Cooperative crosscourt rally

Setup

1. Partners stand diagonally opposite, midway between the kitchen line and the baseline.
2. Cones mark each diagonal service court; the ball should land there, beyond the kitchen.
3. With four on a court, one pair rallies while the other pair counts and collects, swapping every two minutes.

How it runs

1. Start with a drop-and-hit feed and rally crosscourt, letting every ball bounce once.
2. Count each shot aloud. Set a target as a pair, then try to beat it.
3. A ball into the net, wide or long restarts the count from zero, with no blame.
4. After a few minutes, move across to the other diagonal so both forehands and backhands get work.

Coaching points

• Aim through the middle of the partner's court with safe height over the net.
• Recover to a ready position, paddle up, after every shot.
• Use steady, medium pace: the aim is a long rally, not a winner.
• For a deep ball, turn sideways and shuffle back rather than backpedalling.

Common mistakes

• Hitting harder as the count climbs.
• Standing still and reaching instead of moving the feet.
• Aiming close to the lines.