Singles four-corners game

Setup

1. Mark a middle box in each half with flat markers or tape: from just behind the short service line to just in front of the doubles long service line, and a racket length in from each singles sideline.
2. Singles court lines apply: long and narrow, out to the back boundary line.
3. Two players, one each side; any extras keep score and rotate in on the next game.

How it runs

1. Play singles with rally-point scoring. A shot that lands in the opponent's middle box loses the point; a shot on the box line counts as in the box.
2. Serve as in a normal singles game: diagonally, from the right service court when the server's score is even and the left when it's odd.
3. The serve itself is exempt from the box rule.
4. Play to 11 or 15 with a change of ends between games. For a full match, use the standard rules and check your competition's rules for junior formats.
5. Bonus: winning a rally with a shot to the corner diagonally opposite the opponent's last hit scores 2.

Coaching points

• Think in pairs of shots: send the opponent to one corner to open up the diagonally opposite one.
• Aim with a margin inside the sidelines; the corners are the target, not the lines.
• Return to base after every shot, because your opponent is hunting your corners too.
• Use height on clears and lifts to buy time when you are stretched.

Common mistakes

• Playing safe shots to the middle and giving away points.
• Going for lines from off balance and hitting out.
• Hitting to the same corner twice, so the opponent never has to move.