Why These Top 10 Tennis Drills for Beginners Matter

When you’re new to tennis, it’s easy to feel stuck hitting balls without progress. The right Tennis Drills for Beginners convert court time into real skill: consistent contact, smart footwork, and point awareness. For deeper fundamentals, browse the USTA tips & instruction hub and the ITF Academy coaching resources for proven beginner guidance.

Drill 1: Baseline Rally (Target & Return)

Purpose: Build consistency and rally stamina.

• Hit cross-court or down-the-line for 20–30 balls without error.
• Place two target cones near the service line; land inside either cone.
• Emphasise early preparation and split-step timing.

Drill 2: Feed & Move (Forehand & Backhand)

Purpose: Develop rhythm and directional control.

• Coach feeds alternating forehand/backhand; move forward/back after each shot.
• Play 15–20 minutes with minimal breaks.
• Footwork: side-step → split step → recover.

Drill 3: Short-Court Footwork Ladder

Purpose: Build agility, balance, and coverage.

• Use an agility ladder or mark lines; shuffle laterally, sprint 5 m, recover.
• Immediately hit a short feed after the sprint.
• Repeat 3–4 sets.

Drill 4: Serve & Return Mini-Game

Purpose: Own the first two shots of the point.

• Serve, return, point ends. Alternate roles.
• Play best-of-5 mini-sets and track first-serve percentage.
• Focus on routine: bounce count, breath, target.

Drill 5: Volley Progression at the Net

Purpose: Develop short-game control and net confidence.

• From service line, feed 3 volleys: FH, BH, FH (compact punch motion).
• Stay low; keep racket head stable; recover between shots.
• Advance to full net and repeat at higher pace.

Drill 6: Cross-Court Loop & Straight Drive

Purpose: Build spin/height control and depth.

• Ten cross-court topspin loops, then ten straight drives deep.
• Goal: fewer errors through controlled height over net.
• Adjust grip pressure to manage pace vs. spin.

Drill 7: Approach Shot & Volley Finish

Purpose: Transition from baseline to net.

• Hit an approach (deep corner), move in, finish with a volley.
• Alternate FH/BH approaches; land approach inside last third of court.
• Recover back to centre after the finish.

Drill 8: Movement & Recovery Drill

Purpose: Build the recover-first habit.

• After each hit, shuffle back three steps and split step.
• Coach feeds random direction; react and re-centre.
• 4–5 minutes continuous, 30 seconds rest; 2–3 rounds.

Drill 9: Serve Placement Challenge

Purpose: Serve accuracy from day one.

• Mark four zones (wide, T, body, deep). Serve 8 balls to each.
• Goal: 20/32 placed serves.
• Add a simple routine and tempo to reduce double faults.

Drill 10: Short-Point Game (First to 5)

Purpose: Apply drills under pressure.

• Serve + one rally ball; point ends. First to 5 wins.
• Between points, name one focus (serve target, split step, recovery).
• Debrief: one win, one improvement for next round.

How to Structure Your 4–5 Sessions

Use this plan to cover the full set of Tennis Drills for Beginners in under a month. Add light mobility work and a 5-minute cool-down each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I do these Tennis Drills for Beginners?

For steady progress, aim for 30–40 minute practices twice weekly plus one private lesson every 1–2 weeks.

Do I need a coach to practice these drills?

No. Many drills work solo or with a partner—but a coach accelerates progress and prevents bad habits.

What equipment do I need for these drills?

A standard racket, quality balls, court time, and ideally a partner or coach. A wall or ball machine can substitute when needed.