Building Your Coaching Toolkit

A good drill teaches a skill without the player realising they are learning. The best coaches have a library of drills they can pull from depending on the skill level, group size, and session goal.

Here are five drills that belong in every new coach's toolkit.

1. The Dink Rally

Two players stand at the kitchen line and rally softly back and forth, keeping the ball below net height. This drill builds touch, patience, and consistency. Start with cooperative rallies and progress to cross-court patterns.

Coaching tip: Watch for players who grip the paddle too tightly. A relaxed grip produces better control at the net.

2. Third Shot Drop Feed

The coach feeds a deep ball to a player standing at the baseline. The player hits a third shot drop into the kitchen. Repeat in sets of ten, alternating forehand and backhand sides.

Coaching tip: Focus on the arc of the ball, not the landing spot. A good drop peaks on the player's side of the net.

3. Transition Zone Volley

Players start at the baseline, hit a drop shot, then move forward and volley the return. The goal is to practise the movement from baseline to net, which is where most points are won or lost.

Coaching tip: Encourage small, controlled steps rather than rushing forward in two big strides.

4. Serve and Return Accuracy

Set up targets in the service box (cones or towels) and have players aim for specific zones. Alternate between deep serves and short returns to build variety.

Coaching tip: Consistency matters more than power. A serve that lands in play every time beats a hard serve that misses half the time.

5. Live Point Play with Constraints

Play points where one team can only dink and the other can play freely. Then swap roles. This forces players to develop patience under pressure and exposes weaknesses in net play.

Coaching tip: Constraints teach strategy without lengthy explanations. Let the drill do the teaching.