Professional Tennis Registry is the largest global organization of tennis-teaching professionals with more than 14,000 members in 117 countries. They are dedicated to educating, certifying, and servicing tennis teachers and coaches around the world in order to grow the game of tennis. They are based in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

International Book of Tennis Drills

Over 100 Skill-Specific Drills Adopted by Tennis Professionals Worldwide

By Muscle & Fitness

Triumph Books

Copyright © 2013 Professional Tennis Registry
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-60078-829-1

Contents

Introduction,
5-6 Year Old: Warm Up Drills,
5-6 Year Old: Drills,
7-8 Year Old: Warm Up Drills,
7-8 Year Old: Drills,
9-10 Year Old: Warm Up Drills,
9-10 Year Old: Drills,
11-17 Year Old: Serving Drills,
11-17 Year Old: Singles Drills,
11-17 Year Old: Doubles Drills,
Performance: Serving Drills,
Performance: Singles Drills,
Performance: Doubles Drills,
Adult/Recreational: Serving Drills,
Adult/Recreational: Singles Drills,
Adult/Recreational: Doubles Drills,
Adult/Seniors: Serving Drills,
Adult/Seniors: Singles Drills,
Adult/Seniors: Doubles Drills,

CHAPTER 1

5-6 Year Old: Warm Up Drills

Characteristics of 5-6 Year Olds

• Great difficulty with "fine" motor skills

• Reactions and anticipation skills are very low

• Listening to and following instructions is very difficult for them

• Scoring and winning and losing are not understood yet

• Throw with limited rotation and catch with both hands

• Grips, swing action and rallying over a net can be too advanced

• 30-minute time period is optimal for children of this age

• Sessions should be fun, active and interesting

1) Popcorn

Pro stands with his back to the kids with a handful of balls. When the pro yells "popcorn" he throws all the balls high in the air and behind him towards the players.

The kids have to try to catch as many balls as they can before it the balls stop bouncing (popping). Players can use cones, their hands, or an empty tennis ball can to catch balls.

2) Caterpillar

The players line up in a single file line facing the pro and with their feet shoulder width apart.

The pro rolls a ball to one side or the other and the players must side- shuffle to that side and try to get the ball to roll between their feet.

If the ball goes between their feet, they're safe. If it hits their foot or goes to the outside of their foot, they go to the back of the caterpillar line.

This is a great and fun way to teach players to move side-to-side which they will have to do when playing tennis.

3) Spider in the Web

One player starts as the spider. The rest are at the baseline. When the spider yells "spider in the web" all the runners have to make it to the other baseline without being tagged by the spider.

When a player is "tagged" by the spider they must sit on the court at the exact spot where they were tagged and they are now also "sitting" spiders.

The original spider remains as the spider until they "catch" all the other players.

If the players do not run to the other side quickly enough, give them a 10-second time limit to make it to the other baseline.

Players must run inside the designated boundaries.

4) Zoo Warm Up

Players move around a designated area while mimicking their favorite animals.

Pro can call out animals to mimic like:

• Kangaroo

• Horse galloping

• Frog

• Humming Bird

• Eagle

• Elephant

This is a very fun way to get young players to warm-up and use their imagination.

5) Mirror Hands

The players face each other and stand close enough to be able to almost touch hands, like patty-cake.

One player is designated the mover and will shuffle from side to side while the other player tries to keep up while keeping their hands in the upright position.

The players should be almost touching hands in front of them as if they were going to give each other a "high five" at chest level.

After 30 seconds have the players switch roles.

This is good for teaching lateral movement and upper body balance.

Variation: Allow the moving player to slowly move their hands around so his partner now has to move and control their hands, like they would when they have to volley.

6) Lily Pad

This drill helps young players gain agility & balance.

The pro sets out several throw-down spots or donuts and the players start in a single file line behind the first spot.

Players jump from spot to spot on one leg and they must regain their balance before jumping to the next spot.

This drill is very effective in teaching them balance and also works on their leg strength which is what they will need in the sport of tennis.

Remind the kids that this is a not a race drill. They should be working on proper form and technique vs. doing it fast.

Variation: The pro can reposition the Lily Pads further apart so it is a tougher drill for the players.

CHAPTER 2

5-6 Year Old: Drills

Characteristics of 5-6 Year Olds

• Great difficulty with "fine" motor skills

• Reactions and anticipation skills are very low

• Listening to and following instructions is very difficult for them

• Scoring and winning and losing are not understood yet

• Throw with limited rotation and catch with both hands

• Grips, swing action and rallying over a net can be too advanced

• 30-minute time period is optimal for children of this age

• Sessions should be fun, active and interesting

1) Goof Balls & Magic Balls

Set two hoppers of balls by each corner where the net posts would be on a 36' court, these are the "Magic" Balls.

Set one more hopper of balls at the baseline between the two lines of players.

Form two teams on the baseline. The first kid on each team takes a ball out of the hopper on the baseline (a "goof" ball) and drops/hits it over.

If they make it over, they get to run up and get a ball out of their hopper by the net posts (called "magic balls").

If they miss their hit from the baseline, they go to the back of their line. The object is to empty your "magic ball" hopper first. The balls on the baseline are "goof" balls because if you miss, you don't have the chance to hit a magic ball!

Whether the player misses or makes their shot, they always have to get the next ball for their partner in line behind them.

Variation: Pro can disallow shots that have poor form or technique. And this drill can work with any kind of shot that the players must introduce (i.e. Serves).

2) Speed Racer

All the players are on the same team and line up across the baseline on a mini-court.

Part 1: Pro feeds players one ball at a time and when the team gets 10 balls over and in the court, all the players run around the entire court while the pro tries to peg them with a foam ball.

Part 2: If they make it all the way around to the back of the line without being hit, they are declared a speed racer.

Variation: Have players play by themselves and if they make 4 shots in a row, they run around the court and avoid trying to be hit by the pro's foam ball.

3) In the Toilet

This drill is designed to help young players develop racket head control.

Place several circle dots on the court in a variety of places.

Have each player balance a ball on their strings while they walk from dot to dot.

When the pro yells "toilet" each player goes to the closest dot and "lifts"...