About Joe Rill Expertise Can answer questions related to coaching and playing tennis including stroke production, skill evaluation, group drills, player evaluation, planning and record keeping, mental toughness, first aid and minor health issues, social aspects of club tennis, tennis rules and regulations, and tennis courtesy. I no longer desire to answer questions on "How to become a Pro."
Experience Forty years total playing experience including: 25 years tournament play, three year tennis club tennis director; former racket stringer; Graduate Vandermeer Tennis Univ I; Virginia HS League certified coach; Asst Tournament Director
Expert: Joe Rill Date: 7/1/2008 Subject: footwork drills
Question What are some good footwork drills for high school girls. We have a heck of a time getting them to move.
Answer Hi Charlie,
This is the best footwork drill we have used. We bought a couple of rope ladders (but you can either make your own or draw them on the side of the courts with chalk). We set up a Boom Box nearby and played the kind of music teens like. The girls formed a line at the start of the ladder. The first one in line got to choose the steps. The rest of the girls in line had to duplicate the steps of the girl in front of her. After each trip through the ladders, the lead girl goes to the rear. Here are some examples of the steps they chose: Alternate left and right feet in each step of the ladder; or hop twice with right and twice with left; or split step outside the ladder then hop, then skip, etc. I think you get the picture. Its like syncopated Hop Scotch The secret is the music. As soon as they start feeling the music they get the rhythm! They loved this drill! We started with CDs by NSync but they soon brought their own CDs to play. The only caution that I have for you is safety. The girls can get preoccupied with the steps and bump into each other. Some of the steps can get too complicated to duplicate so stay on top of that also. Good luck and have fun. Joe
