TukoArrow reaction drill for tennis
Split on the cue; as you land an arrow shows left or right; explode into the first step that way. A random pause of 2–4 seconds before each cue, so you cannot guess the timing. Part of speed and reaction in the 6-week tennis fitness program.
Why it matters
In a match you split as the opponent hits and read the direction in the air. The drill keeps that order: split first, then react, as fast as you can.
How to do it
- Prop the phone upright 2–3 m away, screen facing you.
- Stand ready. On the beep (the opponent's contact), split-step.
- The arrow appears as you land: push off that way with one explosive step.
- Come back to the middle and wait: the next beep comes after a random 2–4 s, so you can't guess it.
Common mistakes
- Waiting for the arrow before you split.
- Guessing the side before it shows.
- Doing it tired: reaction work belongs at the start, fresh.
How much
10 reactions at level 1 up to 20 at level 6, after the split-step rallies, fresh. The arrow trains a choice reaction to a simple, clear signal; reading an opponent's swing is harder, since the direction has to be pulled out of the body's movement first. An advanced version shows a short clip of a player and you react to the swing.
| Level | Split-step rallies × shots | Reaction arrows | Cone drill (from week 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 × 3 | 10 | 4 × 8 s |
| 2 | 8 × 3 | 12 | 4 × 8 s |
| 3 | 8 × 4 | 14 | 5 × 8 s |
| 4 | 10 × 4 | 16 | 5 × 8 s |
| 5 | 10 × 4 | 18 | 6 × 8 s |
| 6 | 10 × 4 | 20 | 6 × 10 s |
This drill needs a cue you cannot predict: a random side, a random cone, a random pause. A partner can call it; Tuko calls it for you, with the beep and the voice.
What the research says
In 19 college tennis players, sprints on a random route improved reactive agility more than the same sprints on a known route.[2]