Transition-Start Points
Why this drill
Most points you lose, you lose from the transition zone — but points in practice always start somewhere comfortable. These points start in the fire: one player mid-court, defending from ball one, learning that the zone is a place you pass through with a plan.
Setup
Half court. Attacker at the non-volley-zone line with balls; defender standing mid-transition-zone, paddle up.
The drill
The attacker starts every point with a firm feed at the defender's feet and the point is live. The defender resets, advances when a ball allows it, and tries to win the point; the attacker presses. Rally scoring to 11, swap roles. The defender's score is the honest read of their reset quality — and the pattern of their losses says which reset (forehand side, backhand side, at the body) needs its own practice block.
One thought to take on court
Low before slow — bend to the ball's height first, then let the soft grip do the talking.