Good tennis coach drills do more than keep players moving. They help a player make better decisions, build repeatable strokes, and stay composed when a point gets difficult. The best practice sessions connect a simple technical goal to the choices players face in a real match.
Whether you coach beginners, juniors, or club players, you can use the drills below to work on footwork, rally control, serving, and point construction. Each one includes a clear setup, coaching cues, and a way to make it easier or harder.
How to Get More from a Tennis Drill
Choose one main goal for each drill. If you are working on forehand depth, for example, avoid giving a player five swing changes at once. Give one short cue, watch a few repetitions, and then ask what the player noticed.
Whenever possible, move from a predictable exercise to a decision-making challenge. A player may hit a clean crosscourt forehand in a cooperative rally but struggle to choose that shot under pressure. A useful progression adds movement, a target, or an opponent’s response.
Six Practical Tennis Coach Drills
1. Crosscourt Consistency Rally
Focus: Rally control, spacing, and recovery.
Players rally crosscourt from the baseline, aiming beyond the service line and inside the singles sideline. Start with a cooperative rally. Count consecutive shots that land in the target area, and see whether the pair can reach 10 before making an error.
Coaching cues: Recover toward the middle of the player’s available court after each shot. Make small adjustment steps as the ball arrives, and aim with height over the net rather than trying to hit a winner.
Progression: Give one player a chance to change direction down the line after at least four crosscourt balls. The other player earns a point for reaching the ball and returning it in play. This teaches patience first, then a sensible opening to attack.
2. Split-Step and First-Move Drill
Focus: Ready position and reaction.
One player starts near the middle of the baseline while the coach stands across the net with a basket. Feed balls alternately to the forehand and backhand side. The player split-steps as the coach makes contact, moves to the ball, and returns it crosscourt.
Keep the feeds comfortable at first. The goal is to time the split-step and take a balanced first move, not to test top speed. If the player waits until the ball has crossed the net to react, reduce the pace and emphasize watching the coach’s contact point.
Progression: Mix in a short ball. The player must recognize the shorter feed, move forward, and recover toward a useful court position after the shot.
3. Approach, Volley, and Recovery
Focus: Transitioning from the baseline to the net.
The coach feeds a short ball to the player’s forehand side. The player moves forward, hits an approach shot deep to a marked target, then split-steps near the service line as the coach sends a reply. The player volleys into the open court and recovers for the next ball if needed.
Coaching cues: Move through the approach shot instead of stopping to hit it. Keep the volley compact, and aim away from the coach rather than swinging for power. Players should also learn that the approach shot needs depth or a useful angle; running forward after a weak ball leaves them exposed.
Progression: Let the coach choose the reply direction. The player has to read the ball and adjust rather than memorizing a set sequence.
4. Serve Plus One
Focus: Serving with a clear plan for the next shot.
Have the player serve from the deuce court, aiming at a large target such as the receiver’s body or the backhand side. The coach returns the serve to a known area, and the server plays the next ball to a chosen target. Repeat from the ad court.
This drill links the serve to the first groundstroke, a key part of point construction. A player might serve wide and look for space on the next shot, or serve through the middle to limit the receiver’s angle. The best choice depends on the player’s strengths and the return position.
Progression: Make the return direction less predictable. Score a point only when the serve lands in and the player makes a sensible first-shot choice.
5. Short-Ball Decision Drill
Focus: Recognizing when to attack.
Begin with a baseline rally. The coach feeds a shorter ball at an unpredictable moment. The player moves forward and chooses an attacking shot, aiming for a deep corner or a safe opening. The coach then plays a defensive reply, and the player attempts to finish the point.
Many players rush the short ball and hit it too hard. Remind them to get behind the ball, keep their balance, and choose a target with margin. A strong approach shot can be more valuable than trying to end the point with one risky swing.
Progression: Play the point out after the short ball. Award an extra point for a good decision, such as attacking a genuinely short ball or staying patient when the feed is deep.
6. Pressure Tiebreak Starts
Focus: Routines, serve placement, and decision-making under pressure.
Play short tiebreaks starting at 5–5, or begin every point at 30–30. Before serving, the player names a target and takes the same brief routine used in matches. Keep the score aloud so both players feel the pressure of each point.
After each game, ask one specific question: “What was your plan on the second serve?” or “Where did you recover after the crosscourt shot?” This builds awareness without turning the changeover into a long lecture.
Adjusting Drills for Different Players
For beginners, slow the feed, use larger target areas, and allow a bounce before the rally starts. This gives players time to find the ball and learn the movement pattern. For intermediate players, add direction changes and point scoring. Advanced players can work with faster feeds, smaller targets, and unpredictable choices.
Keep work periods short enough for good technique to hold up. If a player’s movement becomes careless or the ball quality drops sharply, pause, simplify the task, or give them a brief rest. Quality repetitions are more useful than a high count of tired ones.
A Simple 45-Minute Practice Plan
- 5 minutes: Dynamic movement and easy mini-tennis.
- 10 minutes: Crosscourt consistency rally.
- 10 minutes: Split-step and first-move drill.
- 10 minutes: Serve plus one or approach-and-volley work.
- 10 minutes: Pressure tiebreak starts or short-ball points.
Adjust the timing to the player and the goal of the day. A session focused on serving may need more serve repetitions and fewer groundstroke drills. Finish with a quick recap: ask the player to name one thing that worked and one cue to carry into the next practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drills should a tennis practice include?
Most sessions work well with three or four main activities, including a point-play drill. Too many changes can leave little time to learn from each exercise. Choose drills that build toward the same goal.
How long should players spend on each drill?
About 8 to 12 minutes is a useful starting point. Change the drill sooner if the player loses focus or the task is too easy. Keep it longer if the player is improving and still making thoughtful decisions.
What are good tennis drills for beginners?
Start with mini-tennis, cooperative forehand and backhand rallies, and simple target hitting. Use slower feeds and large targets, then add movement once the player can make contact comfortably.
How can a coach make drills more like a match?
Add a score, an opponent’s response, or a choice the player must make. For example, turn a crosscourt rally into a live point after four shots. This helps players connect technique with tactics.
Final Thoughts
Effective tennis coach drills have a clear purpose and a path toward real match play. Start with a manageable task, give players one useful cue, and add pressure or uncertainty as their skills improve. When practice rewards good decisions as well as clean strokes, players are better prepared for the points that matter.
