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Soft tennis · Intermediate · i2

Catch, throw, smash

At a club 15 min 2 players Hall or court

Ready when: Fed volleys (i1) started.

Start a session

What you are learning

The smash, a hard overhead hit of a high ball. It is built from catching and throwing: get under the ball early, turn side-on with the elbow high, and hit above the head with a straight arm, forward and up.

Words on this card Smash, Lob, Cross
Smash
A hard overhead hit of a high ball, like a throw.
Lob
A high, deep shot over the other player.
Cross
Hitting diagonally, diagonally the other way across the body, or down the line.

Set up

Soft balls.

Weather: dry, low wind

The base setup for soft tennis

Show it first for the one teaching

  1. Without a racket, move back early and catch a high ball with the free hand in front of the forehead.
  2. Throw a ball overarm, side-on, elbow high.
  3. With the racket, turn side-on, elbow up, and hit the ball above the head, arm straight, forward and up.

Your part while they practise

Lob high balls; check the elbow.

Step by step

  1. No racket: move back early and catch the falling ball with the free hand in front of the forehead, 10 times.
  2. Throw overarm, side-on, elbow high, 10 times.
  3. With the racket: turn side-on, elbow high.
  4. Contact above the head, arm straight, hit forward and up.

How much: 10 catches, 10 throws and 30 smashes 15 min a session 2 days a week

Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.

The game: Smash deep

Smash high balls into the back half of the court.

Who plays: the player against their own best; a feeder lobs.

How to play, turn by turn
Turns
  1. The feeder lobs a high ball
  2. The player smashes it
  3. 10 lobs a set; 3 sets
Fair play
The feeder sends one lob a set that is a little short.
Points
2 points for a smash in the back half; 1 point for a smash in court.
Fouls
No points
  • The ball goes into the net
  • Letting the ball bounce before the smash
  • The elbow drops below the shoulder
Winning
Beat your best set.
Stars
  1. 6 points for 1 star
  2. 11 points for 2 stars
  3. 16 points for 3 stars

Easier or harder

Easier

Lower lobs.

Harder

Deeper lobs, more moving back.

What you will see, and what to say

  • ball into the net Hit forward, not downForward and up.
  • late under the ball Get there early, then stillFeet first.
  • low elbow Elbow up, away from bodyHigh and wide.

Self-check

6of 10

6 of 10 smashes land in court.

Stop and get a coach when

Changing the grip for the smash.

Fitness for this

Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.

This card trains smash.

awiseathlete.com/sports/soft-tennis/soft-tennis-i2