There is a popular theory that 10,000 hours of practice can give you mastery over a task.
Tennis offers great exercise, but it requires practice. What’s more, it’s a game you can play your entire life. If you love the game, you’ll have decades to work on your skills.
So, if practice does indeed make perfect, let’s take a look at some of the exercises you can work at on the court. Keep reading to discover 5 tennis drills that are sure to improve your game.
1) Racket Dribbling
While a tennis match takes at least two players, many of these drills can be practiced by yourself. Racket dribbling is one of the recommended tennis drills for beginners. This is one of the easiest tips to pick up.
Hold the tennis racket with your forehand grip. From here, bounce a ball on the face of the racket. Try to keep the ball hitting the same spot. This drill works on hand-eye coordination.
As you improve, increase the speed of the dribble, keep track of the dribbles and length of time. It sounds simple, but it’s one of the best tennis drills for kids through adults.
2) Spider Run
The game is not all about hand-eye coordination. Equally important are tennis footwork drills. The spider run is an effective routine to quicken your steps.
To run the spider, put two tennis balls at the corners of the baseline and singles edge. Place two more at the singles edge and the service line. Standing in the center of the grid, run to each of the balls and return to the center.
These movements replicate the footwork needed when playing a match. The more this drill is practiced, the faster you’ll find yourself moving about the court.
3) Volley to Volley
A volley in tennis is a shot where the player strikes the ball before it hits the ground. Volleys are a critical aspect of the game. Fortunately, there is a great drill for practicing them.
The drill requires two players. Each will stand at the service line on either side of the net. Begin by hitting the ball across the net. The other player will volley the ball back. Continue hitting these short volleys back and forth.
With practice, your volley game will dramatically improve.
4) Overhead Return
During a game, it’s common to get caught at the net with the ball soaring above your head. However, there are tennis drills for groups that focus on overhead returns.
Start on the baseline of the court with another player on the other side. To begin, run up within arm’s length of the net. At this point, the other player will feed you and overhead lob. The trick is to return to the backcourt fast enough to hit the lob.
Speed, backpedaling, and awareness are all on display in the overhead return.
5) Backhand-Forehand Alternation
A difficult aspect of tennis is alternating between forehand and backhand. When you watch professional players, they make it look easy. Yet, with practice, you can hone your game.
Start in the backcourt; the player across will hit your forehand side. Return with your forehand swing. The next hit will go to your backhand side. Alternate sides with each hit. It doesn’t have to be a powerful shot; this is a drill after all.
The idea is to work on your ability to alternate between fore and backhand grip. This will also improve your lateral movement and swing.
Practice these Tennis Drills
Whether you are new to the game or have been playing for years, there is always room for improvement. Practice these tennis drills the next time you are on the court.
This is just the beginning. Next, take a look at some coach’s tips to enhance your skills.
