L-Ad Drill
L-Ad Drill links baseline reversals with a forward approach on the ad side. Original exercises 7.262–7.265; the second-edition route finishes at the approach.
Setup And Route
Use three flat rings. Begin at centre baseline facing the net. Side-step to ring 1 on the deuce side and contact with the right foot. Control the contact in a shallow single-leg squat, push off and move to ring 2 on the ad side for a left-foot contact. Push forward from that foot toward ring 3 near the ad service box.
Four Progressions
I — 7.262: without a racquet or feed, finish in ring 3 on the right foot, stabilize and reset. II — 7.263: carry a racquet through the same unopposed route. III — 7.264: receive one coach-fed ball and hit a backhand drive or slice during the approach. Finish the stroke and control the approach; the shot replaces the unopposed ring-3 landing task. IV — 7.265: direct the approach shot into a four-cone target.
Target And Finish
For IV, at least 30% of attempts must reach the defined target. Record hits and total attempts while keeping target size, feed and route consistent. This is a drill criterion, not a general readiness threshold. The approved second-edition route ends with a controlled approach finish and reset. It omits the first edition’s backpedal after the approach.
Coaching Priorities
Stick each prescribed baseline contact before pushing toward the next ring. Preserve usable stroke space and controlled braking. Establish each contact and the forward approach before increasing pace or adding a ball.
Related Training
See the L-Deuce Drill for the opposite court side, or compare the 7-Ad Drill with its counter drop-shot variations.
Prepare with controlled lateral footwork, single-leg direction changes and the appropriate forward approach. See Lateral Fast Feet I and tennis conditioning workouts.