Proficiency in tennis takes skill, practice and dedication. But you don't have to be on a team or even play against an opponent regularly to develop the skills and competency you need to become a good player. Practicing tennis warm-up drills each week not only can help you develop technique, but also prepare you for matches.
Backboard Drills
A tennis backboard is one of the best tools for a player. You can independently perform tennis drills to warm up and improve your ground strokes and volleys. During backboard drills, allow considerable distance between your body and backboard so you don't have to struggle to return the ball each time, according to Ron Waite of the Tennis Server. Practice hitting and returning balls above the backboard line. If the backboard doesn't have a line, hit above an imaginary line that's the same height as a tennis net. When you're first starting out, avoid angle shots against a tennis backboard until you gain enough skill and confidence from practicing direct shots. Practice ground strokes against a backboard 20 to 30 minutes per session. Work on backhand ground strokes part of the time. Spend about five minutes on volleys closer to the backboard.
Ground Stroke Target Practice
Practice targeted ground stroke drills to better control the direction of your tennis ball. When practicing your forehand and backhand strokes, place an object on the other side of the net and use it as a target. When you hit the ball, aim for the target each time, and after about 10 minutes of practice, move the target to a different location on the opposite side of the court and begin again. You can also target practice by aiming for the baseline on the opposite side of the court. For beginners, set up a target area and try to hit the ball within the area each time, according to Tennis Resources.
Volley Target Practice
You can target practice volleys with a partner. Get your partner to throw balls from the net, and when you return the ball, aim for your partner who can then try and catch the ball each time. Experiment with different locations and distances. Practice volley drills for 15 to 20 minutes.
Volley to Ground Stroke
Work with a partner to develop technique for volleys and ground strokes. Practice volleys by returning your partner's forehand ground strokes from the net, as well as from the service line, suggests Optimum Tennis. Switch positions and hit forehand ground strokes to your partner. Use this warm-up drill to practice backhand strokes.
Backboard Drills
A tennis backboard is one of the best tools for a player. You can independently perform tennis drills to warm up and improve your ground strokes and volleys. During backboard drills, allow considerable distance between your body and backboard so you don't have to struggle to return the ball each time, according to Ron Waite of the Tennis Server. Practice hitting and returning balls above the backboard line. If the backboard doesn't have a line, hit above an imaginary line that's the same height as a tennis net. When you're first starting out, avoid angle shots against a tennis backboard until you gain enough skill and confidence from practicing direct shots. Practice ground strokes against a backboard 20 to 30 minutes per session. Work on backhand ground strokes part of the time. Spend about five minutes on volleys closer to the backboard.
Ground Stroke Target Practice
Practice targeted ground stroke drills to better control the direction of your tennis ball. When practicing your forehand and backhand strokes, place an object on the other side of the net and use it as a target. When you hit the ball, aim for the target each time, and after about 10 minutes of practice, move the target to a different location on the opposite side of the court and begin again. You can also target practice by aiming for the baseline on the opposite side of the court. For beginners, set up a target area and try to hit the ball within the area each time, according to Tennis Resources.
Volley Target Practice
You can target practice volleys with a partner. Get your partner to throw balls from the net, and when you return the ball, aim for your partner who can then try and catch the ball each time. Experiment with different locations and distances. Practice volley drills for 15 to 20 minutes.
Volley to Ground Stroke
Work with a partner to develop technique for volleys and ground strokes. Practice volleys by returning your partner's forehand ground strokes from the net, as well as from the service line, suggests Optimum Tennis. Switch positions and hit forehand ground strokes to your partner. Use this warm-up drill to practice backhand strokes.
