Game version
Rally game: a pair rallies forehands and tries to beat its own longest rally, then swaps feeders.
Topspin Over the Rope
Brush up the ball so it clears a rope above the net and still lands in the court.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Tie a rope about a racket length above the net.
Core: Medium. Beat your own longest rally.
- Ages
- 11 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Gym or court
- Bring
- Racket, balls, court, rope or string, partner
- Level · skill
- Developing · Forehand
The steps
How it works
- Tie a rope about a racket length above the net.
- Take feeds and swing low to high.
- Hit 30 forehands over the rope.
- Count how many clear the rope and land in.
Coaching point
Brush up, finish high.
Safety: Use the ball and court for your age: red ball on a short court at 8 and under, orange at 9 to 10, green at 10 to 12.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (soft balls, close), Core (medium), More (cross-court targets). Beat your own longest rally.
Story
You are playing the last rally of a final.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own longest rally. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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