THE COACHING CAMPUS / DRILL LIBRARY
Under the Bus
Trains the block volley reset in response to an attackable ball, simulating defensive scenarios at the kitchen line.
VIEW THE COURT PLAN
SKILL LEVEL
All Levels
PLAYERS
2
PRIMARY SHOT TYPE
Volley
TRAINING TYPE
Drill
THE EXERCISE
What you're working on
This drill trains the block volley reset in response to an attackable ball, simulating real defensive scenarios at the kitchen line.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Paddles, balls, 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
- Requires 2-4 players, paddles, and balls.
- Both players set up behind the kitchen line, opposite each other.
How to run it
- Player A hits a high but short dink towards Player B - the shot needs to be attackable.
- While the ball is in flight and about to be attacked by Player B, Player A makes backward split steps and retracts the paddle into a defensive position.
- Player B attacks the ball back at Player A.
- Player A resets the ball back into the kitchen for Player B with a good block volley.
- Player A is successful if they manage to get the ball to bounce and achieve 5 successful resets, before switching roles with Player B.
Coaching Points
- Progression 1: Backhand Target
- Same setup and process, but Player A must now land the reset specifically towards Player B's backhand to be counted as successful.
- Progression 2: Four-Player "Under the Bus"
- Requires 4 players, positioned at the kitchen line, playing a regular dinking rally game.
- One player selects a moment to "throw their partner under the bus" by setting up the opposing player with a high, attackable dink.
- The opponent attacks the cross-court partner who has been thrown under the bus.
- That player must split step backward and reset the ball back into the kitchen, as in the previous progressions.
- If successful, this player now gets to throw their own partner under the bus in return.
- Once both partners on a team have been successful, the roles switch and the opponents now throw each other under the bus.