Approach Shot Pattern , Attack the Short Ball
Tactics & Point Construction
Legend
- player
- coach / parent
- cones
- ball
How it works
Practice the sequence of recognizing a short ball, approaching with a directional shot, and closing the net for a volley finish.
What you need
- tennis balls
- tennis racket
- full court
- cones
Your focus
Intermediate players often miss the opportunity presented by short balls because they lack a practiced approach-shot pattern. Training a consistent approach-shot response , drive deep cross-court or down-the-line, close the net, volley , converts short balls from accidents into reliable winning opportunities. Repetitive practice of this three-shot pattern builds the decision speed needed to execute it in matches.
A parent or coach feeds a short ball (inside the service line) to the player's forehand side.
Player sprints to the short ball and hits an approach shot down the line (toward the singles sideline target cone).
Player continues forward momentum after the approach shot and closes to the net.
The feeder sends a volley opportunity to either side; player volleys for the open court. Complete 8 sequences on each side.
Goal
Success is reaching the short ball, approaching it down the line, and closing to a good volley position, all three happen cleanly, not just the first two.
Helpful cues
- Short ball is your signal, attack!
- Approach and keep moving, momentum to the net.
- Hit through the approach, don't slow down to aim.
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Coach feeds the ball from the net and throws it directly to the approach contact zone to simplify the sprint-and-hit timing.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
After the approach, coach feeds to the wide volley zone to simulate a passing shot attempt, requiring a reactive volley under pressure.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.