Benefits: Footwork, hand quickness, hand-eye coordination
Reps: 30 seconds / Sets: 4-6 / Rest: 60-90 seconds
Instructions:

• Get in defensive stance an arm’s length away from partner who’s holding tennis ball in each hand
• Sprint to ball after partner throws it
• Catch ball before second bounce
• Toss back to partner, then sprint back to starting position
• React and sprint to next throw from partner
• Partner should vary each throw’s distance, direction and speed

Coaching Point: Make sure your partner varies the hand he uses to throw and constantly changes the pattern. For example, throw left hand, left hand, left hand and then right. That is more unpredictable than throwing left, right, left. Different patterns force you to react faster and improve your first step.