There is one line of players behind the baseline, on each side.
Every player receives “three lives.”
Drill:
First player from one of the lines puts the ball in play with a courtesy feed (if one of the lines has a larger number of players, that is the one beginning the rally). Once the ball is put in play, the player runs to the end of the opposite line (see graphic below).
The first player from the opposite line hits the ball and runs to the end of the line on the opposite side.
No player is allowed to hit the ball twice in a row. They each hit it and run to the end of the opposite line.
Players “lose” a life if they miss (ball hits the net, bounces twice or goes out).
When a player loses all three lives, he/she is out.
Play continues until there are two players left on the court. They will rally until there is only one player “alive” (the other player lost all the lives). When only two players remain, they don’t run to the opposite side; instead, they spin 360 degrees after every ball they hit.
Variation:
– last two players drop the racquet then pick it up after each shot
– last two players pass the racquet around their waist before hitting the next shot
Notes:
– For cardio classes, when players are out (lost all 3 lives) they are being asked to perform different tasks: jump rope, jumping jacks etc.