Control wins more points than a flashy shot that lands out. If your groundstrokes often sail long, sit up short, or drift toward the middle, focused tennis control drills can help you place the ball with more confidence while keeping a useful pace.
The drills below train depth, direction, height, and consistency. You can do them with a partner or adapt several for a ball machine. Start with large targets, then make the task harder as your accuracy improves.
What Does Control Mean in Tennis?
Control is the ability to send the ball to a useful spot with a reliable shape and depth. It does not mean simply hitting softly. A controlled shot may have plenty of pace; the key is being able to choose where it goes and keep it inside the court.
Good control also gives you tactical options. A deep crosscourt ball can push an opponent away from the baseline, while a shorter ball to the open side can make them run. In both cases, you need to balance direction with a safe margin over the net and inside the lines.
Set Up Before You Start
- Mark targets: Use cones, flat markers, or towels placed well inside the lines. Avoid putting objects where someone could step on them.
- Begin at a comfortable pace: Rally speed should let you prepare early and finish balanced. Add pace only when you can maintain the target.
- Count the result: Track successful shots, not just the number of balls hit. A simple score makes progress easy to see.
- Use a clear goal: Work on one skill at a time, such as depth or crosscourt direction, rather than trying to fix everything in one session.
Tennis Control Drills for Consistency and Placement
1. Crosscourt Target Rally
Set a target area in the deep crosscourt corner, about three feet inside the baseline and singles sideline. Rally crosscourt with a partner, aiming to land each ball in that zone. Play two sets of 10 balls, then switch sides.
Count a point only when the ball lands in the target and your partner can return it. This keeps the drill focused on a playable, controlled ball rather than a risky winner. If 10 is too difficult, make the target larger or move it closer to the service line. Once you can hit seven or eight targets out of 10, narrow the area.
2. Deep and Short Alternation
Place one target near the baseline and another around the service line. Rally cooperatively, alternating between a deep ball and a shorter ball. Aim for a gentle arc on the shorter shot; do not try to disguise it as a drop shot unless that is the specific skill you are practicing.
This drill teaches you to change depth without losing control of your swing. It also builds awareness of how your opponent’s position affects shot choice. Keep your feet active after every hit, because a short ball should not leave you stranded when the next shot comes back deep.
3. Three-Ball Direction Change
Start with a cooperative crosscourt rally. After three shots, the player receiving the ball may change direction down the line. The other player moves across to cover it, and the point continues at around three-quarter pace.
The rule encourages patience: establish the rally before changing direction. A common mistake is trying to redirect a ball that is too wide, too low, or too fast. Wait for a comfortable ball, set your feet, and use a controlled swing. Play first to five successful direction changes, then switch roles.
4. Height-Over-the-Net Challenge
Choose a safe net clearance—roughly three to five feet for a steady rally—and try to send 10 balls over the net at a similar height. A partner can give feedback, or you can use a visual reference such as a fence panel behind the net. Keep the target in mind without staring at it during your swing.
After you can repeat the height, add a deep crosscourt target. A higher arc gives the ball more room to clear the net, but it still needs enough forward speed to reach the baseline area. This is useful when your rally ball tends to clip the net or when you need a reliable shot under pressure.
5. Serve Plus One Placement
Have a partner return your serve with a controlled feed. Before serving, choose where you want your next groundstroke to go: deep crosscourt, deep to the middle, or toward the open court. Serve at a speed that allows you to recover and prepare for that first shot.
Score one point for a serve that lands in your chosen box and another for the following shot landing in its target. Work through five serves from each side. The goal is not to hit a perfect combination every time; it is to connect serve placement with a balanced, purposeful next ball.
6. Cooperative Rally Ladder
Begin with a goal of four consecutive balls. If you reach it, raise the target to six, then eight. If the rally breaks, restart at four. Keep the ball at a steady height and pace, and aim away from the center without forcing sharp angles.
This simple drill suits newer players and works well as a warm-up for more advanced players. For an added challenge, require each ball to land beyond the service line. A ball that reaches the target but leaves you off balance does not count; control includes recovering into a ready position.
How to Make the Drills Harder
Increase difficulty gradually. First shrink the target, then add movement, and only then raise the pace. For example, progress from a stationary crosscourt rally to a two-step recovery after each shot, then add a rule that the ball must land deep.
Change one condition at a time. If you make the target smaller and add speed at once, you may not know which change caused the errors. A useful practice goal is to record your successful target hits out of 10 and try to improve by one or two over the next few sessions.
Common Control Mistakes
- Slowing the swing too much: A cautious, pushed ball can float short. Use a relaxed, complete swing and adjust the target or spin instead of freezing your racket.
- Aiming too close to the lines: Give yourself a margin. Large targets build reliable placement before you attempt sharper angles.
- Changing direction from a poor position: If you are stretched or late, send a safer ball crosscourt or through the middle and recover.
- Practicing without a purpose: Decide what you are measuring—depth, direction, or rally length—before starting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I practice tennis control drills?
Two or three short sessions a week can work well. Even 15 minutes of focused target practice is useful if you stay relaxed and track your results.
Can I practice control drills alone?
Yes. A ball machine lets you repeat the same feed, and a wall can help with timing and consistency. For wall practice, choose a marked target and focus on returning the ball to the same area with a balanced swing.
Should I hit slower to improve accuracy?
Start at a pace you can control, but do not make every shot a gentle push. Build a smooth swing and add speed gradually while keeping the same target and margin.
What is the best drill for beginners?
The cooperative rally ladder is a good starting point. It develops timing and consistency without demanding precise corner placement right away.
Final Thoughts
Reliable control comes from repeating purposeful shots, not from trying to guide the ball with a stiff racket. Use large targets, keep a comfortable net margin, and build difficulty one step at a time. With regular practice, you will have more confidence choosing depth and direction—and fewer points will end with an avoidable error.
