Short Angle Rally
PartnerNTRP 3.5–4.010 minforehandbackhandstrategy
Why this drill
The short crosscourt angle — landing in the service box, pulling your opponent off the court — is the club player's most underused weapon. It requires spin, not power, which makes it learnable by anyone.
Setup
Both players at their baselines on the same diagonal. The target is the crosscourt service box — every ball must land inside it.
The drill
Rally crosscourt with heavy topspin, every ball landing in the service box. The arc is high, the contact is a steep brush, the ball dips sharply. Count consecutive box-to-box balls; eight is strong. Switch diagonals halfway so forehands and backhands both learn the shape.
One thought to take on court
Swing low-to-high and finish over your shoulder — the angle comes from spin and arc, never from hitting harder.