Tennis · Overhead & smash

Overhead smash from feeds

Turn side-on, move back under coach-fed lobs and smash into the corners, then close the net again.

COP1
Start / 5
Time
12 min
Players
1–6
Age
U11+
Area
Full court
Equipment
basket of balls2 cones

Setup

  1. Coach feeds lobs from the far baseline.
  2. Player starts at the net, a racket length back from it.
  3. Cones in the two far deep corners are the targets.

How it runs

  1. Player touches the net with the racket, then the coach feeds a lob.
  2. Player turns side-on, moves back under the ball and smashes to a corner.
  3. Player runs forward to touch the net again before the next lob.
  4. Sets of 6, getting deeper each time; rotate after each set.

Coaching points

  • Continental grip, the same as the serve.
  • Turn side-on straight away and point the non-hitting hand at the ball.
  • Side-step or crossover step back; never backpedal facing the net.
  • Hit the ball in front and above the hitting shoulder, finish down across the body.

Common mistakes

  • Backpedalling square-on and falling backwards.
  • Letting the ball drop too low before swinging.
  • Going for full power on every ball and missing long.

Say it: “Turn, point, reach.”

Make it harder

  • Very deep lobs: let them bounce, then smash.
  • Coach calls the target corner late.

Make it easier

  • Feed lower, shorter lobs close to the service line.
  • Catch the lob with the non-hitting hand first to learn the position.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.