Two-Tap Drill

Both players stand just behind the kitchen line, facing each other across the net. No court boundaries are required beyond the kitchen area. One player starts with a ball in hand.

1. The starting player bounces the ball and hits it softly across the net towards their partner's paddle.
2. The receiving player taps the ball up to themselves first, absorbing and controlling it, then returns it back across to the other player.
3. Both players continue rallying in this two-touch rhythm: tap to yourself, then pass back.
4. Begin at a slow, controlled pace until both players are comfortable with the rhythm and consistency.
5. Once consistency is established, gradually introduce harder volleys to increase the challenge of pace control.
6. The goal is to make the drill as demanding as possible, the harder the incoming ball, the more benefit there is in learning to kill the pace and reset.

• The tap should absorb the pace of the incoming ball, players should not be redirecting energy, they should be neutralising it.
• Watch for players using too much arm swing. The touch should come from the wrist and paddle face angle, not a full swing motion.
• Paddle should be up and ready at all times, late preparation is the most common cause of losing control.
• Encourage a soft grip. A tight grip transfers pace back into the ball rather than absorbing it.
• As pace increases, remind players that the mechanics do not change, the same soft touch applies at high speed.