Many of the world’s top coaches are asking the questions…
How can we get both players engaged during a drill?
How can we transition from offense to defense and defense to offense during drills?
How can we get more effective practice during a three-hour session?

Many training center are now doing drills which involve both players. For example, the faulkenberg drill can be done with both players. Player A plays a backhand loop, forehand loop from the backhand side, then forehand loop from the forehand side while player B blocks with his backhand. The next hit, player B begins doing the looping and footwork while player A blocks. The point of this drill is that each player needs to be able to swing hard and generate tremendous speed and spin while being able to change back to control and absorbing the speed of the ball for blocking. This drill is just a very basic example of what is out there. There are now many many types of drills similar to this actively involving both players.

During one of our group classes, I had the players warm-up with a very basic version. One player loops two forehands while the other players blocks then the other loops while the other blocks. Many of the players felt this was an excellent drill and they were able to extend the rallies up to 20-30 balls. While attacking, I asked the players to contact the ball at the top of the bounce. While blocking, I asked the players to contact the ball on the rise in order to keep the block low and quick. With the added in-and-out movement, it warmed-up their footwork as well.

Check out this simple drill: