This section contains tennis drills designed to help players make better decisions and handle pressure situations on the tennis court.
By practicing mental strength tennis drills, players will become smarter competitors.
Note: Even though most of the drills are presented for two players, with a little creativity they can be adapted to three, four, or large groups of players.
Ultimate Tie-Break
Two players compete in a 10-point tie-break where each player has only one try to get the serve in.
Variations:
– the serve can only be delivered with a slice or kick, the player’s choice before the point begins;
– the returner can attack the serve and move up to the net (putting extra pressure on the server);
– players can serve and volley (move up to the net following the serve).
Court Handicap – Half vs Full
Two players, A and B, start at the baseline on opposite sides. Player A covers the full singles court, player B covers only half court with no alley.
They play a regular game (serve, return, regular scoring system) except that player B can hit anywhere within the singles court but player A can only hit to half the court on the opposite side.
Play first to win 6 games, changing sides as in a regular set. Switch roles after that.
Stroke Handicap – Weak vs Strong
Two players, A and B, start at the baseline, opposite sides, both playing only on half the court (baseline to baseline / singles sideline to center line).
The rally starts with a “drop and hit” by either player.
Player A is allowed to hit only backhands (assuming that it is the weakest shot for her); player B can hit anything she wants (preferably forehands if that is her strong side).
Play first to win 11 points. Switch roles after that.
Note: Good drill to learn how to handle playing under the pressure of being attacked on the weak side.
Three to Win Three
Two players compete in a singles game where one of them is the server, the other is returner.
In order to score and win a game, one must earn three points in a row.
This could take awhile but as soon as one of the players wins 3 points in a row he/she wins a game and players switch roles (server becomes returner).
Play first to three games.
Note:
The purpose of this drill is to teach players to stay focused and learn how to handle pressure.
Get instant access to many more mental strength drills inside the Tennis Drills and Lesson Plans for Coaches program!