4-Player Tennis Drill: The Escalator

How It Works

Setup

This drill gives players a good workout while improving their doubles skills and teamwork.

There are two teams: team A-B at the net; team C-D begins at the baseline. The coach (F), having a basket of balls nearby, is at the net post, same side as team A-B.

Drill

1. For the first point, the coach will feed a low and short ball to bring team C-D up to the net. They will run up and play the point out – both teams at the net.

2. Next, the coach will call “Net!” The C-D team will have to touch the net with their racquets. As soon as one of the players touches the net, the coach will feed a lob over them. Team C-D will chase the lob and then play it out against team A-B, still at the net.

3. The third point continues with the coach calling “Baseline!” The C-D team will have to touch the baseline with their racquets. As soon as one of the players touches the baseline, the coach will feed a short ball for them to run up again and play the point out from the net position.

Continue this pattern by moving the team C-D up (to the net) and back (baseline) while keeping the A-B team at the net until one of the sides wins 6 points. Then have teams switch sides and roles.

This is part of Tennis Drills and Lesson Plans for Coaches, with 900+ drills and lesson plans that coaches need.