Every time a professional tennis player steps onto the tennis court they train with purpose to maximise their improvement. They could be working on their tennis movement, tennis tactics or tennis technique and every tennis drill they do helps them accelerate the learning curve.
Typical professional tennis training session demonstrating a few simple yet effective drills that anyone can use to improve various aspects of their game.
Hitting in the boxes 0:41
When done correctly drills in the service boxes can help a player develop feel when close to the net as well as improve the wrist action and help them learn to generate more spin. A movement aspect can also be introduced to get the player moving short distances and under less pressure with less speed compared to the baseline. Its a great way to warm up as you transition into baseline agility training.
Baseline hitting down the middle 2:42
Professional tennis players use baseline hitting to work on their tempo as they aim to rally with quality (every ball bouncing up through the baseline into their opponent). It is also a great way to work on depth which is extremely useful in a match situation as deep balls are difficult for the opponent to attack.
Baseline Hitting Cross Court 3:22
A player must always train their ability to go cross court as cross court rallies often decide the outcome of a match. A rally cross court keeps both players in a neutral situation as neither player is exposed by the angles available to their opponent, it also allows the player to play safe as the court is longer in the diagonal (cross court) then down the line. Both players will aim to hit good height over the net and often go for as much angle as possible so that the down the line attacking option may become available.
Backhand Slice to Slice Drill 5:46
A slice can be a great way to change tempo, neutralise play or get out of a sticky situation in a point so practising it is vital in a pro training environment. Often the best way to deal with a slice is to slice back so both players are using their slice to "out-slice" each other.
Backhand Slice to Top Spin 6:59
An effective slicer can cause trouble as they keep the ball low making hitting attacking top spins very difficult, in this drill players take turns in using their top spin backhand or forehand against their opponent who is hitting only slices.
Baseline 2 Cross - 2 Line Drill 8:01
A great way to get two players moving on the tennis court without losing control. One player dictates and works on changing direction by going twice cross court followed by twice down the line while the other player works on movement and reacting to those shots while playing back to the same side (either forehand or backhand).
Baseline 2 Cross - 1 Line Drill 10:03
Same as above but allowing less recovery time to the player that is running, it also helps the player get effective at using their recovery step as they have to cover large parts of the court after the down the line shot as they receive a cross court shot straight after.
Baseline 1 Cross - 1 Line Drill 10:42
The best drill for getting a player to work on the intensity of their movement and the ability to hit to a target (ie a weak backhand) when on the run. It is important for the player who is dictating to hit with quality and not be too kind to the player running to best recreate tennis match conditions.
Volley To Target 13:36
Practicing volleys into one half of the court allows the player to train their ability to direct the shots properly which can be useful when they find themselves at the net and have to hit the ball away from their opponent.
Volley and Smash Drill 15:12
Hitting one volley followed by a smash is a great way to train a players ability to close the net as they move forward and then the movement back for a smash which many players struggle with. Using good loading and pushing off the back leg on the smash and staying low on the volley adds a tennis fitness element to the drill too.
Typical professional tennis training session demonstrating a few simple yet effective drills that anyone can use to improve various aspects of their game.
Hitting in the boxes 0:41
When done correctly drills in the service boxes can help a player develop feel when close to the net as well as improve the wrist action and help them learn to generate more spin. A movement aspect can also be introduced to get the player moving short distances and under less pressure with less speed compared to the baseline. Its a great way to warm up as you transition into baseline agility training.
Baseline hitting down the middle 2:42
Professional tennis players use baseline hitting to work on their tempo as they aim to rally with quality (every ball bouncing up through the baseline into their opponent). It is also a great way to work on depth which is extremely useful in a match situation as deep balls are difficult for the opponent to attack.
Baseline Hitting Cross Court 3:22
A player must always train their ability to go cross court as cross court rallies often decide the outcome of a match. A rally cross court keeps both players in a neutral situation as neither player is exposed by the angles available to their opponent, it also allows the player to play safe as the court is longer in the diagonal (cross court) then down the line. Both players will aim to hit good height over the net and often go for as much angle as possible so that the down the line attacking option may become available.
Backhand Slice to Slice Drill 5:46
A slice can be a great way to change tempo, neutralise play or get out of a sticky situation in a point so practising it is vital in a pro training environment. Often the best way to deal with a slice is to slice back so both players are using their slice to "out-slice" each other.
Backhand Slice to Top Spin 6:59
An effective slicer can cause trouble as they keep the ball low making hitting attacking top spins very difficult, in this drill players take turns in using their top spin backhand or forehand against their opponent who is hitting only slices.
Baseline 2 Cross - 2 Line Drill 8:01
A great way to get two players moving on the tennis court without losing control. One player dictates and works on changing direction by going twice cross court followed by twice down the line while the other player works on movement and reacting to those shots while playing back to the same side (either forehand or backhand).
Baseline 2 Cross - 1 Line Drill 10:03
Same as above but allowing less recovery time to the player that is running, it also helps the player get effective at using their recovery step as they have to cover large parts of the court after the down the line shot as they receive a cross court shot straight after.
Baseline 1 Cross - 1 Line Drill 10:42
The best drill for getting a player to work on the intensity of their movement and the ability to hit to a target (ie a weak backhand) when on the run. It is important for the player who is dictating to hit with quality and not be too kind to the player running to best recreate tennis match conditions.
Volley To Target 13:36
Practicing volleys into one half of the court allows the player to train their ability to direct the shots properly which can be useful when they find themselves at the net and have to hit the ball away from their opponent.
Volley and Smash Drill 15:12
Hitting one volley followed by a smash is a great way to train a players ability to close the net as they move forward and then the movement back for a smash which many players struggle with. Using good loading and pushing off the back leg on the smash and staying low on the volley adds a tennis fitness element to the drill too.
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