Paddle tennis, or platform tennis, is an outdoor sport with many similarities to tennis and squash. However, paddle tennis skills are easier to acquire than the skills for these other games. Both forehand and backhand drills are beneficial for gaining speed and accuracy. Rules of the game and scoring are the same as regular tennis with two exceptions: The ball may be played off the screens and only one serve is allowed when playing doubles.
BACKHAND DRILL
Gaining mastery of the backhand stroke is crucial to the game of paddle tennis, as 75 to 80 percent of volleys are hit with backhands. The back-against-the-screen drill provides practice in returning backhand volleys. Perform this drill on the court with your shoulders and back against a screen. A tosser throws an underhand ball slowly toward you, aiming the ball close to you so you do not have to take a step to reach the ball. Volley the ball back to the tosser using a backhand stroke when the ball is close to your body.
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CLOSE-IN VOLLEY
The close-in volley drill allows two players to practice their volley at the same time. Players stand on opposite sides of the net midway of the service area. Using backhand strokes, players volley the ball back and forth without letting the ball hit the court. Strokes are slightly upward with controlled speed, setting the ball up for the other player to volley it back. Make this drill fun by establishing a goal for the number of uninterrupted volleys.
FOREHAND DRILL
Returns in paddle tennis are usually hit with forehands. Make every effort to position yourself so the ball is in your strike zone, between your waist and shoulders. Brush up the back of the ball to give it spin. Practice this stroke by standing near the net and holding the ball between the net tape and your racket. Stroke the ball with your racket in the forehand position so the ball goes over the net.
FOREHAND AND BACKHAND DRILL
Perform a solo drill to practice both your forehand and backhand strokes. Stand in a corner of the court about 6 feet from a pair of screens. Forehand stroke a ball into the right screen so it strikes the left screen before bouncing onto the court. Backhand stroke the bouncing ball, striking it at an angle so it goes back into the left screen and strikes the right screen, setting it up for your forehand stroke. After you become proficient in this drill, practice without letting the ball bounce before you volley with a backhand.
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