Can your players cut it? The Backhand Slice - changing pace and speed

The focus of this week's session is placed firmly on developing your players' backhand slice - Giving your players a greater variety of shot with which to mix the pace and spin of the ball. Read on to learn more!

The backhand slice, a favourite of the Williams sisters, is a great defensive shot to use if you need to buy yourself more time, push your opponent back and give you an opportunity to approach the net! This is because this is a shot that can be played at stretch and doesn't bounce high - making it difficult for your opponent to attack!

As with most strokes in tennis, the key thing to the slice lies in the preparation!

To help your players get into position and perfect this subtle one-handed stroke this week's session starts with a quick technique recap and then gets under way with a series of changing the rhythm of play drills.

Cross-court forehands - The baseline blaster

This week's session looks at one of the most exciting and fun shots that players can strike in a game - the Cross-court Forehand. Read on to learn more!

This exhilarating fast stroke is key for players who are hoping to win their baseline battles. Not only does it enable them to keep their opponent deep on their side of the court but it's also a relatively safe shot to play, with a high completion percentage as the ball passes over the lowest point on the net.

• This smashing session, perfect for groups large and small, will work on your players forehand stroke, inside-out forehand and their all round footwork on the court.

Players will really enjoy this hard hitting session, with more experienced players experimenting with top spin for even deeper shot play. However, you'll have to remind your players that as much as the cross court forehand is a powerful stroke it is only effective as long as it isn't predictable.

Close Range Volleying - Beginners Hand Skills Session

This week's beginners session looks at how you can get your players to come to the net and use their volley to cut down their opponent's recovery time to force the error. Read on to learn more!

Working in pairs for the majority of this session, players will be able to improve their feel of the shot when playing attacking volleys - starting with some fun cooperative rallying drills before then progressing onto more competitive practices, designed to get your players to attack the ball!

But why attack the ball I hear you ask, is it not better to sit back and play safe shots? Well, in answer the answer to this is mixed - Yes, it can be risky going forward and volleying at close range but there are also many positive reasons advocating attacking play:

• Cut out the effect of their opponent's spin on the ball.
• Eliminate the chances of a difficult bounce from an uneven surface
• Gives your opponent less time to recover after playing their own shot
• Wider choice of angles to play their shot into.

Use this session today to develop more consistent and aggressive volleying at the net, ideal for use in singles and doubles play!