Free Tennis drills for High School Teams

Once young tennis players start playing on their high school team, beginner hand-eye coordination games and drills are no longer at their skill level. As a high school tennis coach, it's time to incorporate more challenging and competitive drills into your team workouts to help your players perfect their skills and learn the subtleties of playing the game well.

This drill is designed to help your players work on their split step and volley. Have your players stand in one line, 4 feet behind the "T, " which is where the center service line meets the service line. Stand on the same side of the court, 3 feet from the middle of the net with your back to the net. Have a large basket of balls by your side. Hold a ball in each hand with your arms 45 degrees out in front of your body. When you say "go, " the first player in line runs toward you and split steps when she gets to the "T." At the same time, either toss the ball from your right hand 4 or 5 feet out to your right or toss the ball in your left hand 4 or 5 feet out to your left. Toss the ball at head height. Your player doesn't know which ball you plan to toss and she must quickly move diagonally toward the ball and hit a volley. Repeat with your next player and continue for 10 to 15 minutes.

Having quick feet is crucial in tennis. The nothing-but-forehands drill helps your player improve her movement by requiring her to hit only forehands. Have your player stand at the baseline on one side while you stand on the other side of the court. Set up two cones on your side, deep in the back corners. Feed your player several balls, some of which are easy forehands and some of which go toward her backhand. Your player must move her feet quickly to run around any backhands and hit a forehand. Have her direct her shots toward one of the cones. After a set number of feeds, repeat the drill with another player.