Serving team stays back: third-shot choices

Setup

1. Pair A serves from behind the baseline. Pair B receives, with the returner's partner starting at the kitchen line.
2. The returner deliberately varies the return: deep and high, short and floating, or wide towards a sideline.

How it runs

1. A serves. Both A players stay behind the baseline: under the two-bounce rule the return must bounce before they can play it, so there is nothing to gain by rushing in.
2. Deep return and both opponents at the line: drop it into the kitchen and move up behind it.
3. Short or floating return: step in and drive it low over the net.
4. Returner still on the way in: drive deep or at their feet before they get set.
5. Play the point out. After each point the coach briefly asks the third-shot hitter what they saw and why they chose that shot. Rotate roles every 5 serves.

Coaching points

• Start a step behind the baseline so a deep return comes to you, not over you.
• The partner who isn't hitting stays back too, then moves forward level with the hitter.
• Watch the returner after the return: already at the line, or still on the way?
• A drive only works if it stays low; a drive that floats is an easy volley for the receiving pair.

Common mistakes

• Drifting in after the serve, then playing the return off the shoelaces.
• Hitting the same third shot every time without looking at the return.
• Following a weak drive forward, straight into a volley at the feet.