Introducing kids to tennis is about more than teaching strokes. It’s about sparking excitement, building motor skills, and nurturing a love for the game that lasts well beyond their first tennis lessons. Great kids tennis drills balance skill-building with play, turning each session into an adventure on the tennis court. Whether you’re a tennis pro running tennis camps or a coach working with groups of 3-4 year olds, this guide brings you a full library of drills and fun games designed to keep junior players moving, laughing, and learning.
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Warm-Up Drills and Games
Before jumping into structured hitting, young players need playful warm-ups to raise energy and sharpen focus. These warm-up drills set the tone for the rest of the lesson.
- Red Light, Green Light with Rackets
Kids run from baseline to service line, holding their tennis racquets. On “red light”, they must freeze. This builds listening skills, balance, and quick stops. - Beach Ball Tennis
A fun twist using beach balls. Players rally without worrying about speed, developing ball tracking and early racket and ball control skills. - Cone Dash Relay
Place cones along the mini tennis court. Kids sprint and tap each cone with their racquet, sharpening agility and introducing dynamic balance.
Hand-Eye Coordination Builders
For mini red players and early learners, hand-eye coordination is everything. These drills focus on controlling the ball before learning full strokes.
- Bounce and Catch
Bounce a ball and catch with hands or racquet strings. Progress to multiple bounces and then a quick ball toss into the air. - Partner Toss & Trap
One child tosses; the other traps the ball on their strings. This reinforces ball bounce awareness and improves soft hands for net play. - Target Practice with Hula Hoops
Place hula hoops on the ground. Kids aim their drop-hits into hoops, learning target-oriented practice.
Beginner Rally Games
Introduce early rallying and teach kids how to keep the ball in play.
- Mini-Net Rally
Use junior tennis balls and a mini tennis court. Kids rally cooperatively, counting how many shots land in. - Drop-Hit Rally
Players bounce, hit, and rally into marked zones. This builds confidence in Forehand Basics and Backhand Movement Drill progressions. - Continuous Rally Challenge
In pairs, kids aim for the longest rally possible. Encourage mental resilience and teamwork, key traits for junior tennis players.
Footwork and Movement
Agility and positioning skills make kids feel more natural on court.
- Agility Ladder Footwork
Use an agility ladder for steps, skips, and side shuffles. Link with quick ball feeds for Hip Rotation and Positioning. - Side Shuffle Hit
Coach feeds balls while kids shuffle sideways. Great for building rotational power. - Shadow Tennis
Players mirror coach’s movements without hitting. Reinforces court positioning and improves dynamic balance.
Fun Competitive Games
Kids love competition, especially when points and prizes are on the line.
- Junior King of the Court
A simplified ladder game. Rotate players quickly, building rally skills and mid-match awareness. - Target Knockout
Hit cones or hoops across the court. Each hit equals a point. Reinforces Drop Shot Basics and net play creativity. - Serve and Score
Children serve underhand, aiming into boxes. Each successful service into the target zones earns a point. Builds confidence in the serving game.
Age-Appropriate Modifications
- Ages 4–6 / Mini Red Players: Focus on balloons, junior tennis racquets, and playful learning activities. Keep drills under 5 minutes.
- Ages 7–9 / Orange Ball: Introduce rallies, directional hitting, and rally games. Add movement challenges and injury prevention warm-ups.
- Ages 10–12 / Junior Tennis Players: Layer in technique like One-Handed Backhand Volley, Service Toss, and Drop Shot Basics. Blend in core exercises for tennis and light tennis conditioning exercises for physical and mental growth.
Tips for Coaches
- Rotate drills every 5–7 minutes to match short attention spans.
- Mix in coaching plans with both skill work and fun games.
- Use activity cards for quick drill reminders during coaching course sessions.
- Encourage mental attitude growth: celebrate effort, not just results.
- Include psychological help elements: positive reinforcement, playful problem solving, and handling on-court problems with empathy.
- Show kids youth tennis videos or video drills from pros like Emma Raducanu to inspire them.
Conclusion
Developing junior players is about joy, growth, and patience. By blending warm-up drills, skill-based progressions, and competitive games, coaches can build strong foundations in racket and ball control while ensuring tennis stays fun. From mini red players to ambitious pre-teens eyeing the US Open one day, the right coaching makes every child feel like a champion.
Coach’s Toolbox: Extra Resources
- Drill Diagrams: Sportplan Tennis Drill designer
- Tennis drills for groups: Explore Tennis Drills for Groups for managing larger squads.
