Three Crosscourt, One Line
Why this drill
Teaches the fundamental geometry of baseline tennis: hold the high-percentage crosscourt exchange, and change direction only on purpose, on the right ball. Players who master this stop donating errors on low-percentage direction changes.
Setup
Both players at the baseline, full singles court, a few spare balls in your pockets. Agree who is the "changer" for the first half.
The drill
Rally crosscourt — forehand to forehand or backhand to backhand. The changer hits three crosscourt, then takes the fourth ball down the line. The other player runs it down and starts a new crosscourt rally on the opposite diagonal. That completes one cycle. Count complete cycles; aim for five clean cycles, then swap roles after seven or eight minutes.
One thought to take on court
Change direction only on a ball that is slow and in front of you — never off your back foot.