Called Returns
Why this drill
A deep return is good; a deep return you aimed is a weapon. Calling the target before every serve turns return practice from a reaction into a decision — and builds the crosshairs you'll want when you find the weaker player on a real team.
Setup
Server at one baseline with balls; returner diagonal at the other. Mentally split the service court into thirds: backhand third, middle third, forehand third.
The drill
Before each serve, the returner calls a third out loud — then must land the return deep in that third. The server serves honestly, at real match pace and mixed placement. Ten returns per set: 2 points for deep in the called third, 1 for deep anywhere, 0 for short regardless of direction — depth outranks direction, and short returns in the right third are still failures. Fourteen of twenty is strong. Rotate roles each set; the server gets serve practice at full intent for free.
One thought to take on court
Depth first, direction second — a short return to the perfect corner is still a gift.