A good tennis lesson plan gives each player a clear goal, plenty of time with a racket in hand, and a simple way to see progress. It also gives the instructor room to adjust when a drill is too easy, too hard, or not working as expected.
Whether you teach beginners, juniors, or adult club players, start with one main skill and connect it to a point they might actually play. The lesson plans below include a practical 60-minute beginner session, a progression for intermediate players, and tips for adapting drills to different groups.
What a Useful Tennis Lesson Plan Includes
A lesson plan is a guide, not a script. Before players arrive, decide what they should be able to do by the end of the session. Keep the objective specific: “make contact in front on a forehand” is easier to teach and assess than “improve groundstrokes.”
Build the plan around four pieces:
- One main goal: Choose a skill or tactical idea that fits the players’ level.
- A simple teaching cue: Give players one or two reminders, such as “turn early” or “recover to the middle.”
- A progression: Move from an easy, controlled activity toward a more realistic rally or point.
- A check for learning: Notice whether players can use the skill without constant feeding or reminders.
Plan for movement as well as instruction. Long explanations can leave players standing still, so demonstrate briefly, give one clear cue, and let them try. If a group is large, organize pairs or stations to reduce waiting time.
Sample 60-Minute Beginner Tennis Lesson Plan
This session teaches players to rally with a forehand and recover after each shot. It works for older beginners and can be simplified for younger players by using shorter courts, softer balls, or a bounce-catch activity first.
| Time | Activity | Coaching focus |
|---|---|---|
| 0–8 minutes | Movement warm-up and racket-ball control | Move safely, track the ball, and keep the racket ready |
| 8–18 minutes | Partner drop-hit forehands | Side-on preparation and contact in front |
| 18–30 minutes | Coach-fed forehands over a low net | Send the ball high enough to clear the net and deep enough to stay in play |
| 30–43 minutes | Cooperative mini-court rally | Control direction and recover after hitting |
| 43–55 minutes | Rally challenge or short-court points | Use the forehand skill in a game-like setting |
| 55–60 minutes | Review and one-minute challenge | Recall the cue and celebrate a specific improvement |
How to Run the Activities
For the warm-up, use light movement such as jogging, side shuffles, and gentle changes of direction. Then give each player a ball to bounce on the racket, tap upward, or roll along the racket strings. This builds coordination without turning the warm-up into a lecture.
In partner drop-hits, one player lets the ball bounce and hits a forehand to a partner a few steps away. Ask the hitter to turn the shoulders, make contact in front, and finish in balance. Keep the distance short enough that players can succeed. If they struggle, let them catch the ball after the bounce and rehearse the swing without rushing.
Next, feed easy balls from close to the net. Aim for a comfortable contact point rather than a fast feed. After a few successful shots, players can take a step back or aim toward a larger target area. During mini-court rallies, ask them to return to a ready position after each shot. The goal is not power; it is a playable ball followed by good recovery.
Finish with a simple challenge, such as counting how many cooperative shots a pair can make. Praise a useful action, not only the score: “You moved back to ready position after that forehand” tells the player what to repeat.
Planning a Lesson for Intermediate Players
Intermediate players often benefit from connecting technique to a tactical decision. For example, a session on the crosscourt forehand can teach players to use a larger target, create a safer rally pattern, and recognize when a short ball is an invitation to attack.
- Warm up with a purpose: Rally crosscourt at a comfortable pace and notice whether players can maintain height and direction.
- Practice the pattern: Feed or rally crosscourt, focusing on spacing, balance, and a target well inside the sideline.
- Add movement: Feed one ball wide and one toward the middle so players must recover and adjust their position.
- Use a live-ball constraint: Play points where the first three shots must go crosscourt, then open the court when a short ball appears.
- Review the decision: Ask when it was safer to keep rallying and when it made sense to change direction.
That final step matters. Players may hit the ball cleanly in a drill but choose poorly in a match. A useful lesson plan gives them chances to read the situation, not just repeat a swing.
Adapting Tennis Lesson Plans to the Group
For young players
Keep activities short and active. Use simple challenges, clear court boundaries, and equipment suited to the players’ size and ability. A child who is still learning to track the ball may need to catch, bounce, and hit from a short distance before attempting a full-court rally. Change the task before attention fades rather than repeating a long explanation.
For mixed-level groups
Keep the objective shared but vary the difficulty. In a rally drill, a newer player might aim for a large target from closer to the net, while a more experienced player aims crosscourt from farther back. Partners can also switch roles: one sends a comfortable ball, and the other works on movement or placement.
For players who are struggling
Make the task easier before adding more technical instructions. Feed slower balls, shorten the distance, widen the target, or allow an extra bounce. If a player is succeeding consistently, increase one challenge at a time. Changing speed, direction, and distance all at once can make it hard to identify what needs work.
A Simple Planning Template for Instructors
Before a lesson, write down the following. A few notes are usually enough to keep the session focused:
- Player level and group size: Include any experience or mobility needs that affect the session.
- Lesson objective: State what players will practice or learn.
- Key cue: Choose a short reminder players can remember while moving.
- Activities and timing: List a warm-up, skill practice, movement or tactical progression, and game.
- Easy and harder options: Decide how to adjust the challenge without stopping the whole group.
- Success check: Note what you will look for by the end of the lesson.
Leave a few minutes of flexibility. Wind, court space, attendance, and player energy can all change the plan. A prepared instructor can shorten a drill, switch to cooperative hitting, or move to a safer activity without losing the lesson’s main purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a tennis lesson plan be?
Plan around the session length, but avoid making every activity last the same amount of time. A 60-minute lesson might include a short warm-up, two or three practice stages, a game, and a brief review. Keep players active and adjust timing based on their attention and progress.
How many skills should one lesson cover?
Usually, one main skill or tactical idea is enough. You can include supporting work, such as footwork or recovery position, but too many unrelated goals make it harder for players to remember what they practiced.
Should instructors write a new plan for every lesson?
Not necessarily. A useful plan can be reused with changes to the drill, difficulty, or player goal. Make a quick note afterward about what worked and what needs more practice next time.
What should an instructor do if a drill is not working?
Pause briefly, identify the problem, and simplify one part of the task. Reduce the feeding speed, bring players closer, or use a bigger target. Demonstrate again with one clear cue, then let them try. If the group still struggles, choose a related activity that keeps the lesson moving.
Final Thoughts
Strong tennis instructor lesson plans balance instruction with practice and give players a path from a simple skill to a real point. Set one clear goal, use progressions that match the group, and leave room to adjust. When players understand what they are working on—and get enough chances to try it—the lesson is more likely to carry over to their next match.
