The most useful tennis drills train consistency, footwork and real point patterns: crosscourt rallies, changing direction down the line, approach and volley, the serve followed by the first shot, and live-ball games that add pressure. Before matches, a short routine of mini tennis, groundstrokes, volleys, overheads and serves primes players without tiring them. A good coach chooses drills that match the goal of the session, keeps players moving, and moves from controlled feeding to live play so skills carry over to matches. This guide describes 10 essential drills, how to run each one, a pre-match routine, how to build a practice session and common coaching mistakes.
Health note: This article is general information, not medical advice. Warm up before drills, build volume gradually, provide water breaks in heat and watch for signs of overuse in the shoulder, elbow and wrist.
10 essential drills
| Drill | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Mini tennis | Touch, warm-up and control |
| Crosscourt rally to 20 | Consistency |
| Crosscourt then down the line | Changing direction on the right ball |
| Two-on-one baseline | Footwork and fitness |
| Approach and volley | Transition to the net |
| Volley-volley | Reflexes and hands |
| Overhead feed | Smash technique |
| Serve to targets | Accuracy |
| Serve plus one | The first shot after the serve |
| King of the court | Competitive point play |
1. Mini tennis
Players rally from the service lines using short, controlled strokes. Mini tennis develops touch, racket control and footwork, and it is an ideal warm-up. Encourage players to use proper technique, including split steps and full, relaxed swings, rather than just pushing the ball.
2. Crosscourt rally to 20
Two players rally crosscourt, forehand to forehand or backhand to backhand, aiming for 20 consecutive shots. This builds consistency, depth and patience. Crosscourt is the high-percentage shot in tennis because the net is lower in the middle and the court is longer diagonally. Add targets deep in the court to improve depth.
3. Crosscourt then down the line
Players rally crosscourt until one player receives a short or comfortable ball, then changes direction down the line, and the point is played out. This teaches players when to change direction, a key tactical skill. Changing direction on a difficult ball often leads to errors, so the drill encourages good shot selection.
4. Two-on-one baseline
Two players at the net or baseline feed or rally to one player, who must cover the whole baseline. This drill builds footwork, fitness and consistency under pressure. Keep sets short, around 30 to 60 seconds, and rotate players to prevent fatigue from harming technique.
5. Approach and volley
The coach feeds a short ball, the player hits an approach shot and moves forward, then the coach feeds a volley and sometimes an overhead. This drill trains the transition from the baseline to the net, including the split step as the opponent strikes the ball. Emphasize hitting approach shots deep and down the line.
6. Volley-volley
Two players stand at the net, a few feet from it, and volley back and forth. This builds quick hands, reflexes and control. Start slowly and increase pace as players improve. Encourage a compact punch rather than a big swing, and keep the racket head up.
7. Overhead feed
The coach feeds lobs, and the player moves back, turns sideways, points at the ball with the non-hitting hand and hits an overhead smash. This builds technique and confidence on a shot many players find difficult. Start with easy lobs close to the net, then move to deeper lobs.
8. Serve to targets
Place targets, such as cones or towels, in different areas of the service boxes. Players serve to the targets, keeping score. This builds accuracy, which is often more valuable than power. Include both first and second serves, and practice from both the deuce and ad sides.
9. Serve plus one
The server serves, and the returner plays a return. The server then hits a planned first shot, often a forehand to a specific area, before the point is played out. Many points are decided within the first few shots, so practicing the serve plus one pattern is valuable for match play.
10. King of the court
Players compete for a spot on the king side of the court. A challenger plays a point against the king; if the challenger wins, they take the spot. Points can start with a feed or serve. This drill adds competition and match pressure, and it keeps players engaged.
Pre-match priming routine (about 20 minutes)
- 3 minutes: Mini tennis from the service line.
- 5 minutes: Baseline groundstrokes, crosscourt on both sides.
- 4 minutes: Volleys and overheads.
- 5 minutes: Serves and returns.
- 3 minutes: A few practice points or a short patterns drill.
Keep intensity moderate so players feel ready but not tired.
Adapting drills for different levels
Beginners benefit from slower balls, shorter courts and simpler drills. Many coaches use lower-compression balls, such as red, orange and green balls, and smaller courts for young children and beginners, which makes rallying easier and helps develop proper technique. Intermediate players can handle full-court drills with more pace and tactical elements. Advanced players benefit from high-intensity live-ball drills, specific pattern work and match simulation. Adjust feeding speed, target size and scoring to challenge players without overwhelming them.
Footwork in every drill
Good footwork underpins every tennis shot. Remind players to split step as the opponent makes contact, take small adjustment steps before hitting and recover toward the center of their likely coverage area after each shot. Many coaches add footwork cues to every drill rather than treating footwork as a separate topic. Short ladder or cone drills during the warm-up can also build quickness and coordination.
Using scoring and targets
Adding scoring and targets turns routine drills into competitive challenges. For example, award points for hitting deep targets in a crosscourt rally, or for winning the point within three shots in a serve-plus-one drill. Scoring keeps players focused and mirrors the pressure of match play. Vary the scoring rules to emphasize the skill of the day, such as extra points for successful approach shots.
Building a practice session
A typical session might include a warm-up, one or two technical drills, a tactical drill such as crosscourt then down the line, a live-ball drill and competitive point play. Choose a focus for each session, such as transition to the net or serve plus one, and select drills that support it. Move from closed drills, where the coach feeds, to open drills, where players rally, and finally to competitive play.
Common coaching mistakes
- Too much feeding, not enough live ball.
- Drills without a clear purpose.
- Long lines of players waiting.
- Ignoring footwork and the split step.
- Overloading players with too many instructions.
- Skipping competitive play, which helps skills transfer to matches.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tennis drill for consistency?
The crosscourt rally, aiming for a set number of consecutive shots, is one of the best consistency drills.
How long should a pre-match warm-up be?
Around 15 to 20 minutes, including mini tennis, groundstrokes, volleys, overheads and serves.
How can coaches keep drills engaging?
Use scoring, competition, variety and short sets, and move from feeding to live-ball play.
