Lateral Fast Feet To Ball-Drop & React I–IV | Exercises 7.58–7.61

Book exercises 7.58–7.61 from Advanced Concepts of Strength & Conditioning for Tennis.

Illustrated Exercise Instructions

Use the photographs and diagrams alongside the written instructions for the selected stance, equipment, contacts, gaze and progression.

Place the short ladder behind the center of the baseline and face the
net while moving laterally. In I–III, the coach stands at the service T
with a ball in each hand and arms raised to shoulder/ear height. Keep
moving until the audible cue (I–II) or visible release (III), then
accelerate to the ball. IV moves the coach to the opposite baseline and
adds a four-cone return-shot target; aim for more than 60% successful
shots. Preparation: matching Lateral Fast Feet (7.30–7.33) and Jump-Over
Fast Feet (7.26–7.29) stages.

Original Photographs and Court Setups

Progressions

ID
7.58
Stage / Variation
LATERAL FAST FEET TO BALL-DROP & REACT (I)
What changes
Respond to an audible signal during downward-gaze ladder movement
and catch the dropped ball by hand before its second bounce.
ID
7.59
Stage / Variation
LATERAL FAST FEET TO BALL-DROP & REACT (II)
What changes
Retain the audible cue and downward-gaze ladder movement while
carrying a racquet. Intercept the dropped ball with the racquet before
its second bounce.
ID
7.60
Stage / Variation
LATERAL FAST FEET TO BALL-DROP & REACT (III)
What changes
Look forward during the ladder movement, respond to the visible ball
release and hit the dropped ball before its second bounce.
ID
7.61
Stage / Variation
LATERAL FAST FEET TO BALL-DROP & REACT (IV)
What changes
Track a coach on the opposite baseline, respond to a fed ball and
hit toward a marked target before the ball’s second bounce.

Related Training Resources

Compare related tasks in the training category and use the workout library for session context. Retain the selected level, equipment and execution conditions in the training record.

Book And Training Resources

Related Exercise Families

Use related pages for their stated tasks. A loaded variation, a firm-floor preparation or a separate test does not replace the setup prescribed here.

Photographs and Diagrams

The illustrations show the stated positions and routes. Follow the variation instructions for gaze, contacts and landing conditions.

7.58 Approach to the released ball; the ladder phase is shown in the diagram.
7.58 Approach to the released ball; the ladder phase is shown in the diagram.
7.60 Ladder-to-ball route. Black circle: coach at the service T. The player responds to the visible release.
7.60 Ladder-to-ball route. Black circle: coach at the service T. The player responds to the visible release.
7.58 Hand-catch detail before the second bounce.
7.58 Hand-catch detail before the second bounce.
7.61 Coach feeds from the opposite baseline. Four cones mark the return-shot target.
7.61 Coach feeds from the opposite baseline. Four cones mark the return-shot target.