Tennis Drills

Coach stands on the player's side Coach drops 2 balls from each position (in front of the player, on the side, behind the player). Player runs 2 times to each position and executes regular forehand with aim to keep balanced body

In this drill, player works on slice skills while using different footwork patterns Player stands on the deuce side Coach feeds balls to the ad side Player alternates hitting backhand slice in balanced position and backhand slice while sliding

Coach feeds one short ball and one deeper ball to the ad side. Player moves forward to the short ball and hits an offensive backhand cross-court. Player then recovers and moves back to the deeper ball and hits forehand topspin inside out.

Hitting on the run is a skill that has to be practiced often because players must learn to control the distance between the body and the ball and how to hit the shot while still moving. In this exercise, the player aims for the middle of the court because it is the best defensive tactical return. This is because there is more court to aim for and the middle of the net is lower. Players should also know that hitting on the run forces them to lose time as they stop, change direction and recover. So tell your players to aim high over the net to gain additional recovery time while the ball is in the air.

Player works on returns Cones are set on the player’s side to leave spaces where player can move diagonally to hit the ball

The player stands between 2 cones. The coach and player rally with each other. The coach tries to hit all the balls between the cones, which the player then hits the ball and runs around the cone according to the stroke he chose. If the player hits a forehand he has to run around the right cone. If the player hits a backhand he has to run around left cone. Adding decision making skill to simple rally is a great way to teach your players how to act under the time pressure. If the player is able to maintain consistency while making right decisions, then they won't have problems with smart strategy during the match. It is important to design drills that are consisted of skills that players have to use during competition because the more similar the practice environment to the competitive one, the easier it will be to perform at the same level day by day.

Coach feeds neutral ball to the deuce side. Player hits deep forehand cross-court. Coach feeds easy ball to the ad side. Player moves inside the court and hits offensive backhand cross-court.

Coach is stationed on feeding position 2 and players start off middle baseline and moves to hit forehand then moves to hit a backhand.

Player starts in centre, having recieved a ball from the backhand side of the court. Player has to hit back the 1st backhand the 2nd forehand and finishes with a backhand down the line into the open court.

Coach rallies with player. Coach stays in ad corner. Coach uses own shots to move player around the court. Player hits all the balls back to the ad corner using only forehand stroke.

Cones are set in front of the player. Coach stands behind the player and tosses the ball over the players' head. Player runs forward, catches the ball on the racquet and run around the cones without dropping the ball.

The player stands in one corner of the court, with the coach on the opposite side of the baseline. The coach drops the ball from shoulder height and the player must sprint across the baseline and hit the ball, before returning to their starting position.

Set up two sets of cones around 1metre inside the service line, either side of the coach who stands in the centre of the court. The coach then feeds balls to the player so he/she has to hit either and backhand or forehand down the line shot. The player must execute all strokes in down the line direction aiming for between the cones.

Coach stands on the ad side. Cones are set on the deuce side. Coach throws random balls. Player’s goal is to hit 3 balls in a row back to coach and forth one into the cones.

The coach stands in front of the player and throws 1 short 1 deep ball to the backhand side. Player's goal is to hit backhands moving inside and outside of the baseline. Proper footwork is crucial if we are thinking about effective tennis play. Many mistakes are made because of improper legs' work so that is why players have to spend more time on drills that are based on intense footwork. Having strong legs and being quick are 2 skills that make us play better as also increase our self-confidence because we know our capabilities.

Player stands on the baseline and prepares to receive the ball. The coach alternates between throwing the ball low and then one high to the player's backhand side. The player must alternate hitting the ball using a backhand stroke after the ball bounces and then with a backhand while the ball is still in the air.