Short Court
PartnerNTRP 2.0–4.010 minforehandbackhand
Why this drill
The proper warm-up, and secretly a touch clinic. Rallying inside the service boxes forces you to control the ball with spin and shape instead of arm speed — the feel you build here shows up later in volleys, drop shots, and defense.
Setup
Both players inside the service line. All balls must land in the service boxes. Shortened swings, full attention.
The drill
Rally cooperatively for seven minutes: one bounce, easy pace, brushing up the back of the ball so it arcs and drops. Chase a streak of twenty. Finish with three minutes of points to 11 — but no winners allowed: points end only on errors, so the game rewards patience and shape rather than sneak attacks.
One thought to take on court
Brush up the back of the ball — arc it in, don't tap it in.