Player practice guide
Tennis Depth Drill - How to Play in the Middle
15 min PartnerIntermediate–AdvancedMatch play
Divide the court into four areas from left to right: A, B, C, and D. Areas B and C are in the middle, while A and D are near the sidelines. Start the point by hitting deep balls only into B and C. Be patient and keep the rally in the middle. When your opponent hits a short ball and you can move inside the baseline, you may attack into A or D, or play a drop shot. In simple terms: control the point through B and C first, then attack A or D when you receive a short ball.
Best for: players who can rally with topspin and need a clearer trigger for moving inside the baseline.
Goal
Use a heavy deep ball to create a short reply, recognise it early and attack from a balanced forward position.
Success today
Complete 7 of 10 patterns with a deep topspin drive, a clear forward move and an attacking ball beyond the service line.
Watch before court
Technique reference
Tennis Depth Drill - Control the Middle, Win the Point · 8:46
Technique reference—not the full drill. Watch how depth, central court control and recovery create the next attacking opportunity.
Open video on YouTubeArrive ready
Before you go
- One coach or capable feeder
- Basket of 20+ tennis balls
- 4 flat cones
- Approximately 15 minutes of court time
Court blueprint
Set up the court
The feeder sends a rally ball, then a shorter ball after your heavy deep drive. Move inside the baseline, attack crosscourt and finish at the forward recovery marker.
- Ball direction
- Feeder ball
- Player movement
- Recovery
- Target zone
- 01Mark a deep crosscourt target and an attacking target beyond the opposite service line.
- 02Place a recovery cone one step inside the baseline.
- 03Ask the feeder to send a shorter reply only after your heavy deep drive.
Step by step
Your 15-minute practice
0–3 min
Rehearse the trigger
- Shadow the heavy drive and move forward only after calling short.
- Finish at the inside-baseline marker.
3–7 min
Create the loose ball
- Ask for a neutral feed and drive it deep with safe height.
- Move only when the next feed lands short.
7–11 min
Attack in balance
- Meet the loose ball inside the court.
- Send it beyond the service line and hold your forward position.
10 patterns · 4 min
Score ten patterns
- Count a point only when all three parts are clear.
- Aim for seven successful patterns.
Remember
Three player cues
- Shape the first ball deep.
- Read short before moving.
- Arrive balanced inside the court.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Moving forward before the deep ball has created pressure
- Running through the loose ball
- Retreating behind the baseline after attacking
Keep the same purpose
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Ask the feeder to place every second ball short and use a larger attacking target.
Make it harder
Let the feeder choose whether the second ball is short or deep, and play the point out only after a correct decision.
Keep it safe
Keep the basket behind the feeder and clear short balls before repeating the forward movement path.
Continue later