Tennis Drills for Beginners: 25 Winning Ideas

Introduction 🎾

Nothing lights up a first-timer’s face like hearing the ball bounce from their very first rally. Fantastic beginner experiences don’t happen by accident; they are engineered by coaches with a deep drills library, clever constraints, and a crystal-clear training session goal.

In this guide, you’ll discover 25 field-tested tennis drills that build hand-eye coordination, awaken motor skills, and scale up to all skill levels, from pint-size red-ball rookies to ambitious adults who “always wanted to try.” We will also sprinkle in warm-ups, video drills, and competitive games.

Already run classes for mixed-ability squads? Check the companion piece Tennis Drills for Groups for mass-court hacks and cooperative play formats.

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Why Beginner-Specific Drills Matter

Beginner players need a different approach than more advanced players. With the right equipment and environment, new players can rally sooner, feel successful faster, and build a strong foundation that keeps them engaged. These four reasons explain why choosing drills designed specifically for beginners makes such a big difference:

Court & equipment fit: Red and orange balls fly 50–75% slower and stay below the player's shoulders, so rallies happen now, not "someday."
Confidence loops: High-success feeds ("tap & catch," pressure-reduced balls, extra-wide targets) hard-wire muscle memory before bad habits creep in.
Play & Stay: ITF's globally adopted Play & Stay concept shows that scaled courts and softer balls keep newbies engaged much longer than yellow-ball starts (source).
Retention for your program: When rookies win points early, they come back, filling your tennis classes and tennis camps.

Core Coaching Principles for Novices

Coaching beginners successfully isn’t just about simplifying technique. It is also about understanding how new players learn best. These core principles will help you create an environment that encourages learning, builds confidence, and sets the foundation for future progress:

ABCs before Xs & Os: Agility, Balance and Coordination trump topspin talk.
Service-line success: Start every stroke at the service line so players feel shorter swings and earlier contact. Expand to baseline only when 8/10 rallies clear the net cord.
Motor-skill stacking: Layer movement → contact → direction in bite-size blocks. That boom-boom dopamine loop underpins long-term mental toughness.
Progress, not perfection: Concrete micro-wins keep kids, parents, and administrators smiling.
Family of feeds: Coach-drop, self-bounce, partner feed, then live ball; it's a cooperative play funnel that works for kids tennis drills and adults alike.

25 Beginner Tennis Drills Library

(Each drill includes Setup → Coaching Cues → Progression → Player Target)

A. Warm-Up & Movement (6)

Hula-Hoop Hopscotch: Players hop two-footed through a line of hula hoops placed along the center strap, then finish with a split-step and shadow forehand. This drill sharpens balance and introduces basic tennis footwork.
- Setup: Place 6 hula hoops down the center-strap line.
- Coaching Cues: “Hop soft,” “Land balanced,” “Split and swing.”
- Progression: Add a racquet shadow stroke at the end or time their runs.
- Player Target: Improves agility, balance, and split-step timing.
Agility Ladder Shuffle 'n Swing: Players move through the agility ladder using an in-in-out pattern and finish with a shadow swing. It’s a fast-paced drill that emphasizes footwork precision.
- Setup: Lay out an agility ladder along the sideline.
- Coaching Cues: “Quick feet,” “Call ‘ball’ at contact,” “Stay light.”
- Progression: Add forehand/backhand shadow swings after ladder.
- Player Target: Boosts footwork, rhythm, and eye-hand coordination.
Players navigate a course with cones and hurdles, grab a racquet mid-route, and bounce the ball five times on their racquet strings before sprinting back. This keeps things energetic while introducing basic control.
- Setup: Cones, hurdles, ropes; racquets placed mid-route.
- Coaching Cues: “Knees up,” “Stay low,” “Focus on your bounce.”
- Progression: Add zig-zags or racquet switches mid-course.
- Player Target: Builds cardio endurance, quickness, and racquet control.
Hot Seat Tag: One player guards the bench while others race to tag it and return before being tagged with a soft serve. It blends fun with court awareness and reactions.
- Setup: One bench mid-court; soft balls and racquets ready.
- Coaching Cues: “Tag fast,” “Get back quick,” “React to the serve.”
- Progression: Add two benches or require return hit before reset.
- Player Target: Reaction speed, court awareness, and fun engagement.
Rock Star Rally Count: Players work in pairs to rally as many times as they can cooperatively. At every 10-ball milestone, they celebrate like rock stars.
- Setup: Players in pairs with red/orange balls.
- Coaching Cues: “Keep it going,” “Control before power,” “Celebrate 10!”
- Progression: Add movement before contact or set streak goals.
- Player Target: Cooperative play, rally consistency, and engagement.
Net-Cord Quick Catch: The coach rolls balls gently over the net cord. Players sprint in to trap the ball on their strings, then pass to a partner. It’s great for reactions and soft hands.
- Setup: Coach rolls balls over the net cord; racquets in hand.
- Coaching Cues: “Stay low,” “Trap with strings,” “Drop gently.”
- Progression: Make it a timed relay or add lateral movement.
- Player Target: Improves reaction time, balance, and low-ball pickup.

B. Racquet Familiarization (4)

Bounce & Catch: Players self-bounce the ball on their strings 10 times, flip to the backhand side, and repeat. It’s a foundational drill for touch and rhythm.
- Setup: Racquets and red/orange balls.
- Coaching Cues: “Eyes on ball,” “Control your bounce,” “Switch hands.”
- Progression: Use the non-dominant hand or move while bouncing.
- Player Target: Ball handling, hand-eye coordination, racquet control.
Figure-Eight Balance: Players trace a figure-eight motion around their knees while holding the ball balanced on the racquet frame. This builds balance and racquet control.
- Setup: One racquet per player.
- Coaching Cues: “Smooth motion,” “Keep it steady,” “Watch the frame.”
- Progression: Add ball balance or change direction mid-pattern.
- Player Target: Body control, grip confidence, and stability.
Wheelbarrow Dribble: In pairs, one player rolls the ball forward while the other guides it with their racquet like a wheelbarrow. It teaches soft touches and coordination.
- Setup: Pairs; one racquet, one ball.
- Coaching Cues: “Steady push,” “Drop soft,” “Dribble forward.”
- Progression: Add turns or dribble to a target zone.
- Player Target: Ball control, teamwork, and racquet tracking.
Favorites-Folder Flicks: Players watch clips of pro forehands and mimic the final follow-through position. Use pause/play to isolate the follow-through, and encourage players to mirror it in front of a mirror or phone camera. A fun mix of visual learning and form practice.
- Setup: Tablet or phone with pro videos bookmarked.
- Coaching Cues: “Watch the finish,” “Freeze like the pro,” “Match that pose.”
- Progression: Try slow-motion mimic or record their attempt.
- Player Target: Visual learning, swing awareness, and form imitation.

C. Groundstrokes (5)

Hungarian Drill: In groups of four, players take turns hitting a forehand crosscourt, then sprint around a cone to the back of the line. It’s continuous and fast-paced.
- Setup: 4 players per group, cones outside baseline.
- Coaching Cues: “Hit and hustle,” “Stay low,” “Recover wide.”
- Progression: Add backhand version or rally count targets.
- Player Target: Footwork, depth control, and fitness.
Romanian Davis Cup Drill: Two players rally crosscourt using backhands, switching sides every fifth shot. This pattern sharpens rhythm and lateral movement.
- Setup: Two players per court, cross-court pattern.
- Coaching Cues: “Backhand ready,” “Switch fast,” “Stay focused.”
- Progression: Increase rally speed or rotate in a third player.
- Player Target: Backhand repetition, endurance, and coordination.
Service-Line Mini-Cage: Players rally in a small marked area near the service line, aiming to keep the ball in play for 20 hits. Encourages compact technique and control.
- Setup: 10×12 ft court zone with throw-down lines.
- Coaching Cues: “Compact swing,” “Control the bounce,” “Reset feet.”
- Progression: Shrink the box or switch to green balls.
- Player Target: Consistency, swing control, and rally timing.
Inside-Out Target Knock-Down: Players receive a ball on the ad side, step around it, and aim a forehand inside-out at a cone target on the deuce side. Builds footwork and shot shaping.
- Setup: Cones as targets on deuce-court sideline.
- Coaching Cues: “Step around,” “Aim inside-out,” “Recover after hit.”
- Progression: Add time limit or place moving targets.
- Player Target: Footwork patterns, targeting, and approach shot setup.
Pressure-Reduced Baseline Rally: Players use orange or green balls to rally from the baseline with a focus on consistency. A great intro to full-court trading.
- Setup: Orange or green balls; full court.
- Coaching Cues: “Prepare early,” “Rally smooth,” “Recover center.”
- Progression: Add zones or scoring for control.
- Player Target: Deep rally construction, control under pressure.

D. Net Play & Volley Skills (4)

Catch-Volley Circle: Players form a square and catch a fed ball with their strings, toss it upward, and volley it to the next player. Great for reaction and soft hands.
- Setup: 4 players in a square; one ball in play.
- Coaching Cues: “Catch soft,” “Reset quick,” “Target the next.”
- Progression: Add a second ball or speed up exchanges.
- Player Target: Volley control, timing, and reflexes.
Net-Cord Poker: At the net, players call their volley placement cross or down the line and attempt to land it cleanly past the net cord. Points are awarded for success.
- Setup: Players at net, card score system ready.
- Coaching Cues: “Just aim for left or right", "Don’t worry about accuracy yet".
- Progression: Increase difficulty with angles or spin.
- Player Target: Decision-making, precision volleys.
Passing-Shot Shuttle: One baseliner attempts to pass between two net players who defend a small gate. Roles rotate every few points.
- Setup: 1 baseliner vs 2 net players.
- Coaching Cues: “Look for the gap,” “Set your feet,” “Accelerate through.”
- Progression: Rotate roles or add rally restriction.
- Player Target: Accuracy, passing under pressure.
Approach & Close: Players receive a short ball, hit an approach shot, then follow it with a volley sequence before recovering. Encourages transition play.
- Setup: Coach feeds short ball; cones optional.
- Coaching Cues: “Step in strong,” “Close tight,” “Finish at net.”
- Progression: Add volley patterns or live point play.
- Player Target: Transition game, footwork, and volley finish.

E. Serving Drills & Ball Handling (4)

Serve-Line Pop-Up: Players stand on the service line and practice short, controlled serves using a low toss. It’s ideal for working on fundamentals.
- Setup: Players at the service line with red balls.
- Coaching Cues: “Toss low,” “Reach high,” “Snap the wrist.”
- Progression: Move to baseline or add serve targets.
- Player Target: Serve mechanics, rhythm, and confidence.
Target Bucket Bombs: Players serve from the baseline, aiming to land balls in buckets placed in service boxes. Add music or scoring to keep it fun.
- Setup: Buckets placed in service boxes.
- Coaching Cues: “Visualize your arc,” “Control your toss,” “Pick your spot.”
- Progression: Vary targets or track total hits.
- Player Target: Serve aim, focus, and consistency.
Ball-Machine Rhythm Builder: A ball machine feeds three-ball patterns (wide-wide-middle) as players work on positioning and timing. Great for rhythm and cardio.
- Setup: Ball machine programmed wide-wide-middle.
- Coaching Cues: “Move early,” “Reset fast,” “Stick to your rhythm.”
- Progression: Adjust feed speed or pattern complexity.
- Player Target: Shot repetition, footwork, and anticipation.
1-2-Split Drill: Players serve, then prepare for a drop-fed return ball, executing a split-step before playing the next shot. Reinforces transition habits.
- Setup: Serve, followed by drop-fed return.
- Coaching Cues: “Split before hit,” “Recover fast,” “Stay balanced.”
- Progression: Add live returns or scoring.
- Player Target: Serve + first shot coordination.

F. Doubles & Cooperative Play (2)

Cross-Court Live Ball (Hot Seat Doubles): Pairs play cross-court. The winning team stays on, while challengers rotate in from the ‘hot seat.’
- Setup: Two pairs; cross-court format.
- Coaching Cues: “Cover your lane,” “Communicate,” “Switch fast.”
- Progression: Add rules for volleys only or rotation after each point.
- Player Target: Doubles tactics, spacing, and teamwork.
Australian Formation Dash: A fun way to introduce net movement patterns without heavy tactics. Ideal as a mini relay game before explaining its use in real doubles. It introduces aggressive court coverage.
- Setup: Serve from ad side, dash to deuce side.
- Coaching Cues: “Cover early,” “Signal,” “Play your side.”
- Progression: Add return variation or speed goals.
- Player Target: Positioning, communication, and match simulation.

Conclusion

Use the 25 tennis drills above to spark muscle memory, build mental toughness, and grow that buzzing community around your courts.

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