Improve your transition game by coming in after a big forehand.
One of the keys to a successful journey to net is the quality of your approach shot. Put your opponent on the defensive and you’ll be rewarded with an easy volley. This drill is designed to let your forehand do the heavy lifting.
SETUP
Begin at the center of the baseline with a partner standing just to the right of the T on the opposite side of the court. Place targets (they can be cones, hoppers, or ball pyramids) deep in the ad court and short in the service boxes. If you’re a lefty, put the deep targets in the deuce court and have your practice partner stand just left of the T.
WARM-UP
Your partner feeds a ball a little left of the center hash mark (right of center for lefties). Your must run around your backhand to hit an inside-out forehand toward the deep target. After recovering toward the middle, another ball is fed, this time shorter in the court and on the deuce side (ad side for lefties). You should move inside the baseline and again drive the ball toward the deep target and follow the shot to net. The final feed should force you to hit a volley at one of the shorter targets on your partner’s side.
GAME
After you and your partner perform several rounds of this sequence, turn it into net. The point essentially starts at this stage as the player on the baseline moves to the ball and attempts a passing shot. Play out the rest of the point. Lobs are not permitted on the first pass, but you can drive balls right at the net-rusher or dip them at her feet. This can set up an easier pass on the next ball. Switch roles after one player reaches 11 points.