Top Seed Tennis AcademyList of Games

1. Name: JAIL BREAKLevel: Grand Prix, Low ChallengerPurpose: Groundstrokes

One Line at Service Line.Pro feeds ball to forehand of first player in line.If player makes shot over net, they go back in line.If player misses shot, they go to pros side (jail).They must catch a ball (in the air or on one bounce) to get out of jail.The last person in must make the ball to win the game.If the last person not in jail misses, pro yells “jailbreak”, and all players get their racquets and go back in line…start over.

Variations:Do same drill for backhands.Multiple groundies…i.e. player must make 2 of 4 over net.Surprise shot(s)…mix up feed or feeds.

2. Name: DO OR DIELevel: High Challenger, Tournament TrainingPurpose: Hitting winners

2 players on one side at net, 3 players and pro at other side at baseline.Net players start with 5 points and try to get to 10. If they lose all their points, they lose.If net players hit clean winner, they get a point. If baseline players hit clean winner, then net players lose a point. Errors do not affect the score.Pro feeds ball anywhere to net players. Play point out.

Variations:One player at net, 2 on baseline.

3. Name: TURKEYLevel: Grand Prix, Low ChallengerPurpose: Forehand Volleys

Line up all players across the net, parallel to the net.Assign each player a number.Pro feeds players fh volleys in any order.When a Pro calls out players number, that player must run to the back fence and touch it, then return to the net.Meanwhile, the pro feeds balls in order to all remaining players at the net.

If the player touches the net and returns before the remaining players can all make a volley, then that player gets a point.If the net players make their volleys before the runner returns, then all they all get one point.The pro may call multiple numbers, or may yell “Turkey”. If the pro says turkey, all players race to the back fence and back. The first one back gets one point.Play to 10 points.

Variations:Use for backhand volleys.Select areas for volleys to be hit to.Net players must make 2 or more volleys each before runner returns.

4. Name: HOT SEATLevel: Tournament TrainingPurpose: Reflex Volleys

2 players at net on same side as Pro3 others on other side of net…2 at baseline, and 1 at ‘T’.Pro feeds one of the baseliners at baseline. They must hit first shot down the line.Net player must hit ball in direction of player at ‘T’. Play point out.Note: Player at ‘T’ must stay inside service boxes. If they retreat past the service line, they forfeit the point.Play to 11 points, then rotate.

5. Name: ROCKY CHICKENLevel: Tournament TrainingPurpose: Reflex Volleys, Doubles positioning.

3 players one each side of net…2 on baseline and 1 at ‘T’…Pro at net post.Pro feeds ball to a baseliner.Play point out.If one of the baseline players crosses the service line, they are not allowed behind the service line for the remainder of the point.Play to 11 points, rotating spots every 5 points.

Variations:Baseliners can only use lobs.Have 2 players start at net and only 1 player at baseline.Have baseliners feed the first ball. The net player must let feed go by. Use volleyball score system. Only servers can win points. If the returning team wins, they don’t get a point, but they get control of the serve.

6. Name: TOILET BRUSHLevel: Grand Prix, ChallengerPurpose: Volleys

Line players up parallel to net on opposite side of net from Pro. From Pro’s right to left, assign each player a title (President, VP, Secretary of State, Governor, Mayor…Toilet Brush).Starting with the President, feed each player a fh volley. If they make it, they stay where they are.If they miss, they go to the end of the line and become the toilet brush. Everyone else moves up to fill the voided spot.Impeachment Rule: If any player can volley the ball into the Pros basket without bouncing, they become the President.When time is up, the President wins.

Variations:Same drill on backhands.Surprise feed to anyone.Shot gun…feed each player 4 balls (fh, bh, fh, bh). If they miss one, they become the toilet brush.Shot gun…surprise feed 4 balls.Footwork…if player makes ball, but steps with wrong foot, it counts as an error.

7. Name: WINNERS & LOSERSLevel: Challenger, Tournament TrainingPurpose: Singles points

Winners side: 2 players on one side at baseline in the ad corner. Losers side: remaining players on opposite side at baseline in ad corner.Pro feeds player on winners side a ball to opposite corner. Player hits ball crosscourt and plays out point. If winners side player wins, they get 1 point and go back in line on the winners side.If losers side player wins, they don’t get a point, but they go over to winners side. Player who lost on winners side goes to losers side in line.When time is up, whoever won the most points wins.

Variations:Same game on bh side.Player can hit feed anywhere.Players line up in middle. Pro can feed to either corner.

8. Name: KING OF THE HILLLevel: Challenger, Tournament TrainingPurpose: Overheads and playing out points.

One player on “King Side” by themselves. All other players at net post.Pro feeds from King side near net post. Pro feeds lob to first player in. That player runs down the lob and hits an overhead back to “King”.Play out point…if King wins, they get 1 point…if challenger wins, they do not get a point, but they replace the King and the King goes to the end of the line.Play for time or to 10 points.

Variations:First shot must be fh in hitting zone.First shot must be bh in hitting zone.First shot must be a lob.

9. Name: DOUBLES KING OF THE HILLLevel: Challenger, Tournament TrainingPurpose: Doubles points, rallying

All teams start at baseline on same side as Pro.When Pro says “go”, the first team runs around their respective net posts to chase down the lob which is fed as they get to the net.Players must hit an overhead.Play out point.If King side team wins, they get 1 point and stay in.If challenger side team wins, they don’t get a point, but they run to replace Kings.Play to 10 points or for time.

Variations:First shot must be fh in hitting zone.First shot must be bh in hitting zone.First shot must be a lob.

10. Name: BLOOD AND GUTS (a.k.a. ROTATING DOUBLES)Level: Tournament TrainingPurpose: Doubles skills and playing as a team.

Pro divides players on court into 2 even teams of at least 3 players on each team.One player from each team lines up on the service line in the ad court. The other players line up on deuce court in a single file line. Pro feeds one side a short ball…The first player in line hits an approach shot crosscourt and approaches net. The player on the ad court must let the approach go…no poaching.

Play out point. After point ends, the player in the ad court rotates out to the end of the line and the player that was in the deuce court moves to the service line on the ad court.Pro feeds next ball to the team on the other side. Repeat after each point. Note: Both sides rotate after each point.Play to 11 points.

Variations:First ball is a volley…or swing volley.Approaching player may hit anywhere.Player at ad service line may poach.First ball is a slice approach.Pro serves and player on opposite side hits a return of serve and comes in.Pro serves and player on his side must serve and volley.

11. Name: ATTACK AND DEFENDLevel: Tournament TrainingPurpose: Approach Shots

Pro picks doubles teams (2 or 4 teams is ok, but 3 is perfect).The first 2 teams line up on opposite sides of the court at the baseline.Pro feeds either team a short ball.That team hits an approach shot and comes to net.Play out point. As soon as point ends, the team at the net retreats to the baseline.Pro feeds other team a short ball.That team hits approach and comes to net.Play out point.Play to 5 points. Winning team stays in.

Variations:First shot must be slice.First shot must be volley.

12. Name: MAC ATTACKLevel: Tournament TrainingPurpose: Passing shots, volleys and overheads.

Pro picks doubles teams (2 or 4 teams is ok, but 3 is perfect).The first two teams line up on opposite sides, one at service line, the other at the baseline.Team at service line feeds ball to baseline team. Play out point. If net team wins, they get a point and stay at net.If baseline team wins, they get a point and go to the net. Once they get to service line, they feed a ball to other team at baseline.

Play to 5 points. Winning team stays in.Note: feeds must be nice. If both players inadvertently feed a ball, they forfeit the point.

13. Name: TEAM RUNAROUNDLevel: Challenger, Tournament TrainingPurpose: Being steady and working together as a team.

Pro divides court into two teams (no limit to the number of players on each team, but even number is ideal).Players line up on opposite sides at baseline, behind center mark with one racquet for the whole team.Pro feeds either side a ball.First player in line hits the ball to other side and passes racquet to next player in line. Point continues with players alternating shots throughout the entire line until the point ends.The team that loses the point sends the player holding the racquet to the bench.Play until one team runs out of players.

Variations:All players may use their own racquets.

14. Name: SURPRISE BALLLevel: Challenger, Tournament TrainingPurpose: Reacting to odd situations and working together as a team.

Pro selects doubles teams (2 or 4 teams is ok, but 3 is ideal).First 2 teams line up at service line on opposite sides.Pro feeds from net post and may feed to any part of the court.Players must let feed bounce and then play out point.As soon as point ends, Pro feeds next ball anywhere.Play to 5 points. Winning team stays in.

15. Name: APPROACH SHOT GAMELevel: Tournament TrainingPurpose: Approach shots, passing shots and lobs.

2 players on one side at baseline (passing shot side) and all other players at baseline on other side (approach shot side).Pro feeds a short ball to approach side from behind passing shot side.First player in line calls which half of the court he will hit the approach to (forehand side or backhand side), hits approach anywhere on that half of the court and goes to net. Passing shot player attempts to lob or pass approaching player.Play out point.At end of point, both players go to the end of the line.

If an approaching player gets 2 points, they replace the passing shot player they won the 2nd point against.First player to earn 10 points on passing shot side wins.Every time an approach shot player replaces a passing shot player, all approach shot players lose their points on the approach side.When a player goes from the passing side to the approach side and then returns to the passing side, they continue with the points they won while previously on the passing side.

Variations:Same game, but take ball in the air.Approach must be slice.Pro may select the side he wants approach hit to.Player doesn’t have to call out approach.

16. Name: DINK EM (a.k.a. TIME ZONE)Level: Challenger, Tournament TrainingPurpose: Slice, placement, touch.

2 players start at net by center strap.First player serves by dropping the ball off the center strap.Players play out point keeping the ball inside the service line.No Volleys.When point ends, other player serves by dropping ball off of center strap.Play to 5 points. Winner stays in.

Variations:After serve is returned, volleys are ok.Only topspin may be hit. Hitting hard is ok.

17. Name: SERVE GAMELevel: ChallengerPurpose: Serve Practice

Pro makes 2 teams, one at baseline in deuce court and the other on same side at baseline in ad court.Line up X number of balls at service line.Teams line up at fence. When Pro says go, first player on each team runs to service line and gets one ball, runs back, serves ball, then repeats. After the second ball is served by each player, they run to next player in line and touch that player. The next player repeats sequence.When the balls run out, the pro counts which team made more serves and that team wins. Note: The first team done receives a bonus point as determined by the Pro.

Variations: Use a smaller area within each service box.Select a particular spin in which the players must hit.Move balls to net for more exercise.

18. Name: BEAT THE PROLevel: All LevelsPurpose: Competition using selected skills.

The Pro is on one side at baseline and all players are on the other side at baseline.The Pro feeds ball to first player and plays out point.Each player takes turns playing the Pro.When time is up, the player who won the most points against the Pro is the champion.

Variations: Approach Game vs. ProVolley – Volley vs. ProTeam Singles or Doubles against the ProAround the World or Team Runaround vs. the Pro

19. Name: AROUND THE WORLDLevel: Challenger and upPurpose: To make balls under pressure.

All players are evenly divided and lined up on both sides of the court at the baseline.Pro feeds first ball.Player hits ball into court and runs to the opposite side of the court. Next player hits ball and runs to opposite side of the court.If a player misses, they’re out.When two players are left, they stay on their side after each shot, but must drop their racquet and run around it after every shot.Last player is the winner.

Variations:Players feed themselves. After the ball is missed, the next player in line has five seconds to retrieve ball and feed it to the player on the other side of the net (nice feeds only).Select a smaller area within the court in which players must hit into.Players must hit ball with both feet off the ground.Players must hold follow through until their shot lands (this rule cannot be used when fewer than five players remain in the game)

20. Name: TEAM OLYMPICSLevel: Tournament Training

Purpose: Passing shots, lobs, volleys, doubles movement.

All players select a partner.Pro chooses one team to stay on winners side at net.All other teams are at opposite baseline.Pro feeds from winner’s side at net outside the court to first team in line at

baseline side. That team cannot lob Pro’s feed. Play out point.If baseline team wins, they play again (Pro feeds other player first).If baseline team wins both points or hits the Pro’s feed for a winner, they takethe winner’s side.If net team wins, the baseline team goes to the end of the line. The net team receives a point.When time is up, the team with the most points wins.

Variations: Players must lob Pro’s feed. Net team must stay in front of Pro’s basket until baseline team makes contact with feed.

21. Name: TEAM SINGLESLevel: Tournament TrainingPurpose: Singles Points

All players in clinic get a partner.Pro places two teams on each court in order of ability.One player from each team play two points each. The next two players play the next two points.Each team serves 8 points each.When the Pro calls time, the winning team goes up and the losing team goes down.

Variations: Play one point…if you win, stay in up to 3 points.

22. Name: CHAMPS & CHUMPSLevel: Tournament TrainingPurpose: Singles Points

There are three players on each court.One player is on the service return side (Champ).The other two players will take turns serving 2 points each (Chumps).If a player serving wins three points, they replace the return of serve player.Only points won on the returning side count towards a players score.When the pro calls time, the player with the most points moves up, and the player with the fewest moves down.

23. Name: BASEBALLLevel: Challenger and upPurpose: Ball placement in competition

Divide court into two equal teams (up to 8 players).One team starts in the field (two players at the net and two at the baseline).The other team starts at bat (one player at a time stands at the baseline in the middle…other players are at back fence or on bench).Feed the one player a forehand. He must hit it over net in the court for it to be a fair ball. He gets three chances (feeds) to hit one fair ball. If he hits it fair, the opposing team must hit it back in the court. If they do, then the one player must return it again. Continue the point until someone misses or the ball bounces twice.If the defensive team misses the ball:

And it stays on their side, then the batter runs the bases until the defensive team can get the ball across the net in any manner.But it crosses the net, then it is an automatic single.By hitting it over the side fence or main fence, it is a ground rule double.

Runners must be forced to the next base. No runners stay on base. They become invisible runners.The offensive team bats one at a time until they get three outs against them.Then the teams switch side (hustle ball rule – when the batter is ready, the pro pitches, even if the defense isn’t ready yet.). The team that is winning when time is up wins. If the game ends during an inning, that inning doesn’t count.

Variations: A player’s serve is the pitch. One player serves to the batter. The serve must land in the service box, or it is a ball. Play baseball rules…3 strikes and the batter is out (if he hits the third strike out, he is out), and 4 balls is a walk. Rotate pitchers after each batter.

24. Name: TENNIS BASKETBALLLevel: Grand PrixPurpose: Racquet and ball control

Players line up at baseline.Place teaching basket at back fence behine baseline where players are standing.One player at a time bounces the ball (either ups or downs) towards the basket and then tries to hit the ball into the basket.The player may continue to hit the ball in the basket until he /she succeeds or until the ball rolls.Then the next player in line repeats this process.If the player makes a basket, then the group gets a point, if the player misses, then the pro gets a point.Play to a score or for time.

Variations: Ball cannot bounce.Ball can only bounce a certain number of times.Two players go together and must pass to each other with only a specified number of bounces each pass.

25. Name: FOUR SQUARELevel: Grand Prix, Low ChallengerPurpose: Ball control, rallying.

This game is played in the service boxes (alleys included, but nothing deeper than the service line).One player stands just behind each serve box. All other players stand in line at net post.Pro feeds any player, and all players play point out.When the point is over, the player who missed goes to the end of the line and all players move up, if a spot is open. The goal is to move in a clockwise direction to get to the ‘A’ box.When a point ends, all players who are still in get one point.Play to a score or until time is up.

26. Name: BEAUTY CONTESTLevel: Grand Prix, ChallengerPurpose: Stroke Form

This game is fed the same way as 3 ball forehands, except you only feed one player at a time.As in gymnastics, every forehand gets a score between 1.0 and 10.0 (perfect). A player can earn as high as an 8.0 without hitting the ball into the court. The score is for the look of the stroke. Things to look for when scoring are:

Shoulder under chin at end of follow through.Racquet arm up high and relatively straight with butt cap facing pro.Back foot on ground with toe only.Front foot holds most of the weight.

Things to look for when giving a higher score than 8.0:Ball flight isn’t too high.Back swing as a bit of a loop to it.Ball has topspin on it.Ball goes towards a specified target.

Variations: Use for Backhands, Volleys, and Overheads.

27. Name: HORSE – SERVES

Level: Challenger, Tournament TrainingPurpose: Serve placement and spin variation.

Divide court into two sides, the ad side and the deuce side.Players line up at baseline in service position, one on each side at a time.First player up calls type and placement of serve (i.e. kick serve to the ‘T’).If player makes serve as called, the next player must duplicate serve. If they miss or use the wrong spin, they get a letter (H – O – R – S – E).When they have spelled the word “horse”, they lose.If player is able to duplicate serve, then the next player must also duplicate serve, and so on until it goes back to the original server.If player who calls serve misses serve, then the next player gets to call their serve. There is no penalty if the server calls the serve and misses it.

Variations: Use same game for forehands or backhands.For challenger level, don’t make them call the type of spin.

28. Name: SPIDERLevel: Tournament TrainingPurpose: Volleys, Passing shots and lobs

Pro selects 2 players to play at net on pro’s side (they are eligible to earn points).All other players line up in a single file line at baseline.Pro feeds first player in line a forehand. They play out point.If the net players win, they both add a point to their individual scores (there are no team scores).If the baseliner wins the point, he replaces the person he defeated (the pro determines who was responsible for losing the point).While the baseliner is running to the other side, the pro feeds the next ball.The remaining net player must defend the whole court until the new net player can come and help (note: if the player running to the net doesn’t hustle, the pro may blame that player for the lost point and send them back to the baseline).The first player to win 10 points on the net side wins.

29. Name: Overhead / Lob GameLevel: Tournament TrainingPurpose: Lob and overhead practice

This is a one on one game, with one player at net and the opponent on the ad side at baseline.Pro feeds net player a volley. Net player volleys to baseliner, who must lob.Net player may only hit forehand overheads and baseliner may only lob.The net player may hit overheads anywhere on ad side (no doubles). The baseliner may lob anywhere in the singles court.Play first player to reach 7 points wins.

Variations: Play baseliner on deuce court.Play 2 players at baseline and one at net. The net player may hit anywhere in the singles court.

30. Name: 3 ON 3 – TRIPLES Level: Tournament TrainingPurpose: Doubles positioning

Pro places 3 players on each side of court, 2 at baseline on deuce and ad court and one at service line.Pro feeds ball to either team’s baseliners.Players play out point…net players may not go behind service line or they forfeit point.If a baseline player goes inside service line, they must stay inside service line for the remainder of the point.After 5 points, players rotate in a clockwise direction on their own side of the net.Play until one team to win 11 points.

31. Name: The Doubles GameLevel: Tournament TrainingPurpose: Transition game and doubles positioning

Pro selects one team to stay on winning side with Pro.All other teams go to other baseline.Pro feeds a short ball. First team comes in and plays out point at the net. IF the baseline team wins, then Pro feeds an overhead to the other player…play out point. IF the baseline team wins again, he feeds another overhead…IF baseline team also wins that point, they replace winning team on Pro’s side.Whenever baseline team loses point, they go to back of line and switch sides.Play countdown to 15.

Variations: Pro feeds first ball as a volley instead of a short ball.When playing bump ups, all points are counted in total score, but a team must win three points in a row on their turn to come to winners side.First approach shot must be hit with slice.

32. Name: Rush and CrushLevel: Tournament TrainingPurpose: Volleys, reflex volleys

Pro picks teams of 3 players each.Each team lines up all 3 players at the baseline at opposite ends of the court.

Pro says go and then feeds any player any kind of feed. Play out point and then all players back up to baseline.Repeat process. The team that wins 7 points first stays in and plays a new team.

Variations:First feed can be a high short ball, low short ball, or a high or low volley…pro’s choice.

33. Name: Space Invaders Level: Tournament Training

Purpose: Volleys, Reflex Volleys

Pro picks 3-4 players per team and lines each team up on the service line. Pro feeds one side and all players play the point out. Whoever makes the mistake, goes out of the line-up and that team is reduced by 1 player. Team receives point when all players on the other team are out. Play first team to 5 points.

Variations:If a player hits a winner during the game they can bring one of their players already out back into the rotation. You can also make each shot be taken out of the air.

34. Name: Tennis Volleyball Level: Tournament Training

Purpose: Volleys and Touch

Pro selects 2-4 players per team. Each team lines up on the service line. The ball can’t bounce outside the service box. The ball can only bounce once on the teams side each time it comes over. The ball also must be passed at least once before it can go back over the other side. Play first team to 5 points.

Variations: You can have a set number of passes per team, or everyone on the side must touch ball before it goes back over. You could also allow two bounces per team.