THE COACHING CAMPUS / DRILL LIBRARY
Drive and Crash
An attacking drill where a low drive forces a pop-up and the player moves forward to finish the point with power.
VIEW THE COURT PLAN
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
PLAYERS
2
PRIMARY SHOT TYPE
Drive
TRAINING TYPE
Drill
THE EXERCISE
What you're working on
An aggressive attacking drill that develops the drive and crash pattern, hitting a hard, low drive to force a pop-up and then moving forward to finish the point with power. The drill trains players to be relentless in attack, combining a strong baseline drive with purposeful forward movement and the critical transition zone split step that allows them to read and react to the next ball.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
2 paddles, balls, full court with net
01 / COURT PLAN
See how the drill works
Follow the player positions and numbered sequence in the diagram.
CLICK TO ENLARGE THE DIAGRAM
02 / ON COURT
Run the drill
Drill Set Up
Two players. One player positioned just before the kitchen line as the feeder, one player at the baseline as the attacker.
How to run it
- The feeder gives an easy, short, high return to the baseline player.
- The baseline player attacks with a strong, low drive.
- The low drive forces the feeder to pop the ball up.
- The baseline player moves forward aggressively, executing a split step in the transition zone to stay balanced and read the ball.
- The player crashes the pop-up with power to finish the point.
- If the drive is good enough that the feeder cannot return it, that is a successful rep, restart and repeat.
- Rotate roles after a set number of repetitions.
Coaching Points
- The drive must be low and hard, a high drive gives the opponent time and invites an attack back.
- The split step in the transition zone is critical, it keeps you balanced and lets you choose which side to attack from or which shot to play.
- Do not slow down after the drive, move forward with intention and be ready to crash immediately.
- Crash with power and purpose, the pop-up is an opportunity to finish, not to reset.
- If the initial drive wins the point outright, that is a good outcome, the goal is a low, attacking drive every time.