7 Powerful Tennis Drills for Intermediate Players
Are you ready to take your tennis game up a notch? As an intermediate player, you’ve mastered the basics, but now it’s time to refine your skills and add some serious firepower to your play. Did you know that consistent practice of targeted drills can improve your performance by up to 30%? That’s right! In this article, we’ll dive into 7 tennis drills for intermediate players that will help you dominate the court. Let’s get started and serve up some excellence!
Tennis Drills for Intermediate Players to Elevate Your Game
The Spider Web Agility Drill
Let’s talk about the Spider Web Agility Drill. It’s a great way to boost your footwork and agility on the tennis court. Many players have seen impressive results from this exercise.
To set up, you need six cones or tennis balls and enough space to make a hexagon shape. Put one cone in the middle and the other five around it, about 10 feet apart. It should look like a spider web.
The drill is simple but challenging. You start at the center cone and sprint to each outer cone and back to the center as fast as you can. Here’s how to do it:
- Start at the center cone in a ready position.
- Run to an outer cone and touch it.
- Quickly run backward to the center cone.
- Right away, sprint to the next outer cone.
- Keep doing this until you’ve touched all five outer cones.
To get the most out of this exercise, stay on your toes the whole time. Flat-footed movement isn’t good for tennis. Also, move your arms quickly and keep them close to your body, just like in a real match.
When running back to the center, try to keep your eyes up instead of looking down at the cones. Use your side vision to see where you’re going. This helps in real games when you need to watch the ball and your opponent at the same time.
If you want to make it harder, you can add a tennis racquet and ball. As you touch each cone, do a forehand or backhand swing. This helps improve your coordination.
Another way to change it up is to have someone call out which cone to run to next. This makes you react faster and think on your feet.
Rapid-Fire Volley Challenge
Let’s talk about the Rapid-Fire Volley Challenge. This tennis drill can really improve your net game. Many players become much better at the net after just a few weeks of practice.
To start, you’ll need a partner, a basket of balls, and your racquet. Stand about 3-4 feet from the net. Your partner should be at the service line with the balls.
Here’s the fun part: your partner will hit volleys at you quickly, and you need to return them accurately. It sounds simple, but it’s quite challenging!
Use short, quick strokes to hit the balls. Don’t take big backswings. Focus on fast reactions and control. Keep your eyes on the ball at all times.
To improve, start slow and focus on making good contact. As you get better, ask your partner to hit faster. Try to stay relaxed – tension will slow you down.
At first, aim for large targets like the whole service box. As you improve, aim for smaller areas or specific corners.
For doubles practice, set up with a partner at the net and have two players feeding balls from the baseline. This helps you work on teamwork and communication.
When practicing doubles volleys, try to angle your shots. Hitting straight ahead is easy, but redirecting the ball can be more effective in a match.
Serve and Volley Precision Drill
The Serve and Volley Precision Drill is a powerful way to improve your tennis game. It focuses on perfecting your serve and follow-up volley, creating a combo that can throw off your opponents.
This drill helps you become more aggressive on the court, enhances your net play, and teaches you how to put pressure on your opponent right from the start of a point.
Here’s how it works:
Begin at the baseline, ready to serve. Aim for a specific target in the service box, like an old tennis ball can or small cone. After serving, sprint to the net. Your practice partner returns the serve, and you volley it back, aiming for another target on their side. Then, get ready to do it all over again.
To improve your serve placement, try visualizing the ball landing on the target before you hit it. Remember, accuracy is more important than power. A well-placed serve is much more effective than a powerful one that goes out.
For better volley accuracy, focus on your split step as you approach the net. Time it right when your opponent is about to hit, so you’re ready to move in any direction. Keep your racquet out in front to avoid scrambling at the last second.
Want to challenge yourself? Try these variations:
- Use different serve types (slice, kick, and flat serves).
- Practice both cross-court and down-the-line volleys.
- Have your partner feed you balls for approach shots followed by volleys.
Pay attention to how different serve types affect your approach to the net. A slice serve might give you more time, while a flat serve could have you rushing.
Don’t get lazy with your footwork when approaching the net. Sprint like you mean it! Also, make sure to practice this drill on both the deuce and ad sides of the court.
Remember, the serve and volley isn’t just about winning the point immediately. It’s about pressuring your opponent, taking away their time, and controlling the match’s pace.
The Serve and Volley Precision Drill might be tough at first, but stick with it. Soon, you’ll be serving and volleying your way to victory, leaving your opponents wondering what hit them.
Crosscourt Consistency Crusher
Tennis is a game of precision and endurance. The Crosscourt Consistency Crusher drill can help you improve both. This exercise is challenging, but it can significantly boost your playing skills.
To start, you’ll need a partner, some tennis balls, and targets. You can use cones or chalk marks as targets. Place them in the back corners of the court on both sides. You and your partner should stand near your respective singles sidelines.
The goal is to rally crosscourt, aiming for those back corner targets. It sounds simple, but it gets tough as the rally goes on. The key is to focus on consistency rather than power. Keep your strokes smooth and controlled. Try to hit the ball in a high arc over the net. This gives you more room for error.
One helpful tip is to focus on your contact point. Try to hit the ball at the same spot in front of you each time. And don’t forget to move your feet! Good footwork is crucial for consistency.
Remember, consistency isn’t about being boring. It’s about being reliable under pressure. Master this drill, and you’ll become a formidable opponent in long rallies.
The Crosscourt Consistency Crusher may not be flashy, but it’s a powerful tool for improving your tennis game. Give it a try and watch your skills grow!
The Approach Shot Pressure Test
The Approach Shot Pressure Test is a challenging drill that can really improve your tennis game. It’s designed to help you get better at moving from the baseline to the net during a point.
To set up, you’ll need a practice partner, some tennis balls, and a few targets. Put two targets in the service boxes and two more in the deep corners of the court. You’ll start at the baseline, while your partner gets ready to hit balls to you from the other side.
The drill works like this: Your partner hits a short ball to you. You need to hit it back, aiming for one of the targets in the service box. Then, you move up to the net. Your partner tries to hit the ball past you, aiming for their targets in the corners.
When hitting your approach shot, focus on depth rather than power. You want to hit the ball deep enough to push your opponent back, giving you time to get to the net.
Timing is everything in this drill. You need to decide quickly whether to approach the net or stay back. A good tip is to watch your opponent’s body language. If they look off-balance or stretched out, that’s a good time to move in.
To make the drill more challenging, try the “3-ball approach” version. You get three chances to hit a good approach shot and win the point. If you miss all three, you do 10 push-ups. It’s a fun way to add some pressure to your practice.
Another variation is the “approach or defend” drill. Your partner randomly hits either a short or deep ball, and you have to quickly decide whether to approach or stay back and defend.
Remember to practice approach shots from both sides of the court. In a real match, you won’t always get to choose which side you approach from.
Lastly, don’t forget about your volleys. A great approach shot needs to be followed up with solid net play to finish the point.
Multi-Ball Backhand Blitz
Tennis players often struggle with their backhand, but the Multi-Ball Backhand Blitz drill can help. This exercise can turn a weak backhand into a powerful weapon on the court.
To set up, you need a partner, your racquet, and some targets. Place the targets on the backhand side of the court in the corners and mid-court. Your partner stands at the net, ready to hit balls to your backhand. You’ll be on or behind the baseline, prepared to return them.
The drill works for both one-handed and two-handed backhands. If you use a one-handed backhand, turn your shoulders early and use your non-hitting arm for balance. For two-handed backhands, keep your hands together on the grip and use your legs for power.
Consistency is key in this drill. Start slow and focus on clean contact with the ball. Once you’ve mastered this, you can work on increasing power. The power in your backhand comes from rotating your hips and shoulders, not just your arms.
To make the drill more challenging, try some variations. The “backhand volley combo” involves hitting a backhand groundstroke followed by a backhand volley. The “backhand around the world” has you hit slice, topspin, and flat backhands in sequence.
Don’t forget about the backhand slice. While it might not seem as impressive as other shots, a well-placed slice can be very effective in a match.
Remember, the goal of this drill is to build consistency and confidence in your backhand. Keep your arm relaxed and let the racquet do the work. With practice, you’ll see significant improvement in your backhand game.
The Figure-8 Endurance Challenge
This drill is a real doozy, but man, it’ll transform your game . I’ve seen players go from gasping for air in the third set to running circles around their opponents after mastering this bad boy.
Let’s break down the layout. You’ll need the full court for this one. Imagine a giant figure-8 on the court – that’s your running path. Start at the center of the baseline, run diagonally to the opposite forecourt, then across to the other forecourt, and finally back to where you started.
Now, here’s how it goes down. Your partner is gonna feed balls to different spots on the court. You’ve gotta hit each shot while following that figure-8 path.
Let’s talk proper movement. The key here is efficiency. No wasted steps, folks. I always tell my students, “Imagine you’re running on hot coals.” Quick, light steps are the name of the game. And for Pete’s sake, don’t forget to split step before each shot. I’ve seen too many players get lazy with this and end up flailing around like a deflating balloon.
As for shot selection, mix it up! Don’t just mindlessly bash the ball back. Think about where you are on the court and what shot makes sense. If you’re pulled wide, maybe a defensive slice is the smart play. Up at the net? Time for a crisp volley. The goal is to simulate real match play, not just survive.
Now, maintaining form and consistency during long rallies – this is where the magic happens. It’s easy to let your technique go out the window when you’re tired. But here’s a pro tip: focus on your breathing. Nice and steady. It’ll help you stay relaxed and keep your form intact.
Remember, this drill isn’t just about fitness. It’s about maintaining your technique and decision-making under pressure. Master this, and you’ll be the player everyone dreads in the third set.
