Hands battle: fast volley exchanges

Setup

1. Protective eyewear on for everyone, no exceptions. Warm up shoulders and wrists first.
2. Pairs, or 2v2, a small step back from the kitchen line, paddles up in front of the chest.
3. Agree the target before starting: from the shoulders down, ideally the paddle-side hip, the body or the feet. A ball at the face loses the point and pauses the drill.

How it runs

1. Round 1, cooperative: volley back and forth at a steady, medium pace, every ball out of the air. Count the longest streak.
2. Round 2: the coach calls the pace. 'One' for soft blocks, 'Two' for firm punches, 'Three' for fast exchanges, only if both sides are comfortable.
3. Round 3, competitive: start with a hand feed at chest height. Volleys only; a ball that bounces on your side, goes into the net or lands out loses the point. First to 7.
4. Rotate opponents after each game.

Coaching points

• Paddle in front, short swing: punch, don't swing.
• Use the backhand for balls at the body; it covers more space in front of the chest.
• Counter only what you can control; block anything that rushes you.
• Watch your feet. If a volley's momentum carries you onto the line or into the kitchen, it is a fault, even after the ball is dead.

Common mistakes

• Big backswings that arrive late.
• Standing tall, so balls at the feet can't be reached.
• Aiming high at the opponent instead of low at the body.