Beginner Tennis Drills: Placement & Consistency Under Pressure

In the above video, I walk you through three beginner tennis drills that I regularly use with players who have the basics down and want to improve accuracy, consistency, and confidence. I use a PongBot tennis robot, but every drill works just as well with someone feeding balls.

Why these drills work

These beginner tennis drills focus on repetition under a little pressure, clear objectives, and a simple scoring or timing system so players can measure progress. Each drill targets a specific aspect: directional control on groundstrokes, depth consistency, and volley placement.

Drill 1: Groundstroke Under Pressure

Setup: Divide the court into deuce and ad halves. The player rallies side-to-side.
Scoring: +1 for each ball that lands in the target half, −1 for any miss (other side, net, or out). The goal is to reach +4 before falling to −4 (see the video above).

Why it helps: The incremental reward system encourages focus and calm under small amounts of pressure. It forces the player to prioritize control over power and reinforces consistent footwork and recovery.

Drill 2: Deep Groundstroke

Setup: Place cones along the service line. The machine feeds balls side-to-side.
Scoring: +1 when the ball lands between the service line and baseline (deep), −1 for short, beyond baseline, net, or out. Do it for two minutes and tally the score.

Why it helps: This drill trains players to hit with depth, an often overlooked but crucial element for controlling rallies and pushing opponents back. The timed format builds endurance and consistency under continuous pressure.

Drill 3: Volley Placement

Setup: Move the recovery position to the net (see video above). Practice six volleys to deuce side, six to ad side, then six down the line, and six crosscourt. Use a tight recovery zone so each feed waits until the player is ready.

Why it helps: Beginners often can make proper contact but struggle with placement. This drill isolates volley direction and forces quick decision-making and compact technique at the net.

Coaching tips

• Use a ball machine for steady, repeatable feeds; a human feeder works too.
• Keep targets realistic for the player’s level – adjust the cone placement and recovery zone size.
• Provide short, specific feedback between repetitions (footwork, racquet face, contact point).

FAQ

Q: Can I do these drills alone?

A: Yes. A ball machine is ideal, but a partner feeding consistently will work equally well.

Q: How often should I practice these beginner tennis drills?

A: Two to three focused sessions per week will produce noticeable improvement in accuracy and confidence.

Q: Are these drills suitable for absolute beginners?

A: They’re best for advanced beginners who have basic forehand, backhand, and volley mechanics and need to add consistency and placement.

Want to improve quickly? Practice with clear targets and measurable goals – consistency beats power every time.