Tennis practice at home
Simple drills kids can do in the driveway, backyard, or hallway to keep improving between lessons, even when you cannot get to the courts.
Most kids see their coach once or twice a week. What they do between lessons often makes the difference in how fast they improve. The good news: you do not need a full tennis court to build better timing, footwork, and ball control.
The drills below are designed for small spaces and basic equipment. They work well for beginners and younger juniors, and most parents can run them even if you do not play tennis yourself.
Start each home session with a quick warm‑up, especially if your child has been sitting at school or using screens.
Two to three minutes of easy movement is enough to wake up muscles and reduce the chance of little aches and pains.
Drill 1
Ask your child to hold the racquet in front of them and gently tap the ball up into the air, catching it on the strings each time. Start with just three taps, then see how high they can go without losing control.
Once that feels easy, flip the racquet over and try tapping the ball down toward the floor, keeping it under control. This builds hand‑eye coordination and helps kids feel the “sweet spot” on the strings.
Drill 2
If you have a safe wall, stand a few steps away and hit gentle forehands so the ball bounces once, hits the wall, then comes back. The goal is to keep the rally going as long as possible.
Younger kids can stand closer and use very soft balls. Older kids can back up or use a smaller target on the wall to make it harder.
Drill 3
Place a small object on the ground as a target (for example, a cone or folded towel). You gently toss the ball toward your child’s forehand side, and they try to direct the ball so it lands near the target.
This drill teaches aiming instead of just swinging hard. Switch sides so they practice both forehands and backhands.
Drill 4
Use a line on the driveway or a strip of tape indoors. Have your child jump forward and backward over the line with both feet, then side to side, then on one foot at a time.
Do each version for 15–20 seconds, then rest. This builds quick feet, balance, and leg strength.
Drill 5
Ask your child to imagine a ball coming toward them. They take a few small side steps, split step, then practice a smooth swing without hitting a real ball.
Focus on staying balanced and finishing the swing, not on power. This is a safe way to groove good habits indoors.
Home practice does not need to feel like a second job. Ten to fifteen focused minutes two or three times a week can make a big difference over a season.
Let your child choose a “favorite drill” each session, and end on something they enjoy and can do well. Ending on a win keeps motivation high.
If your child trains with a coach, ask which drills would be most helpful for them to do at home. That way, practice time reinforces what they are learning on the court instead of teaching conflicting habits.
In Millburn, I share simple “homework” ideas with families so kids know exactly what to work on between sessions. If you would like that kind of structure, you can learn more about my coaching at smash-tennis.lukez.edu.kg .