7 Tennis Drills for Advanced Players to Elevate Your Game

Are you ready to take your tennis game to the next level? Whether you’re a competitive player or just looking to challenge yourself, these 7 tennis drills for advanced players will push you to your limits and beyond. As the legendary Billie Jean King once said, “Champions keep playing until they get it right.”

And that’s exactly what we’re aiming for with these drills!

Did you know that professional tennis players spend an average of 4-6 hours a day practicing? It’s time to channel that dedication and elevate your skills. Alot of these drills involve alot of fast sharp movements on the court. Make sure you are wearing your favourite tennis shoes to prevent injury.

Let’s dive into seven game-changing drills that’ll have you moving, thinking, and playing like a pro in no time!

7 Tennis Drills for Advanced Players

Drill 1: The Spider Web Agility Drill

• Set up 6 tennis balls in a hexagon shape, about 3 feet apart
• Start in the center of the hexagon
• Sprint to each ball, touch it, and return to the center before moving to the next
• Complete the circuit clockwise, then counterclockwise
• Aim for 3 sets of 30 seconds each, with 15-second rest intervals

This drill will test your footwork, agility, and endurance all at once. The key here is to stay low and use quick, short steps. Keep your core engaged and your eyes focused on each target. As you improve, try to increase your speed without sacrificing form. Remember, it’s not just about touching the balls – it’s about developing that lightning-fast court coverage that’ll leave your opponents wondering how you got to that impossible shot!

Drill 2: The Serve and Volley Sprint

• Start at the baseline with a bucket of balls
• Serve and immediately sprint to the net
• Have a partner or ball machine feed a ball for you to volley
• Retreat to the baseline and repeat
• Perform 10 repetitions, then switch sides

This drill is a true test of endurance and quick transitions. Focus on explosive movement off the serve and maintaining good volley technique even when you’re breathing hard. As you get more comfortable, try to add some variety to your serves and volleys. Can you hit a kick serve and then sprint in for a backhand volley? Mix it up and keep your body guessing!

Drill 3: The Around-the-World Groundstroke Challenge

• Position yourself at the center of the baseline
• Have a partner or ball machine feed balls to alternating corners
• Hit a forehand, then backhand, moving around the court in a circular motion
• Complete 20 shots without missing, then change direction
• Aim for 3 sets of 20 successful shots each

This drill is all about consistency, footwork, and maintaining proper technique under pressure. The key is to recover quickly to the center after each shot. Don’t just stand there admiring your amazing forehand – get back to position! As you improve, increase the speed of the feeds and try to add more power to your shots without sacrificing accuracy.

Drill 4: The Multi-Ball Reflex Volley

• Stand at the net with a partner on the other side
• Partner rapidly feeds balls at varying heights and speeds
• Volley each ball back, focusing on quick reactions and soft hands
• Aim to keep the rally going for 30 seconds
• Complete 5 sets with 30-second rest intervals

This drill will turn your reflexes into lightning! The key here is to stay light on your feet and keep your racquet in front of you. Don’t swing – just redirect the ball with control. As you get better, have your partner mix in some lower balls that force you to half-volley. Can you handle the pressure when the balls start coming at you like a machine gun? Time to find out!

Drill 5: The Figure-8 Footwork Drill

• Place two cones about 10 feet apart on the baseline
• Start at one cone, sprint to the other while moving forward
• Touch the second cone, then backpedal to the first cone
• Continue this figure-8 pattern for 30 seconds
• Complete 5 sets with 20-second rest intervals

Focus on quick, small steps when changing direction. Keep your chest up and your eyes forward – no looking at your feet allowed! As you get more comfortable, try adding a medicine ball or light dumbbell to hold as you move. Can you maintain the same speed and agility with the added weight? It’s time to build those tennis-specific muscles!

Drill 6: The Approach Shot Pressure Test

• Start at the baseline with a partner feeding balls
• Hit an approach shot and move forward to the net
• Partner hits a passing shot, which you must volley
• Retreat to the baseline and repeat
• Aim for 15 successful point completions

Focus on hitting a deep, penetrating approach shot that puts your opponent on the defensive. As you move forward, split-step just as your partner makes contact with the ball. This will help you react quickly to their passing shot. Can you maintain your composure and technique even when your heart’s racing? That’s what separates the good from the great!

Drill 7: The Serve Accuracy Gauntlet

• Place targets in each service box (you can use hula hoops or towels)
• Attempt to hit each target twice before moving to the next
• Continue until you’ve hit all targets on both sides
• If you miss, start the current target over
• Aim to complete the drill in under 50 serves

This drill will turn your serve from a liability into a weapon! It’s like a high-stakes game of darts, but with a lot more sweat involved. Focus on using the same motion for each serve, adjusting only your toss and contact point to hit different targets. Don’t get frustrated if you miss – use it as motivation to dial in your accuracy. As you improve, try to reduce the size of your targets or add more of them. Can you hit a water bottle in the corner of the service box? Time to channel your inner sharpshooter!

There you have it – seven advanced tennis drills that’ll push you to your limits and beyond! Remember, these drills are meant to challenge you, so don’t get discouraged if they feel tough at first.

So get out there and start doing! Incorporate these drills into your regular practice routine, and you’ll soon see improvements in your agility, accuracy, and overall court presence. Who knows? With consistent practice, you might just find yourself playing like the pros you admire. Now, grab your racquet, lace up those shoes, and let’s turn those tennis dreams into reality. Game, set, match – you’ve got this!