I should probably start making videos of certain entries, but unfortunately, I don't have a single volunteer to film me because I hit with my players! I'll work on it. In this Steal The Drill, we want to take the ever so popular (dreadful to most) Figure 8 drill to another level with added variations. For those of you who don't know what a Figure 8 drill is, it is where one person goes crosscourt and the other person goes DTL (down the line).
In my variation, the server is serving the entire time in a game to 15. The server must go crosscourt and the returner must go down-the-line (except on the return where the returner can go anywhere). Once the return is in play, the server can rip the first ball crosscourt for a winner. Since everyone knows the figure 8 pattern and where the next ball is going, the game can be played at match speed.
I love this drill for several reasons:
1) Working on your serves during practice instead at the end of practice. Too often we practice serves standing around, saved for the end of practice. The problem is serves should be practiced when you are tired, huffing and puffing.
2) Everyone knows where the ball is going, therefore you can work on your anticipation and defense. It should be very difficult for anyone to hit a winner since you know their next move.
3) Forces you to use the entire court and hit the ball in a way that will not hurt you on the next shot. For example, if you are changing the direction of your FH to go DTL and you are in a slightly poor position off the court and behind the baseline- you should hit your FH in a way that gives you a play in tracking down the next shot.
4) Builds mental toughness. There are no easy points if both people are hustling and willing to make shots on the run. Can you play when there are no obvious way to win a point? Can you play when your heartrate is up?
Added variation: 1 person goes 2 Crosscourts and 1 DTL while the other person only goes Crosscourt.