absorb the ball’s energy. [00:00:48]
- The “No-Backswing” Rule: Do not pull the paddle back. Push forward from the shoulder using a consistent speed throughout the stroke. [00:01:16]
- Rhythm Drill: Start at the kitchen and take two steps back after every two successful drops until you reach the baseline. This maintains the “dink” feel. [00:01:36]
- Targeting: Practice cross-court drops, as the net is lower in the middle and the court is longer diagonally. [00:04:36]
The Overhead Smash
Turn defensive lobs into offensive winners with proper positioning.
THE RULES
- Sideways Stance: Immediately turn your body sideways as soon as you see a lob—never backpedal straight.
- Point to the Ball: Use your non-hitting hand to track the ball in the air; this helps with balance and timing.
- Contact Point: Hit the ball at its highest point, slightly in front of your body, snapping the wrist downward.
Figure 8 Dinking
The ultimate drill for direction control and movement. It forces one player to hit “Down the Line” while the other hits “Cross-Court.”
THE RULES
- The Pattern: Player A hits only Down the Line. Player B hits only Cross-Court. This creates a continuous “Figure 8” ball path. [00:01:11]
- The Movement: You must hustle from sideline to sideline. Keep the ball in the kitchen while staying balanced. [00:04:47]
- Progression: Start narrow to find your rhythm, then expand to full-court movement as you improve. [00:03:31]
Fast Hands Volley Drill
Build lightning-fast reflexes and improve your contact point at the kitchen line.
THE RULES
- Setup: Stand across from your partner at the kitchen line. Volley the ball back and forth without letting it bounce. [00:01:35]
- Targeting: Aim for each other’s hips to keep the drill challenging and cooperative. [00:01:43]
- The Twist: Take one step into the kitchen (non-volley zone) to shorten the distance. This makes the ball feel much slower when you step back for a real game. [00:02:05]
Dink-Dink-Dink-Bang
Practice the transition from a soft dink rally to an aggressive speed-up and the subsequent reset.
THE RULES
- The Sequence: Hit three consecutive dinks. On the fourth shot, the player who receives it must “Bang” (speed up) the ball. [00:00:57]
- The Recovery: The opponent must attempt a “Reset” (soften the ball back into the kitchen) rather than just smashing it back. [00:01:04]
- Goal: Get comfortable switching between “soft” touch and “fast” power shots mid-rally. [00:01:22]
Skinny Singles
The best way to emulate doubles gameplay with only two people. It forces you to play “small” and stay accurate.
THE RULES
- The Court: Use only half the court (longways). If your score is even, play from the right side; if odd, play from the left. [00:11:32]
- Scoring: Play to 11. If you serve from the even side, you must hit cross-court to your opponent’s even side. [00:06:29]
- Strategy: This drill puts your dinking, third-shot drops, and blocking into a competitive point-play scenario. [00:09:05]
The Blocking Drill
Essential for beginners and intermediates to survive “Bangers” who drive every third shot.
THE RULES
- Setup: One person at the baseline “ripping” drives; the other at the kitchen line practicing blocks. [00:06:47]
- Technique: Keep your paddle up and out in front. Use short, compact “punches” rather than big swings. [00:07:24]
- The “Out” Ball: Use this time to practice letting high, fast balls go past you—it’s the hardest skill to master! [00:08:48]