If you’ve just picked up a racquet and are itching to improve your performance, you’re in the right place. Tennis is all about precision, movement, and timing - and those skills don’t just appear overnight. But here’s the good news: even beginners can build a solid foundation with the right drills.
Whether you’re training solo, coaching a newbie, or just trying to keep up with your doubles partner, we’ve got you covered.
What You’ll Learn:
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Easy, effective beginner tennis drills you can practice anywhere
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How to sharpen your reaction time, footwork, and coordination
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Tennis terms (like "open stance" or "forehand volley") broken down clearly
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Drills that grow with your skill level, from basic to dynamic
Let’s jump in.
Why Drills Matter in Tennis Training
Tennis may look like a game of rallies and winners, but underneath it all, it’s footwork, positioning, and decision-making. That’s where training come in. Especially as a beginner, getting reps in with purpose can skyrocket your progress.
From court awareness to racquet handling, every pro started with the basics. You’ll want a mix of footwork practice, reaction training, and technique checks to cover your bases.
Tennis Training for Beginners: What to Focus On
Movement First: Why Footwork is King
If you can’t get to the ball, you can’t hit it. Simple.
Before you master your topspin forehand or slice backhand, focus on how to improve your tennis footwork. Good drills keep your feet moving, get you into position faster, and help you stay balanced when striking the ball.
Consistency Over Flashy Shots
You don’t need trick shots to win games - just consistent placement, timing, and court sense. That’s why these tennis drills for new players are centered around habits that lead to better performance over time.
Add Some Cognitive Load
Tennis isn’t just physical - it’s mental. You’re constantly making decisions under pressure. That’s why we recommend layering in visual cues, decision-making, and variation in your drills early on. Trust us: your match play will thank you.
Drill 1: Tennis Tech Check
What It Works On
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Shot technique (forehand/backhand, open/closed stance)
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Footwork efficiency
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Quick transitions between shots
Set-Up
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Place one Pod on the ground, about 3m in front of the player.
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The player stands facing the Pod, racquet in hand, ready to move.
Structure
When the Pod lights up, run forward and simulate returning a ball based on the color:
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1st color: Open forehand
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2nd color: Closed forehand
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3rd color: Open backhand
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4th color: Closed backhand
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5th color: Forehand volley
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6th color: Backhand volley
Return to start position and reset for the next cue. Tip: Focus on clean racquet form.
Why It’s Great for Beginners
This drill reinforces basic shot types and builds muscle memory with movement. Plus, it lets you focus on mechanics without the pressure of a real rally.
Drill 2: Court Awareness
What It Works On
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Split-step movement
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Full-court spatial awareness
Set-Up
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Spread 5 Pods across the player’s side of the court.
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Start on the baseline, racquet in hand.
Structure
When a Pod lights up, the player must move to tap it using their racquet. If it’s:
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1st color: Tap with the right hand
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2nd color: Tap with the left hand
Then quickly return to the ready position.
Why It’s Great for Beginners
This is a top-tier drill for learning to move efficiently across the court. It mimics real match movement and builds the kind of agility that translates to every point.
Drill 3: Racquet Shuffle Comp (Beginner Version)
What It Works On
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Accuracy under pressure
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Hand-eye coordination
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Lateral movement
Set-Up
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Place 6 Pods in a row on the ground, 20–50cm apart.
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Two players face off, standing opposite the row.
Structure
Each player taps their own color as it lights up, racing to react. First to hit wins the point, and the other is given a miss-hit.
Why It’s Great for Beginners
This adds fun, light competition while reinforcing quick reactions and lateral racquet movement.
Drill 4: Color Switch
What It Works On:
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Footwork
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Squat strength and endurance
Set-Up
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Place 6 Pods in a small circle.
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Each player has a line of 4 colored cones in front of them.
Structure
When 2 Pods light up:
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1st color: Move the racquet to right hand
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2nd color: Move the racquet to left hand
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Then, use the free hand to squat and switch the cones of the corresponding colors
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Return to ready position and reset
Why It’s Great for Beginners
This drill is sneakily effective. It combines coordination, control, and mental processing. Plus, it keeps you engaged and moving nonstop.
Solo Tennis Drills: What If I Don’t Have a Partner?
Not every session needs a hitting partner. With tools like BlazePod (or cones, balls, or even household objects), you can still get in a high-quality session on your own. Focus on:
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Reaction time (using visual cues)
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Footwork ladders or cone sprints
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Shadow swings with focus on form
The most important thing? Stay consistent.
Wrap-Up: Start Simple, Stay Sharp
You don’t need to be Roger Federer to train like him. With the right drills in your toolkit - and the right mindset - you’ll see steady progress without burnout or frustration.
BlazePod is built for this kind of adaptable, reactive training. But no matter what gear you’re using, these beginner tennis drills are your launchpad.
Start simple. Stay sharp. And don’t forget to enjoy the process.
