Drill to Win

Aerobic Doubles

Scott Murphy

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At the Nike Tahoe Tennis Camp we use a number of fun
games and drills that emphasize volleying.

One of our most popular drills is called Aerobic Doubles. When played correctly it really can be very aerobic while simultaneously emphasizing movement, teamwork, and sound doubles play. It's also a lot of fun!

The drill begins with a team at the net and a team at the baseline. Approximately 10 balls are placed on the ground, on both sides of, and very close to the net.

One person on the net team takes a ball to feed. Before every feed, both players on the net team have to touch the net, call the score, and position themselves in ideal volley position, halfway between the net and the service line so as not to be vulnerable to the lob or balls at their feet.

The ball that is fed has to be "friendly." In other words, in a way that can be easily hit by the baseliners. Two "unfriendly" feeds in a row results in a loss of the point.

Click photo to view video.
One person on the net team takes a ball to feed. Before every feed, both players on the net team must touch the net and call the score.
When the ball is fed to one of the baseliners, he or she hits a groundstroke or a lob and the point is played out. If the team that started at the net wins the point they stay there, grab a ball, touch the net, call the score, and feed again, this time to the other baseliner.

When the baseline team wins the point, they then race up to the net while the former net team races back to the baseline. The new net team has to each touch the net, one of them grabs a ball, the score is called, the ball is fed and the point is played out.

The teams alternate like this until one reaches a predetermined score, usually 7 points. As in a match, it's very important to keep track of the score!

There's no walking at any time! If a player walks they're either breaking the rules or are out of shape. Also, once the net team is ready to feed they can do so, further encouraging hustle.

The feeds to the baseliners should be alternated. (The stipulation that there can be no lobs on the first ball only can be used).

Baseliners should be encouraged to try and vary what they do with the first ball. For instance they can rip it up the middle, place it at the volleyers feet to elicit a popup, or lob it so as to take the net.

Teamwork should be emphasized! Talk to each other, even to the point of deciding who's going to feed as you race to the net.

Aerobic Doubles is fast, completive, and fun. Enjoy!

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