Return Depth Game
Why this drill
A deep return is the cheapest advantage in doubles — it buys your team the kitchen line while the serving team hits its third shot from its heels. Depth on this one shot is worth more than pace on any of them.
Setup
Full court, on the diagonal. Server behind one baseline with a supply of balls; returner diagonal. Mark the far third of the returner's target court — a line of balls or a towel edge works.
The drill
The server serves; the returner returns and immediately runs to touch the kitchen line. A return landing in the deep third scores two, the middle third scores one, short of that scores zero — and any return the returner fails to follow to the line scores zero regardless of depth. Sets of ten serves, then swap roles. Height is legal and encouraged: a high, deep return that buys time to get in is the percentage play, not a flat drive.
One thought to take on court
Hit it high and deep, then go — the return and the run are one motion.