Long before today’s tennis academies, there was renowned Australian coach Harry Hopman, who steered his country to an astonishing 15 Davis Cup titles between 1950 and ’67. Now, one of his students, the legendary Rod Laver, shares a set of drills that Hopman used to mold champions.

Photos by Manuela Davies/Double Exposure

As any schoolchild can tell you, the secret to success is practice. But as a tennis champion can explain, it’s not just any kind of practice that produces results. The work you do in preparation for your matches has to be focused and intense, simulating the most challenging aspects of match play. Harry Hopman, the famous Australian coach, whipped a long line of players into shape—including me, Frank Sedgman, Lew Hoad, Ken Rosewall, Roy Emerson, Fred Stolle, John Newcombe, and Tony Roche—with a grueling regimen that prepared us for the rigors of top-flight tennis.

A major component of his practice routine was a drill you don’t see much anymore, the two-on-one, or two players hitting against one. In my opinion, this exercise is still the best way to practice. Why? With two players on one side, almost all the shots the single player hits are returned, and probably returned well since the two don’t have much running to do. This means that the exchanges last longer and are more intense, giving the single player the opportunity to hit a lot of shots and get an outstanding workout.

Before you go out and try a two-on-one drill, there are a few things you need to know. For starters, I recommend having at least a dozen balls on hand and making sure all three players keep several in their pockets. Whenever someone misses a shot, someone else—usually the player who would have hit that ball—should immediately feed another. Everything should be continuous and fast-paced. You don’t stop when someone hits a winner or an error.

Also, the idea is not to hit the ball past anybody. Instead, you want to work on directing your shots. The two players should focus on giving the single player as many balls as they can. If you’re the single player, don’t go crazy with power. Try to keep the ball in the court. Finally, when you’re by yourself don’t expect to last that long on each of your turns, especially at first. Five minutes is plenty to start. As you get better, don’t switch until you get tired.

Here are four ways to get one of the best practices you’ve ever had and make your game the best it can be.

1. All three players at the baseline 

Begin with all three players back. Focus on consistency and depth, treating this as a warmup. As I mentioned before, the two players aren’t trying to hit winners against the single player. Their goal is to challenge him and keep him on the move by giving him a steady series of well placed shots. One way to do this is for the two to always hit down the line while the single player always hits crosscourt, or vice versa. This pattern ensures a good workout and also forces all three players to work on changing the direction of the ball. Do one round with each player spending fi ve minutes in the single position.

I should point out that when we did two-on ones, we didn’t spend much time with all three at the baseline. In my day the game was about getting to the net. We might have started with all three back, but the goal was to move forward on any short ball and hone our approach shots. I fi nd that many players today are great at the baseline and solid at the net once they get there, but their transition from the baseline to the net is fair at best. So this variation of all three players starting at the baseline would be useful for players today. Remember, if you miss a ball—even on an approach shot—don’t stop. Someone should immediately feed another ball so the player gets the same shot.

2. Two at the net, one at the baseline

This version is intended to give the player at the baseline a real test, but the net players should move him around, not put the ball away. (For example, if the person at the baseline is pulled wide, the net man shouldn’t hit the ball into the opposite corner.) Not only does this allow the person at the baseline to get a good workout and hit lots of balls from challenging positions, it’s also good for the net players because they can practice placing their volleys.

But if the baseline player can put the ball away, he should do so. This is the time to work on passing shots, topspin lobs, and knocking off short balls. The baseline player should be careful not to get sloppy and hit shots that would go out if there weren’t two players fielding them at net. Otherwise, his hard work will be for nothing. Do one round, with each player spending five minutes at the baseline.

3. One at the net, two at the baseline

Hitting at the net against two players at the baseline is a wonderful way to shape all parts of your frontcourt game. The net man’s goal is to practice placing the ball. Start out with the two at the baseline hitting ground strokes to the net guy, then have them begin to throw in lobs.

They don’t have to be winning lobs; just be sure that you give the net man a chance to take some of them in the air. After hitting a smash, the net person has to get back up to the net in time for the next ball before it bounces. That way, as soon as you hit the overhead you learn to get right back into volleying position. In turn, the baseline players should try to hit the ball at the net man’s feet. Do one round, with each player spending five minutes at the net.

4. All three at the net

This is like a volley duel; it should be rapid fire. Start by getting a rhythm, then pretty much hit the ball as hard as you can without sacrificing control. If you’re the single person at the net, move the ball around. Hit one or two shots to the same person and then hit to the other to get a feel for placing the ball in all directions from different angles.

Similarly, the two players should give the one a mix of forehand and backhand volleys. This variation of the two on-one drill helps you learn to keep your racquet out in front of you when you’re volleying. Do one round, with each player spending five minutes as the single player.