Foster clear, timely communication between doubles partners to coordinate tactics, avoid confusion, and seize control of each point.

Encourage concise pre-point discussions and consistent non-verbal cues. Partners should adopt shared language and gestures to signal strategy under pressure.

Set up a mini-match scenario with one team serving and returning as normal. Before each point, the receiving pair draws a notecard that dictates their planned tactic. They then execute that plan—verbal or non-verbal—throughout the rally.

15 minutes (10-point mini-matches with rapid feedback between rotations).

Limit the deck to “poach” and “stay.” Partners practice issuing and honouring these calls without hesitation.

Add “lob” and “switch.” Require the receiver to deliver signals during the toss, sharpening timing.

Move to hand-signal only—no verbal cues. Introduce crowd noise or distractions so partners must rely on pre-agreed gestures.

Train players to prioritise high-percentage shots and minimise errors during critical points.

Recreate match-intensity scenarios such as tight tiebreaks or deuce points. Emphasise calm decision-making and margin for error.

Simulate a tiebreak situation at 5-5. One team serves each point; the opposing team receives. Use the scoreboard to maintain real-time pressure.

20 minutes (two cycles of 10 points, with brief coach feedback between cycles).

Servers deliver moderate, predictable serves. Receivers focus only on deep crosscourt returns, reinforcing the habit of safe shot choice.

Introduce varied serve placements (wide, body, T-serves). Receivers practice adjusting footwork and racket preparation to maintain crosscourt depth under slight disguise.

Use live serving at full pace with realistic spin and placement. Track consecutive three-shot rallies—challenge pairs to beat a target number. Add crowd noise or time constraints to heighten stress.

Train players to maintain defensive balance, recover optimally, and reset rallies from challenging positions.

Practice baseline coverage under pressure by forcing defenders wide and rewarding quick realignment to centre court.

Place cones at the centre of the baseline for both defensive players. Opponents alternate attacking with deep lobs and aggressive volleys.

Attackers deliver 10 challenging shots aimed to push defenders deep. Defenders focus on staying centred behind their baseline cones and extending rallies. Award 1 point for each rally lasting four or more strokes. Rotate roles after 10 balls so attackers become defenders.

20 minutes

Attackers use slow, high lobs. Defenders practise stepping back to hit defensive groundstrokes, then realign to the centre cone.

Introduce a mix of low volleys, angled groundstrokes, and short drop shots. Defenders work on split-step recovery and maintain centre positioning.

Attackers hit at full speed with realistic spin and placement. Set targets for defenders (for example, sustain three consecutive rallies) to build stress.

Record defenders’ movement patterns on video to analyse split-step timing and lateral recovery.

Introduce “noise pressure” by having a coach call out random cones to hit before resetting to centre.

Add a recovery target: defenders must swing within a marked zone behind the baseline.

Challenge pairs to defend against rapid feeds from a ball machine, simulating unpredictable attack sequences.

Teach players to create court-opening angles at the net, maximising space and pressuring opponents.

Incorporate short-angle volleys into every net drill, emphasising wrist flexibility and precise racket-face control.

Position a mat about a metre inside the crosscourt side-line, just beyond net height. One player stands at the net, another feeds from the service line.

The net player executes 10 angled volleys, aiming to land the ball on the mat. Award 1 point for each accurate volley. After 10 feeds, rotate roles so feeders practice volley targets and net players feed. Coach focuses on wrist snap, racket-face angle, and body alignment.

15 minutes

Feed slow, flat balls to the net player. Concentrate on a smooth wrist flick and open racket face for crosscourt direction.

Introduce varied feed heights and trajectories. Net players adjust split-step timing and foot positioning to maintain balance and angle consistency.

Feeders transition to hitting passing shots after the volley. Net players must volley accurately under simulated defensive pressure, blending angle creation with rally continuation.

Record net play with a wearable sensor on the racket to measure face angle and wrist speed in real time.

Introduce shrinking target zones to increase precision demands—move the mat inwards gradually.

Challenge pairs to incorporate at least two angled volleys per point during live doubles games.

Use multi-ball feeding stations where feeders randomly vary placement, height, and speed to force adaptive angle creation.

Set up a ladder tournament: pairs earn promotion by consistently executing angled volleys in pressure-point scenarios.

Control the middle to reduce opponents’ angles and command court geometry under pressure.

Drill serves and volleys aimed at the court’s centre to limit open-court opportunities.

Position the hula hoop so it straddles the centre of the service line, spanning both alleys. One team serves, the other returns.

Servers attempt 10 serves or volleys, each landing inside the hoop. Award 1 point per successful hit. After 10 attempts, rotate roles so returners become servers. Emphasise body alignment toward the target, a compact swing path, and follow-through through the centre.

20 minutes

Servers use half-speed flat serves to the hoop. Focus on consistent toss, racket face alignment, and balanced finish.

Introduce slice and kick serves aimed at the same central zone. Increase serve speed while maintaining accuracy.

Run full-pace deuce-point simulations. Add a live returner to apply pressure. Award bonus points for consecutive hoop hits.

Teach players to execute seamless forward movement from the baseline to the net, maximising serve-and-volley effectiveness.

Rehearse serve-and-volley patterns with clear approach paths and emphasise aggressive court positioning after the serve.

Place two cones at the service line on each side, creating a channel for the server’s approach. One player serves from the baseline; the partner returns.

Servers perform 10 serve-and-volley points. After each serve, they run through the channel marked by cones, execute a split-step at the net, and finish the point with a volley. Award 1 point for each successful net approach that concludes the rally. Rotate roles after 10 points so returners become servers.

20 minutes

Use medium-paced flat serves from a coach’s feed. Servers focus solely on footwork through the cones and solid split-step timing, ending with a controlled volley.

Introduce realistic serve placements (wide, body, T-serve) at moderate pace. Returners feed a single ball back after each approach, forcing the server to handle an extra ball at net.

Serve at full match pace with a live returner. After the approach volley, continue a live rally. Award bonus points for net-winning volleys or forced errors on the first volley.

Train players to recognise and exploit gaps created by the i Formation, neutralising net-player pressure.

Encourage aggressive, targeted returns down the line to maximise the receiver’s alley.

Receivers stand at the baseline ready to return while the serving team adopts the i Formation. Position mats along the down-the-line return paths to mark target zones.

Servers or feeders deliver 10 balls into the receiver’s strike zone. Receivers aim down the line at the mats, scoring 1 point per accurate return. After 10 attempts, rotate roles—receivers become feeders or servers and vice versa. Coach emphasises early racket preparation, split-step timing, and precise placement.

15 minutes

Progressions: Layering Difficulty

Feed slow, predictable balls to the receiver. Focus on consistent down-the-line accuracy and split-step timing.

Introduce serves or feeds to wide, body, and T-serves. Receivers adjust stance and racket face to maintain down-the-line precision under disguise.

Use match-speed serves from the i Formation. Add a secondary feed so receivers must read and react quickly, earning bonus points for consecutive accurate returns.

Teach net players to identify and punish poor returns with aggressive, well-placed volleys.

Focus on precise volley placement by setting up clear targets and rewarding accuracy under pressure.

Position the net player at the service line. The feeder stands at the baseline and delivers intentionally weak returns (short, slow, or high).

15 minutes

Feed slow, short returns. Net player concentrates on a controlled split-step and firm wrist snap for basic crosscourt angles.

Introduce a mix of short slices, half-volleys, and cheeky drop returns. Net player adjusts footwork and racket face to maintain precision.

Feeder alternates between weak and solid returns at match pace. Net player must read the ball quickly and still hit corner targets, earning bonus points for consistency.

Train servers to deliver reliable, high-percentage serves when facing a deficit, reinforcing composure and technique under duress.

Simulate pressure by keeping score and emphasising the mental routine—bounce count, breathing, and positive self-talk—before each serve.

Create a scenario at 30–40 in a game. One player assumes the server role, the other plays returner. Keep the scoreboard visible to reinforce pressure.

20 minutes (two blocks of 10 serves with debriefs between).

Server uses medium-paced serves down the centre without pressure score. Focus on consistent toss height, shoulder turn, and smooth acceleration through contact.

Reintroduce the 30–40 score and require two consecutive successful serve-and-rally wins to earn a point. Encourage routine adherence between serves.

Use full-pace first serves with realistic placement challenges (wide, body, T-serve under scoreboard pressure). Add a second serve on fault to simulate real-game consequences.

Teach players to recognise and exploit gaps in an opponent’s court positioning, turning observation into winning tactics.

Incorporate video analysis between points to highlight habitual positioning errors and reinforce pattern recognition.

Arrange one pair as “attackers” and one as “defenders.” Position a net player deliberately too close to the net (inside the service line) to create exploitable space. Record each rally from behind the baseline.

20 minutes (four rotations of five minutes each, including video review).

Defender holds a fixed “too-close” position at the net. Attacker’s focus is solely on shot selection (e.g., lob versus passing shot).

Allow the defender to move laterally but maintain an overly aggressive depth. Attacker must read split-step timing and shoulder orientation before choosing the exploit shot.

After the attacking shot, require the attacker to recover to a designated ready zone. Defender actively attempts to retrieve. Awards only count if attacker both exploits and successfully resets court position.

Encourage servers to vary placement across T, wide, and body zones, making serves less predictable and more difficult to attack.

Practice targeting every part of the service box with equal intent. Emphasise deliberate foot alignment and toss placement for each zone.

Place one hoop in each target zone on both deuce and advantage courts. Player A serves; Player B returns from the opposite baseline.

20 minutes of continuous serving with a brief group debrief after each rotation.

Serve at 50–60 percent power to each hoop. Focus on consistent toss location and body alignment for T, wide, and body targets.

Coach calls targets at the last second. Increase serve speed to match match-play pace while maintaining accuracy.

If a server misses the same zone twice in a row, they begin a bonus point from 15–15 that must be won via a serve to the correct target.

Train players to read incoming lobs and choose the optimal response—overhead smash or defensive retreat—to regain control of the rally.

Focus on early split-step timing, rapid footwork to position under the ball, and decisive shot selection based on lob height and depth.

Place the net player near the service line ready to intercept lobs. The feeder stands behind the baseline with a basket of balls. Record each lob feed to review decision-making later (optional).

15 minutes (three rotations of five minutes, including quick debriefs).

Feeder stands still and lobs at a consistent height. Player focuses purely on footwork and racket preparation for the smash.

Feeder alternates deep and short lobs without warning. Player must decide mid-flight whether to attack or retreat.

Introduce a second defender at the baseline. After the smash or defensive shot, the rally continues live. Points only count if the server ultimately wins the rally.

Foster mutual trust and seamless on-court coordination between doubles partners through shared patterns and feedback.

Use partner-specific drills that demand clear communication, role clarity, and quick decision-making to strengthen synergy.

Write a predetermined set play on the whiteboard (for example, server targets the T, partner poaches mid-court). Divide players into two teams: one executes the play, the other opposes.

20 minutes of alternating play and feedback.

Partners rehearse footwork patterns and communication signals (verbal calls, hand gestures) without opposition.

Add the defending team. Executing partners must adapt timing and placement under pressure, reinforcing trust in each other’s positioning.

Rotate through multiple set-play sequences (serve-poach, wide serve-drive-lob) every two points. Partners call the next play aloud before each serve to practice quick switches in strategy.

Teach players to identify their individual and partnership strengths, then select and execute tactical patterns that capitalise on those advantages.

Analyse each player’s preferred skills—serve power, net play, groundstroke consistency—and assign roles and patterns that highlight these strengths.

Scatter notecards face down beside the court. Patterns include options such as serve-and-volley, baseline rally, aggressive return, and poach-focused formations. Divide players into two teams: one as executors, one as defenders.

20 minutes of alternating play and coach-led debriefs.

Players practise one pattern at a time without opposition. Focus on movement cues, positioning, and shot selection specific to that pattern.

After each 10-point block, coach asks teams to explain why the chosen pattern suits their combined skills before playing.

Mid-point (after five points), opponents call out a surprise shift to a different pattern. Executing team must adapt on the fly, reinforcing tactical flexibility.

Train players to assess the current score-line and opponent tendencies, then adjust tactical choices to maximise success under varying match conditions.

Simulate key match situations in practice. Before each point, prompt players to verbalise how the score and opponent strengths should influence their serve, positioning, and rally plan.

Display a specific match scenario on the scoreboard (for example, serving down 0–40). One team serves, the other returns, with both aware of the score at all times.

20 minutes (two different scenarios of 10 points each, including debriefs).

Practice only one situation (e.g., down 0–40) and focus exclusively on serve placement.

Rotate through various deficits and advantages (0–40, 15–40, break point). Players must state their tactical plan before each block.

Assign opponents with distinct weaknesses (weak backhand return, struggles with spin). Players adapt tactics based on both score and opponent habit.