Bounce-Hit Calling Game
Focus
Legend
- player
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Train beginning players to track the ball visually by calling out 'bounce' and 'hit' at the precise moment each event occurs.
What you need
- tennis racket
- foam or low-compression tennis balls
- court
Your focus
Verbalizing 'bounce' and 'hit' forces the eyes to lock onto the ball through its full flight path, building the habit of early ball tracking. Young players naturally lose visual focus before contact; this game makes focus a concrete, measurable action. Consistent ball-watching dramatically improves timing and contact quality.
Coach stands at the net and gently feeds a ball toward the player at the baseline.
The player watches the ball and calls out 'bounce' loudly the instant the ball hits the ground and 'hit' the instant their racket makes contact.
Coach listens for timing accuracy, the words should coincide exactly with the events, not come before or after.
Repeat for 10 feeds, then switch to a partner calling while the other player focuses on hitting.
Goal
You've got it when you call 'bounce' and 'hit' exactly on time every single rep, if you're calling it late, your eyes are a step behind the ball.
Helpful cues
- Watch the ball land, then say bounce
- See the strings touch the ball
- Loud voice means focused eyes
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Only require 'bounce' call; add 'hit' once the single cue is consistent.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Add a 'land' call for where the player predicts the ball will bounce before it does.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.