Punish the Short Return
Why this drill
A return that lands short is an invitation, and most players RSVP with a cautious drop they didn't need to hit. Volume reps on attacking the short ball — drive, deep push, or aggressive drop, on your read — turn the free ball into actual free points.
Setup
One player behind the baseline (the server), one at the opposite non-volley-zone line with a pile of balls (the feeder). Half court.
The drill
The server serves; the feeder catches and immediately feeds a return of deliberately mixed depth — some deep to the baseline, some landing mid-court or shorter. The server plays the third shot on a read: deep return gets a drop, short return gets punished — a drive at the feeder's paddle-side hip or a firm push to the deep corner, moving in behind it. Ten serves per turn, then rotate. Score third shots off short returns only: 7 of 10 punished with pace and landing in is strong. Hitting a passive drop off a short return counts as a miss — the drill exists to end that reflex.
One thought to take on court
Feet to the ball, strike on the rise — the short ball is only an opportunity if you arrive early.