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6 Videos About Tennis Footwork Drills

 

HEAD is the tennis expert. Here, we show you the best tennis footwork drills allowing everyone - from beginners to advanced players - to train like a pro. Both kids and adults can use these tennis drills to improve their cardio, agility and consistency. Build your tennis skills from the baseline to volleys on the net with these exercises - and serve your tennis game by improving your forehand and backhand.

 

Navigation

DRILL 01 - Offensive Transition

DRILL 02 - Random Feed

DRILL 03 - Net Coverage

DRILL 04 - Baseline Coverage

DRILL 05 - X-DRILL

DRILL 06 - FOREHAND ATTACK

DRILL TIME!

We are going to show you how to do the Shuttle, Line, and the Star Sprints!

Drill 01 - Offensive transition

Train the transition from defense to offense. This intermediate tennis footwork drill helps you to improve your footwork during baseline rallies and shows you how to initiate an offensive net attack and win the point with a volley.
Offensive TransitionOffensive Transition

01 Drill Overview

This tennis drill is made up of 5 shots that cover the full court. This will help you effectively transition from defense to offense.

 

RepositioningRepositioning

02 (Re)Positioning

A lateral solid step on ball #1 will allow you to be ready for a quick repositioning. A cross step is essential to recover from a vulnerable position back to an ideal one. With the addition of a split & side step you will be able to position yourself for a shot on the other side of the court.

Step into the ballStep into the ball

03 Step into the ball

To keep the ball deep enough you need to transfer your body weight forward. Adjust your stance with small steps so you can be ready to step into your shot.

 

TransitionTransition

04 Transition

Recover with a split step and keep adjusting with small steps to hit a heavy shot and prepare your offensive transition to approach the net.

 

Split StepSplit Step

05 Split Step

Don't forget to do a split step when you reach the service box. This is crucial to be prepared for your volley and will allow you to play the ball with either your forehand or backhand.

 

Drill 02 - Random Feed

Test your reaction speed and improve your agility on the court for forehand and backhand shots. The areas to focus on during this cardio tennis drill are your anticipation, balance and positioning while being under pressure.

Random FeedRandom Feed

01 Drill Overview

Your partner/coach will make you work on a 6 balls-based hand feed. The 6 balls have to go in random directions varying in depth (before or after the baseline) and hand side (backhand and forehand). To execute this drill perfectly it is mandatory to reposition yourself on the baseline T after each shot.

 

Find your balanceFind your balance

02 Find your balance

Feel comfortable even when moving backwards and find your balance. This means steadying yourself once you are in the correct position to play a controlled, deep shot.

 

Adjust your stanceAdjust your stance

03 Adjust your stance

Find your ideal position to the ball in order to release a proper swing. Try to also coordinate your split steps to gain precious time for adjusting.

 

Keep movingKeep moving

04 Keep moving

This drill will make you work on your calves, it is important to stay active in order to be reactive. The more you stay in action, the better and faster you'll be ready for the next shot.

 

Stay low to the groundStay low to the ground

05 Stay low to the ground

Lower your center of gravity so you keep control on every shot. In addition, playing off your front foot will allow you to keep stability in your swing.

 

Stay on your toesStay on your toes

06 Stay on your toes

In order to keep your reaction speed high and to be ready to move quickly and easily to make each shot.

 

Drill 03 - Net Coverage

The success of your volley game depends on your footwork. This drill helps improve your quick attack and volley skills to create chances to finish with a smash – effective for your singles' and your doubles game.

Net CovarageNet Covarage

01 Drill Overview

Coming to the net is the easiest way to finish a point. However, with the wrong footwork your volley game can easily become a weakness. This drill will help you to adjust yours so it becomes your strength.

 

Attack the netAttack the net

02 Attack the net

Start from the baseline and step into the ball to get inside the service box. Stay on a closed stance to keep control of the ball, play forward so you are ready for your next shot.

 

Split StepSplit Step

03 Split step

The split step is crucial to the success of a volley shot, it allows you to be ready and reactive for the next shot.

 

Shuffle BackwardsShuffle Backwards

04 Shuffle backwards

Very similar to the side step, the shuffle step is slightly shorter to adjust your position. Shuffle back enough so you can still hit the ball going forward.

 

Adjust position for the smashAdjust position for the smash

05 Adjust position for the smash

Have your feet shoulder width apart and transfer your body weight forward through the shot to increase the power and precision of the smash.

 

Drill 04 - Baseline Coverage

Lateral footwork and recovery steps are key on defense. Learning how to move efficiently along the baseline will help you survive tricky defensive situations. When done on clay courts, this consistency tennis drill can also help in adjusting timing for slides.

Baseline CoverageBaseline Coverage

01 Drill Overview

In long rallies, the majority of shots are played from the baseline. It's best to do 2/3 repetitions of the drill in order to gain the endurance necessary to stay in control of the point.

 

Weight on the front footWeight on the front foot

02 Weight on the front foot

To keep the ball deep enough you need to transfer your body weight forward. Adjust your stance with small steps so you can be ready to step into your shot.

 

Quick positioningQuick positioning

03 Quick positioning

After shot #1, stay active in order to be prepared for a quick positioning. A lateral solid step will allow you to be ready to return a deep corner shot and prevent you from losing the rhythm of the point.

 

Recovering cross + slide/split stepRecovering cross + slide/split step

04 Recovering (Cross + Side/Split Step)

A cross step combined with a split and/or side step is the most efficient way to cross the court from one side to the other.

 

Low center of gravityLow center of gravity

05 Low center of gravity

Lower your center of gravity in order to maximize your thrust on the ball. This is key to finding the ideal position and hit a winner.

 

Drill 05 - X-Drill

Footwork and positioning are key for precision and control. This well-known classic tennis practice drill used by many pro tour players allows you to work on game tactics and improves your ability to adapt from offense to defense and vice versa.

X-DrillX-Drill

01 Drill Overview

This drill improves your ability to switch between offensive and defensive situations. It also helps to work on your agility, speed and cardio.

 

Always reposition at centerAlways reposition at center

02 Always reposition at center

After every shot make the effort to reposition yourself in the middle. This is the ideal position to do the split step and to begin the movement for your next shot.

 

Stay on your toesStay on your toes

03 Stay on your toes

By opening your stance you can anticipate the direction of the next shot. Staying on your toes will ensure a quick and explosive movement on the court to return the ball.

 

Focus on your balanceFocus on your balance

04 Focus on your balance

Feel comfortable even when moving backwards and find your balance. This means steadying yourself once you are in the correct position to play a controlled, deep shot.

 

Weight on the front footWeight on the front foot

05 Weight on the front foot

To keep the ball deep enough you need to transfer your body weight forward. Adjust your stance with small steps so you can be ready to step into your shot.

 

Drill 06 - Forehand Attack

For most players, the forehand is their favourite shot. This tennis forehand drill allows you to use the right footwork to move around the ball quickly and hit more powerful shots.

Forehand AttackForehand Attack

01 Drill Overview

This drill helps you dominate the point with your forehand. In order to do so, you need the right footwork to move around the ball and turn backhand returns into more powerful forehand shots.

 

Solid lateral stepSolid lateral step

02 Solid lateral step

A lateral solid step on ball #1 allows you to be ready for a quick repositioning.

 

Adjust with small stepsAdjust with small steps

03 Adjust with small steps

When repositioning from ball #1, make sure to add small steps after the side step to get into the right spot for a forehand.

 

Side step around the ballSide step around the ball

04 Side step around the ball

Repeat the previous step and move your body weight forward to generate a powerful shot. This also helps you prepare for a potential dropshot from your opponent.

 

Keep balance while slidingKeep balance while sliding

05 Keep balance while sliding

It is important to transfer your body weight to your front foot when sliding. By doing so, you stay in control of your shot.

 

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