Keep Them Back
Why this drill
When your opponents are stuck deep, the volley that keeps them there is worth more than the one that ends the point. Punch-volley depth — at the feet, again and again — is how the kitchen line stays yours.
Setup
One player at the non-volley-zone line; the other at the opposite baseline with a supply of balls. Half court, straight ahead.
The drill
The baseline player drives medium-paced balls at the line player, who punch-volleys every one back deep — target zone: the last six feet of the court, ideally at the driver's feet. Nothing fancy: no angles, no drop volleys, depth only. Sets of ten drives; score volleys landing in the deep zone. Seven of ten is solid. Swap roles every two sets — the driver is grooving third-shot drives for free. A volley that lands short of mid-court isn't neutral; it's an invitation.
One thought to take on court
Punch from the shoulder, finish low — depth comes from the block angle, not a backswing.