Net Rush Decision Points
Decision Making
Legend
- player
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Train intermediate-to-advanced players to make correct decisions about when to rush the net based on shot quality and opponent court position.
What you need
- tennis racket
- tennis balls
- court
- cones
Your focus
Coming to net at the wrong time is a common tactical error among juniors who otherwise have strong volleys. This drill ties the approach decision to objective criteria (ball depth, opponent position, own shot quality) rather than feel. Repeated correct decisions under live-point conditions build reliable court sense.
Play crosscourt groundstroke points starting from the baseline; player is allowed to approach the net only after hitting a ball that lands inside the service box (a genuine short ball to the opponent).
Coach or a tracking partner calls 'Earned!' when the approach shot lands inside the service box or 'Not yet!' when it lands deep.
If 'Not yet!' is called but the player approaches, they lose the point automatically (penalty for wrong decision).
Track earned approaches versus wrong approaches over 15 points; goal is correct decision on 80% of net-rush opportunities.
Goal
You've got it when you're reading the ball quality and your opponent's position simultaneously and rushing the net when it's right, not just when it's safe.
Helpful cues
- Read your shot quality before you move!
- Only rush when you have created the opening.
- If it is deep, stay back and reset.
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Coach pre-loads only short feeds to practice the approach pattern without requiring the player to create the short ball.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Opponent is instructed to lob after every approach shot, requiring the player to also commit to an overhead or back-off decision.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.