Player practice guide
Rally Hitting Practice
20 min PartnerIntermediateMatch play
Build a more reliable crosscourt rally by controlling depth, spacing and recovery.
Best for: players who can sustain a short rally and want more consistency at a controlled pace.
Goal
Keep the ball deep crosscourt at a controlled pace and recover after every shot.
Success today
Complete 3 crosscourt rallies of at least 8 shots, with every ball landing beyond the service line.
Watch before court
Technique reference
Target Practice · 1:41
Technique reference—not the full drill. Watch how clear targets give every rally ball a simple purpose.
Open video on YouTubeArrive ready
Before you go
- One hitting partner
- Tennis balls
- 4 flat cones or court markers
- Approximately 20 minutes of court time
Court blueprint
Set up the court
You and a partner rally diagonally into the two deep target zones. After each shot, both players move back toward the marked recovery position on their half of the baseline.
- Ball direction
- Recovery
- Target zone
- 01Start one step behind the baseline on opposite sides of the same crosscourt diagonal.
- 02Use two cones on each side to mark a deep target lane between the service line and baseline.
- 03Agree that the rally stays crosscourt and returns to a comfortable feed after every miss.
Step by step
Your 20-minute practice
0–3 min
Find a comfortable rhythm
- Rally crosscourt at about 60% pace.
- Aim safely beyond the service line.
3–8 min
Build depth
- Count only balls that reach the deep target lane.
- Recover immediately after each shot.
8–15 min
Reach eight shots
- Start each rally with a gentle feed.
- Keep the same crosscourt direction until the rally ends.
15–20 min
Complete the success set
- Try to finish three rallies of eight or more shots.
- Reset the count when a ball misses the deep lane.
Remember
Three player cues
- Play at approximately 70% pace.
- Give yourself safe height over the net.
- Recover after every shot.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Hitting too hard before establishing control
- Watching the shot instead of recovering
- Changing direction before the rally is stable
Keep the same purpose
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Use larger deep targets and complete two rallies of six shots at a slower pace.
Make it harder
Use smaller targets and complete three rallies of ten shots while recovering to the marked position after every ball.
Keep it safe
Keep spare balls against the back fence and stop the rally if a loose ball enters either player's movement path.
Continue later