Tennis drills
Tennis footwork drills
9 free Tennis drills for footwork, each with the setup, how it runs, what to coach, and how to make it harder or easier.
9 drills
Volley & net playFootworkApproach and volleyAttack a short ball, approach, and finish with a volley from a coach feed.12 min · 1–6 players · U11+
FootworkRallying & consistencyCatch-and-throw rallyRally a red ball across the net by underarm throw and one-bounce catch, learning to move and read the bounce.10 min · 2–12 players · U5+
FootworkTactics & patternsDefending wide from the baselineChase wide feeds, send a high deep ball crosscourt, and recover to the centre before the next one.12 min · 1–6 players · U12+
Warm-upFitness & agilityDynamic warm-up with movementLines of tennis movements from baseline to net and back, finishing with split-step reactions.10 min · 1–8 players · U11+
ForehandFootworkInside-out forehandRun around a backhand-side feed and hit the forehand inside-out into the opponent's backhand corner.12 min · 1–6 players · U12+
Lobs & passing shotsFootworkLob, defend and recoverChase wide balls from a net player, defend with a high deep lob, and recover to the centre.12 min · 1–6 players · U11+
Warm-upFootworkRacket and ball balancingWalk a ball on the strings through a cone course to build racket feel, balance and quick feet.8 min · 1–12 players · U5+
FootworkReady position and split stepLearn the ready position and time a split step to the hit, then push off to the ball and recover.10 min · 1–8 players · U7+
Fitness & agilityFootworkSpider run and recovery footworkSprint from the centre mark to five balls and back, using tennis footwork, as a timed fitness test.15 min · 1–6 players · U15+