Starting off a rally is a very important skill to develop. Most players start off every rally with their forehand, often with topspin. You want to start every rally with a specific shot and use both your forehand and backhand. Starting a rally provides an opportunity to practice and develop specific shots.

Players often tell me that they have a weak backhand. Invariably they’ve never tried hitting a backhand serve or starting off a rally with their backhand. They simply haven’t practiced enough. When you’re practicing or drilling, use the shot that you are working on to start off the rally. For example, if you are drilling your cross court backhand dink from the odd side, start off the rally with a backhand dink. Do not start the rally off with a forehand. If you are working on your drop shot from the baseline, start off the rally with a drop shot.

Your serve should be a snapshot of every shot in your arsenal. Since your serve will most likely be returned, you should practice different shots with your serve. Hit drop serves with both your forehand and backhand. Hit topspin drive serves, hit slice serves, hit short serves, and hit lob serves.

You will become a better drill partner and more skilled player if you develop accuracy when starting off a rally. In order to practice specific shots like a low backhand volley, you need your partner to hit the ball in that location. Likewise, you must be able to feed an accurate ball to your partner. This only comes by concentrating on the technique and making repetitive shots. Being able to hit a specific shot when starting off a rally is the key.

When playing a game, always pick up the ball on your side of the court and hit a specific shot to the server for the next point. It is an opportunity to improve your skillset and help you develop your different shots.