Sharpen Your Game: Top Tennis Drills You Can Start Today

Drills are the building blocks of strong tennis. They let you practice specific skills in a controlled way so you improve faster and more reliably. Why Drills Are Key Focusing on one area at a time—footwork, spin, or consistency—helps develop positive habits you can carry into full matches. Drills give structure to practice. Top 6 Drills to Try First Start with simple, high-impact drills you can do virtually anywhere: • Warm-Up / “Run the Lines” – sprint or jog to court lines and back to get ready • “The Frying Pan” – gently bounce the ball on your racket strings to build touch and control • Dribble Drill – strike the ball repeatedly off the ground in place or while moving • Backhand Drill – practice consistent backhands with a partner, attending to swing and timing • Forehand Drill – same for forehands: focus on technique, footwork, and control • Serve Practice – work your toss, placement, and follow-through to start points strong Drills for All Situations Once you master basics, expand with more advanced options: • Spider Drill – pick up balls around the court to sharpen movement speed and direction • Home / Solo Drills – shadow swings, wall hits, visualization when you don’t have a partner • Groundstroke Rallies – cross-court, deep rallies to improve consistency, spin, placement Mistakes to Watch For As you drill, avoid these common pitfalls: • Rushing your movements and losing form • Ignoring footwork, relying only on arm strength • Not varying drills, getting stuck in one pattern Final Thoughts Drills are your path from good to great. Start with the basics—warmups, touch, groundstrokes, serve—then layer more complexity as you improve. No need for fancy equipment; just consistency, focus, and intention. The more you practice smartly, the better your match game will feel.