Two-bounce rule rally

Setup

1. Two pairs in doubles positions: the serving pair both behind their baseline, the receiver behind the far baseline and the receiver's partner just behind the kitchen line.
2. Extra players wait at the side, clear of the court, and rotate in after each game.

How it runs

1. Explain the rule: the receiving team must let the serve bounce, and the serving team must let the return bounce. After those two bounces, anyone may volley.
2. Start with cooperative rallies. Players call 'bounce' on the serve and on the return, then 'free' once volleys are allowed.
3. Then play points. Volleying the serve or the return is a fault and loses the rally.
4. This practice game gives a point on every rally, first to 7, then pairs rotate. Match scoring is different: check your competition's rules.

Coaching points

• Serving pair: stay back after the serve, because the return has to bounce on your side.
• Receiving pair: the returner moves up to join their partner at the kitchen line.
• From the third shot on, volleys are allowed, so the pair at the line can take balls out of the air.
• Say 'bounce' out loud until the rule becomes automatic.

Common mistakes

• The server rushing forward and volleying the return, which is a fault.
• The receiver's partner volleying the serve from the kitchen line.
• Forgetting that volleys are allowed after the two bounces and letting easy balls drop.