Singles: serve, return and passing shots

Setup

1. Two players on a full court. Cones mark the deep corners about a metre inside each baseline and sideline.
2. Protective eyewear on: passing shots are hit hard at a player who is close to the net.

How it runs

1. Pattern 1, five serves each: serve from the right when the server's score is even and from the left when it is odd. Aim deep, near the cones.
2. Pattern 2: the returner hits deep to a corner and follows the return in towards the kitchen line. The server must let the return bounce, then hits a passing shot down the line or crosscourt.
3. The net player tries to volley the pass into the open court. Play the point out.
4. Game: singles to 11 with traditional side-out scoring and the same serve-side rule. Some events use rally scoring for singles; check your competition's rules.
5. Bonus point for a passing shot that wins the rally outright or a return-and-approach that wins at the net.

Coaching points

• Serve deep. A short serve lets the returner come in even faster.
• In singles the returner has the advantage of moving forward first; return deep and come in behind it, ready to split-step as the server hits.
• Passing shots stay low over the net. Down the line is the shorter, quicker gap; crosscourt has more court to land in.
• Aim the pass for space or below the net player's shoulders, never at the face.
• If the net player is right on top of the net, a lob can work. The net player turns and cross-steps back to chase it, never backpedals.
• Recover to the middle of the gap your shot leaves, not the middle of the court.

Common mistakes

• Serving from the wrong side for the score.
• Returning short and staying at the baseline, giving away the net.
• Trying to pass from too far behind the baseline, so the ball sits up.
• Rushing to the net so fast that the player can't split-step before the pass.