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Free tennis learning resources for junior players and families—from first-time beginners to competitive players.

New to Tennis? Start Here Explore Player Levels
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8Techniques
30+Drills
🎾

Choose Your Path

Start wherever you are today. You can explore at your own pace.

🌱

I'm completely new

Learn what you need and try a simple first practice.

Start with the basics → 🎾

I know the basics

Build your strokes, footwork, tactics, and confidence.

Explore skill guides → 🏆

I play tournaments

Review informal level guidance and practice goals.

Explore player levels →

New to Tennis? Start Here

A friendly first look at what a junior player needs to begin.

1

Keep equipment simple

Bring comfortable athletic shoes, water, a few balls, and a racquet that feels light enough to swing and control.

2

Match the racquet and ball

Junior racquets come in shorter sizes. Red, orange, and green low-compression balls move more slowly and can make learning easier; choose based on the player's size, age, and comfort.

3

Learn the court and score

Start with the net, baseline, service boxes, and boundaries. Then introduce points—love, 15, 30, 40, and game—without expecting everything to stick at once.

4

Build the first skills

Practice a ready position, simple forehand and backhand contact, gentle serves, volleys, and moving safely to the ball. Control comes before power.

5

Try a first practice

Warm up, bounce and catch the ball, tap it on the racquet, rally gently from close range, and finish with a fun target game. Twenty to thirty minutes is plenty for many beginners.

6

Think about competition later

Tournament levels become useful after a player can rally, serve, keep score, and wants match experience. There is no need to rush—enjoyment and steady learning come first.

Ready for the next step?

Try the First Practice Plan → Explore Grip Fundamentals
Beginner Tennis Training

Red Ball Drills & Practice Plans

Designed primarily for young beginners learning with red balls and smaller courts. Many activities also work well for other first-time players—make the space, equipment, and challenge fit the child.

Practice Plan 01

Ethan's Easy First Tennis Lesson

45 MinutesAges 5–8Red BallBeginner

Purpose: Help a first-time player experience the basic flow of tennis through movement, ball control, hitting, rallying, and playing a simple game.

Move→Control→Hit→Rally→Play

The goal is not technical perfection. The goal is for the child to leave feeling:

“I can play tennis, and tennis is fun.”
Four cues for the whole lesson
Ready→Move→Hit→Recover

Keep language simple. Advanced stroke terminology can wait.

0–5 min
Move

Move & Catch

Start without racquets.

  • Two-hand catch
  • Move left/right and catch
  • Bounce once and catch
  • Try to catch 5 in a row

Goal: Warm up, develop hand-eye coordination, and help the child feel comfortable.

Watch Example
Hit, Catch and Throw · LET'S Tennis Australia
5–10 min
Control

Racquet & Ball Control

Ball Balance

Balance a red ball on the racquet and walk to a cone.

Bounce Down

Bounce the ball downward with the racquet. Try for 5.

Bounce Up

Tap the ball gently upward.

Do not overemphasize grip technique during this first experience unless the grip creates an obvious problem.

Goal: Become comfortable controlling the racquet and ball.

Watch Example
Walking the Dog Course (Red Ball Kids Tennis) · Tennis Coaches To Coaches
10–18 min
Hit

Forehand Drop-Hit

Drop→Bounce→Hit

Simple cues

  • Turn sideways
  • Drop the ball in front
  • Let it bounce
  • Swing forward
  • Finish

First goal: Get the ball over the net. Once successful, add large cone targets.

Watch Example
Tennis Forehand Drill For Kids · United States Tennis Association (USTA)
18–25 min
Hit

Backhand Drop-Hit

Use a two-handed backhand for young beginners.

Drop→Bounce→Hit

Simple cues

  • Two hands
  • Turn
  • Hit in front

Keep the focus on a successful first experience, not technical perfection.

Goal: Help the child understand how to hit a ball arriving on the backhand side.

Watch Example
Mini Tennis Red Backhand — Control and Hit Over Net · Be Gr8 at Tennis — Rob Cherry
25–33 min
Rally

Toss, Hit & Rally

  1. Helper tosses → child hits forehand
  2. Alternate easy forehand/backhand feeds
  3. Helper racquet feeds → child hits → helper catches
  4. Attempt a real mini-rally

Goal: Transition from isolated strokes to actually playing tennis with another person.

Challenge: “Can we get 3?” Celebrate even two consecutive successful hits as a rally.
Watch Example
Toss Hit Catch · USTA Florida
33–38 min
Start

Start the Point

“The serve starts the point.”

  1. Throw the ball over the net
  2. Simple overhead racquet tap
  3. If ready, try an easy toss and hit

Do not spend significant time on formal serve mechanics during the first lesson.

Goal: Understand how a tennis point begins.

For first-time players: The example shows several red-ball serve options. Try only the easiest option that produces success.
Watch Example
Red Ball Six Serve Options · Jenny Walls Robb
38–45 min
Play

Game: Race to 5

Give the child easy feeds and keep the game achievable.

1 point Ball over the net2 points Ball into a target area

Goal: Race to 5.

Challenge: Let the child try to “Beat Ethan” or beat the helper.

Finish: Celebrate one thing the child learned and one thing they enjoyed.

Watch Example
Mini Tennis Red Ball — Play Points from Forehand Feed · Be Gr8 at Tennis — Rob Cherry

About Ethan's Tips: These are practical suggestions from a dedicated junior player who enjoys helping younger and first-time players. They are not presented as professional coaching certification.

For Parents

Simple ways to support a young player as they learn.

Choose comfortable equipment

Look for a racquet the player can control without strain and consider slower red, orange, or green balls. A coach or knowledgeable shop can help with sizing.

Practice little and often

For beginners, a few short, enjoyable sessions each week are often more useful than one long session. Stop before fatigue turns practice into frustration.

Encourage effort

Notice trying, learning, and good sportsmanship—not only wins or perfect shots. Let confidence grow at the player's pace.

Warm up and stay safe

Begin with light movement and dynamic stretches, use court shoes when possible, bring water, take weather breaks, and stop if a player feels pain.

Know when coaching can help

A qualified coach can help with safe technique, equipment choices, persistent difficulties, or preparation for match play. Coaching should feel supportive and age-appropriate.

Understand junior competition

Players often begin with friendly games or local introductory events before progressing to ranked tournaments. Formats and pathways vary, so choose competition that matches the child's readiness and interest.

Who Is This For?

Explore Rally School's informal guide to common tournament stages and practice goals.

About this guidance: Rally School's level descriptions, skill expectations, checklists, ranking references, and percentages are informal educational guidance—not official USTA player-development standards. Development varies by player and USTA section. Consult current USTA information and a qualified coach for tournament placement and competition decisions.
Junior Circuit

Getting Started

Advanced beginner to intermediate. Minimal competition experience, just starting and/or plays recreationally.

  • ✔ Basic strokes and court rules
  • ✔ Scoring and court layout
  • ✔ First competitive matches
  • ✔ Building 3-shot consistency
Level 7

Recreational Competitor

Intermediate competition experience. New to ranked tournaments, plays recreationally. Building foundational stroke mechanics.

  • ✔ Grip fundamentals
  • ✔ Forehand and backhand basics
  • ✔ Beginner overhand serve
  • ✔ Split step and court movement
Level 6

Intermediate Competitor

Intermediate competition experience. Some players may be building an early national ranking. Developing consistency, topspin, and match strategy basics.

  • ✔ Semi-western forehand
  • ✔ Topspin groundstrokes
  • ✔ Overhand flat serve
  • ✔ Approach shot & volley
Level 5

Advanced Competitor

Advanced competition. Players may be gaining experience in stronger sectional or national draws. Developing heavy topspin, second serve, and net game.

  • ✔ Heavy topspin forehand
  • ✔ Second serve with spin
  • ✔ Overhead smash
  • ✔ Drop shot & defensive lob
Level 4

Advanced Competitor

Advanced competition. Players may be competing regularly in strong sectional or national events. Constructing points and playing tactical tennis.

  • ✔ Inside-out forehand
  • ✔ Kick serve as second serve
  • ✔ 3-ball tactical patterns
  • ✔ Doubles net game
Level 3

High Performance

High-performance competition. Some players at this stage may be exploring college varsity or other advanced tennis goals.

  • ✔ Multiple forehand patterns
  • ✔ Topspin & slice as weapons
  • ✔ Precise serve placement
  • ✔ Dictates play from baseline
Level 2

High Performance

High-performance competition at major sectional or national events. Players may be pursuing college varsity or other advanced tennis goals.

  • ✔ Weapon forehand and backhand
  • ✔ Serve as a consistent weapon
  • ✔ Complete net game
  • ✔ Elite mental toughness
Level 1

Elite

Elite national competition. Players at this stage often have ambitious college or professional goals.

  • ✔ Well-rounded game with dependable strengths
  • ✔ Creates winners from anywhere
  • ✔ Tactical mastery under pressure
  • ✔ Elite fitness and conditioning

Core Techniques

Click any tab to expand the full breakdown.

All Levels

Grip Fundamentals

Close-up of a player's hand gripping a tennis racket handle, demonstrating proper grip placement on the bevel
Photo via Pexels · Free to use

The grip is the only connection between you and the racquet. Getting it right from day one prevents bad habits that are hard to unlearn.

🤚

Continental Grip

Used for serve, volleys, and overhead. Hold the racquet as if shaking hands with it — bevel 2 for right-handers.

Serve · Volley · Overhead · Slice · All Levels
✋

Eastern Forehand Grip

Flat on bevel 3. Great for JC and Level 7 beginners — easier to achieve clean contact with a flat ball flight.

Flat Forehand · JC & L7 Start
🖐

Semi-Western Forehand Grip

Palm slightly under the handle (bevel 4). Promotes topspin naturally — the target for Level 6+ players.

Topspin Forehand · L6+
👋

Eastern Backhand Grip

Knuckle on bevel 1 (one-handed) or continental + eastern for two-handed. Required for topspin backhand.

One-handed Backhand · Two-handed · L6+
✊

Full Western Forehand Grip

Palm fully under the handle (bevel 5). Generates heavy topspin — used by advanced players at Level 5 and above.

Heavy Topspin · L5+
💡

Coach Tip: Use the "shake hands" cue for continental and the "gun to the floor" cue to rotate into semi-western. Never squeeze — hold it like a small bird.

Grip Drills

Video thumbnail: Tennis grip instruction showing all four grip types
Watch on YouTube
🎾 All Grips Explained

Learn continental, eastern, semi-western, and western grips with hands-on demos — and when to use each one.

Essential Tennis · YouTube
Video thumbnail: Coach demonstrating tennis grip fundamentals
Watch on YouTube
🟦 Grip Fundamentals

Clear visual instruction on every tennis grip — which bevel, how to find it, and how each grip affects your shots.

Online Tennis Instruction · YouTube
All Levels

Forehand Groundstroke

Tennis player in full swing executing a forehand groundstroke on an outdoor court, racket follow-through visible
Photo by Isabella Mendes via Pexels · Free to use

The forehand is the primary weapon at every level. JC/L7 focus on contact and follow-through. L6 adds topspin. L5+ adds heavy spin, direction, and power.

1

Ready Position

Weight on toes, knees bent, racquet out front. Eyes on the incoming ball.

2

Split Step

As opponent strikes, hop and land with feet shoulder-width apart. This primes explosive movement.

3

Unit Turn

Rotate shoulders and hips together as a unit. Bring the non-dominant hand and racquet back simultaneously.

4

Low-to-High Swing Path

Drop the racquet head below the ball, then swing low-to-high through contact to generate topspin (L6+).

5

Contact Point

Strike the ball in front of the front hip, at roughly waist height. Arm slightly bent at contact.

6

Follow-Through

Finish with the racquet high over the non-dominant shoulder ("windshield wiper" for topspin) or across the body for flat.

🎯 Inside-Out Forehand (L4+)

When the ball lands to your backhand side and sits up, step around it and hit a forehand directed to the opponent's forehand corner. Creates severe angles and protects your stronger wing.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Late contact: Ball gets behind the hip. Fix — earlier unit turn.
  • Arm only: No hip/shoulder rotation. Fix — shadow swings leading with the hip.
  • Stiff arm: Locking the elbow. Fix — keep a slight bend throughout.
  • Wrong grip at contact: Grip slips during swing. Fix — check grip pressure.

Forehand Drills

Video thumbnail: Tennis player brushing up through the ball to generate topspin forehand
Watch on YouTube
🟠 Topspin Forehand Tip

The single most important technique tip for generating massive, consistent topspin on your forehand.

2MinuteTennis · YouTube
Video thumbnail: Side-by-side comparison of topspin and flat forehand technique
Watch on YouTube
🟦 Flat vs Topspin Forehand

Master both the flat and topspin forehand — how the swing path differs and when to use each shot.

Top Tennis Training · YouTube
All Levels

Backhand Groundstroke

Tennis player mid-swing on a grass court demonstrating backhand body rotation and follow-through
Photo by Sebastian Angarita via Pexels · Free to use

JC/L7 learn the two-handed backhand for stability. L6 adds topspin and slice. L5+ uses the backhand as a directional weapon.

1

Two-Handed Grip Setup

Dominant hand in eastern backhand grip (bevel 1), non-dominant hand above in eastern forehand grip.

2

Early Preparation

As soon as ball crosses the net, rotate away — both hands on the racquet, weight shifting to the back foot.

3

Hip Drive

Drive the front hip toward the target to generate power. The non-dominant arm pulls through as the lead force.

4

Contact Point

Ball struck in front of the body at waist height. Racquet face slightly closed at contact for topspin.

5

Follow-Through

Finish high — racquet ends up over the front shoulder, both arms extended. Hips fully rotated to face the net.

🍰 Slice Backhand (L6+)

Switch to continental grip. High-to-low swing — racquet brushes under the ball. Great for defensive shots, approach shots, and breaking up rhythm. At L4+, the slice becomes a weapon for angled approaches.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Pulling the left hand off too early: Causes the ball to go wide. Keep both hands on until after contact.
  • Too much arm: Not using the hip/shoulder. Fix — shadow swings leading with the hip.
  • Too late: Contacting beside or behind the body. Fix — turn earlier.

Backhand Drills

Video thumbnail: Slow motion analysis of two-handed backhand technique
Watch on YouTube
🟦 Two-Handed Backhand

Complete breakdown of two-handed backhand mechanics with slow-motion analysis from a world-class coach.

Patrick Mouratoglou · YouTube
Video thumbnail: Coach demonstrating the 3 key steps of a perfect two-handed backhand
Watch on YouTube
🎾 Backhand in 3 Steps

Master the two-handed backhand with a simple 3-step framework: unit turn, low-to-high swing, and follow-through.

Top Tennis Training · YouTube
All Levels

The Serve

Tennis player in trophy position executing a powerful serve, arm fully extended reaching upward toward the ball
Photo by Florian Doppler via Pexels · Free to use

JC begins with underhand or beginner overhand. L7 learns trophy position. L6 develops a flat serve. L5+ adds topspin and kick. L4+ uses all three types with placement.

1

Stance & Grip

Stand sideways at the baseline. Use continental grip — critical for long-term development at every level.

2

Ball Toss

Hold the ball with fingertips. Toss to 1 o'clock, roughly 12–18 inches above contact. Practice this separately.

3

Trophy Position

As the ball rises, bend the knees and load weight back. Racquet arm forms an L-shape. Both eyes on the ball.

4

Leg Drive

Extend the knees to drive upward as you swing. The serve is a full-body shot, not just an arm swing.

5

Contact & Pronation

Strike at full arm extension. Pronate the forearm (like tightening a screwdriver) for pace and spin control.

6

Follow-Through

Finish with the racquet arm crossing to the opposite hip. Land inside the baseline on the front foot.

🔄 Kick Serve (L5+)

Toss slightly behind your head (11 o'clock). Swing upward and to the right with heavy brush. The ball kicks up high after the bounce — use as a reliable second serve at L5+ and as a weapon at L3+.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Wrong grip: Eastern forehand on serve limits pronation and ceiling height.
  • Inconsistent toss: The single biggest cause of double faults. Isolate toss practice daily.
  • No leg drive: Serving only with the arm. Practice "trophy jump" drills.
  • Elbow drop: Dropping the elbow in the backswing. Keep the elbow high (L-shape).

Serve Drills

Video thumbnail: Beginner serve masterclass showing stance, toss, and swing path
Watch on YouTube
🎾 Serve Masterclass

Complete beginner serve masterclass — stance, ball toss, trophy position, and full swing path step by step.

Top Tennis Training · YouTube
Video thumbnail: Step-by-step tennis serve technique tutorial with 7 clear stages
Watch on YouTube
🟦 Serve in 7 Steps

The most-watched tennis serve tutorial — 4.8M views. Seven clear steps from start to follow-through.

Feel Tennis · YouTube
L6 → L1

Volley

Tennis player lunging forward on an outdoor court to punch a volley at the net, showing compact swing and forward weight transfer
Photo by Jyron Barclay via Pexels · Free to use

Volleys are punch shots hit before the ball bounces. The key is a compact, firm-wristed block with continental grip. At L4+, volleys become point-enders.

1

Continental Grip (Always)

Both forehand and backhand volleys use continental grip. No grip switch — makes volleying faster and more reliable.

2

Ready Position at Net

Stand 2–3 feet inside the service line. Knees bent, weight on toes, racquet out front at chest height.

3

Split Step

As your opponent strikes, split step to load your legs and react in any direction.

4

Punch & Block

Step forward as you make contact. Compact punch — no backswing. Firm wrist throughout.

5

Angle & Placement

Open face slightly for low balls, flatter for high balls. Direct cross-court or into open space.

🎯 Approach Shot → First Volley (L6+)

When a short ball sits up, attack with a deep approach shot, then close immediately. Split step as your opponent hits and punch the first volley. At L4+, refine to the "swinging volley" on high balls above the net.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Too much backswing: Causes late contact. Keep the racquet in front, punch only.
  • Wrong grip: Switching to forehand grip. Drill with continental only.
  • Standing still: Not stepping through. Practice "step and punch" footwork.
  • Too far from net: Volleying from no-man's land. Move up to just inside the service line.

Volley Drills

Video thumbnail: Coach demonstrating forehand and backhand volley technique at the net
Watch on YouTube
🟦 FH & BH Volley Tips

5 technique tips for crisper, more controlled forehand and backhand volleys — compact swing, firm wrist, early prep.

2MinuteTennis · YouTube
Video thumbnail: Player executing perfect volleys at the net using a 3-step framework
Watch on YouTube
🎾 Perfect Volley in 3 Steps

Simplify your volley with 3 clear checkpoints. Great for players learning net play from Level 6 onward.

Top Tennis Training · YouTube
L6 → L1

Return of Serve

Close-up of a tennis player in ready position at the baseline, weight on toes with racket held out front, preparing to return a serve
Photo by Julia Kuzenkov via Pexels · Free to use

The return is the second most important shot in tennis. L6 focuses on consistency cross-court. L5+ begins applying direction. L4+ turns returns into weapons.

1

Starting Position

Stand near the baseline corner, 1–2 feet behind the baseline. Weight on toes, knees bent.

2

Read the Toss

Watch the server's ball toss to predict direction (wide, body, T). A toss far right hints wide; centered hints T or body.

3

Split Step at Ball Strike

Hop and land right as the server's racquet makes contact. This is critical — time the split step to the server, not the ball.

4

Compact Backswing

Use a shorter backswing than a groundstroke — the serve is already coming with pace. Unit turn is still essential.

5

Block or Drive

Against fast serves, use a blocking motion (short swing). Against slower serves, drive through with a regular groundstroke.

6

Direction & Recovery

Aim cross-court (safer target, larger court). After the return, immediately recover to the center baseline.

💡

First Priority: Get the ball back in play. Consistency beats aggression on returns at L6–7. A return that lands in is always better than an error.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Too big a backswing: Ball arrives before the swing completes. Shorten to a compact unit turn.
  • No split step: Caught flat-footed. Rehearse the timing sequence daily.
  • Trying for a winner: Overaggressive error. Aim cross-court, 3 feet over the net.

Return Drills

Video thumbnail: Patrick Mouratoglou coaching return of serve technique
Watch on YouTube
🎾 Return of Serve Masterclass

1.8M views. Patrick Mouratoglou's complete guide to reading the serve, split step timing, and executing the return.

Patrick Mouratoglou · YouTube
Video thumbnail: Three different return of serve techniques demonstrated on court
Watch on YouTube
🟦 3 Return Techniques

Three return of serve techniques — block return, full swing, and chip — with drills for each situation.

Essential Tennis · YouTube
L5 → L1

Advanced Shots

Tennis player reaching up at full extension during an overhead smash, racquet arm fully extended above the head
Photo by Florian Doppler via Pexels · Free to use

At L5+, three new shots become essential: the overhead smash, the drop shot, and the defensive lob. Each requires specific mechanics and situational awareness.

🏸 Overhead Smash

1

Read the Lob Early

As soon as you see the ball go high, turn sideways and move back quickly with crossover steps — never backpedal.

2

Continental Grip

Same grip as the serve. Set the racquet in a "back scratch" position as you move into position.

3

Non-Dominant Arm Up

Point at the ball with your non-hitting arm to track it. Keeps your shoulder turned and eyes locked on the ball.

4

Drive Up & Pronate

Explode upward, striking the ball at full arm extension. Pronate through contact — same as the serve motion.

🪶 Drop Shot

1

Disguise the Setup

Begin as if hitting a regular groundstroke. Reveal the drop shot as late as possible at contact.

2

Continental Grip, Soft Hands

Open racquet face, gentle high-to-low brush under the ball. Absorb the incoming pace — barely swing.

3

Aim Short & Angled

Land the ball close to the net, angled away from your opponent. Backspin keeps it from bouncing deep.

🌈 Defensive Lob

1

When to Use

Use when pushed deep or wide — a lob buys recovery time and resets the point.

2

Open Racquet Face

Keep your normal grip. Open the face significantly, swing upward — generating a high arc at least 15 feet over the net.

3

Target Deep

Land in the back 3 feet of the opponent's court. Use the time the lob buys to recover to center baseline.

💡

Smash Rule: If the lob is short, smash. If it's deep and you're on the run, lob it back and reset. Never attempt a smash off balance.

Advanced Shot Drills

Video thumbnail: Patrick Mouratoglou coaching overhead smash positioning and swing
Watch on YouTube
🎾 Overhead Smash Masterclass

Complete overhead smash breakdown — footwork, positioning under the ball, swing path, and timing from a world-class coach.

Patrick Mouratoglou · YouTube
Video thumbnail: Drop shot technique masterclass with disguise and touch drills
Watch on YouTube
🟦 Drop Shot Masterclass

How to hit a disguised, effective drop shot — grip, open face, disguise, and touch — that wins points at L5+.

Patrick Mouratoglou · YouTube
L4 → L1

Tactics & Patterns

Tennis player hitting a forehand from the baseline, demonstrating court positioning and tactical shot selection
Photo by Isabella Mendes via Pexels · Free to use

At L4+, winning isn't just about technique — it's about constructing points. These patterns form the tactical foundation of competitive junior tennis.

⚡ Serve + 1 Pattern

1

Deuce: Serve Wide → FH Attack

Serve wide, pulling the opponent off court. Their return comes back to your forehand side — attack the open court.

2

Deuce: Serve T → Inside-Out FH

Serve down the T, opponent returns toward center. Step around and hit inside-out forehand to the open court.

3

Ad: Serve T → BH Attack

Serve down the T to the opponent's forehand. They return middle — drive a backhand down the line or crosscourt.

🔁 3-Ball Pattern

1

Shot 1 — Setup

Hit deep to the opponent's weaker side (usually backhand). Push them back behind the baseline.

2

Shot 2 — Force

Hit behind the opponent as they recover. They expect you to go wide — wrong-foot them instead.

3

Shot 3 — Finish

Put away the winner to the open court, or drop shot if opponent is deep behind the baseline.

🤝 Doubles Net Positioning

1

Volley Position

Stand 2 feet inside the service line, centered in your half of the court. Ready to intercept any crosscourt return.

2

Move Up After Deep Ball

When your partner hits a deep serve or groundstroke, move forward to close the net and cut off the angle.

3

Poach

Step diagonally across when you read a predictable crosscourt return. Communicate with hand signals before the point.

💡

Point Construction: At L3+, aim for 5-ball patterns before going for a winner. Forcing an error is as valuable as hitting a winner — be patient and construct.

⚠ Common Tactical Mistakes

  • No plan: Hitting to no specific target. Fix — decide your shot before the point starts.
  • Going for too much: Low-percentage winners from neutral positions. Fix — move the opponent first.
  • Ignoring the opponent's weakness: Fix — identify it in the first 2 games and exploit it.
  • Changing a winning game: If a pattern is working, keep running it until the opponent solves it.

Tactical Drills

Video thumbnail: Patrick Mouratoglou explaining tennis tactics and patterns of play
Watch on YouTube
🎾 Tactics Masterclass

991K views. The fundamentals of tennis tactics — cross-court rallying, opening the court, and constructing points.

Patrick Mouratoglou · YouTube
Video thumbnail: 5 high-percentage singles strategy tips shown on a tennis court
Watch on YouTube
🟦 5 Singles Strategies

Five simple, high-percentage singles strategies that work at every club level — from L7 beginners to L3 competitors.

2MinuteTennis · YouTube

Footwork & Movement

Great strokes fail without great footwork. These patterns apply at every level.

⬛

Split Step

A small hop landing on both feet as your opponent makes contact. Loads the legs for instant reaction. Do this on every single shot.

All Levels
Video thumbnail: Tennis player demonstrating split step timing and technique
Watch on YouTube
↔️

Shuffle Steps

Side-to-side movement keeping you balanced and ready. Never cross your feet laterally when close to the ball.

All Levels
Video thumbnail: Patrick Mouratoglou explaining 7 footwork keys including shuffle steps
Watch on YouTube
↗️

Crossover Step

For balls far to one side, lead with the outside foot crossing over to cover ground quickly before transitioning to shuffle steps.

All Levels
Video thumbnail: Coach demonstrating crossover step footwork pattern on a tennis court
Watch on YouTube
🔃

Recovery Step

After every shot, push off and recover to the center baseline (or net if at net position). Court coverage requires constant recovery.

All Levels
Video thumbnail: Tennis player pushing off and recovering to center after hitting
Watch on YouTube
⬆️

Approach Step

When a short ball sits up, move forward using short adjustment steps to set up an ideal contact point, then attack through the ball.

L6+
Video thumbnail: Player moving forward to attack a short ball with approach footwork
Watch on YouTube
🎯

Open vs Closed Stance

Closed stance (stepping in with front foot) provides stability for beginners. Open stance (squaring to the net) allows faster recovery — L6+ target.

L6+
Video thumbnail: Side by side comparison of open stance and closed stance forehand positioning
Watch on YouTube

Agility Drill Circuit

Watch each drill below — click the thumbnail to play. Run 3 rounds, 30 seconds each.

Video thumbnail: Tennis player demonstrating split step footwork drill on a court
Watch on YouTube
🟦 Cone Shuffle & Split Step

Side-shuffle baseline to net with a split-step landing at each end. The foundation of all court movement.

Top Tennis Training · YouTube
Video thumbnail: Spider run fitness drill with player sprinting to 5 court corners
Watch on YouTube
🏃 Spider Drill (5-Corner Sprint)

Sprint from the center T to each of the 5 court corners, touching each one and returning. Builds explosive first step.

Timeout · YouTube
Video thumbnail: Tennis player doing ladder footwork drills for agility and speed
Watch on YouTube
⚡ T-Drill & Ladder Patterns

Sprint forward to top cone, shuffle left, shuffle right, backpedal to start. Improves multi-directional change of direction.

Tennis With Rihards · YouTube
Video thumbnail: Tennis coach demonstrating quick-feet figure-8 footwork around two cones on a court
Watch on YouTube
🔁 Figure-8 & Quick Recovery

Weave figure-8 patterns around two cones, always facing the net. Trains recovery footwork and change-of-direction balance.

PlayYourCourt · YouTube

Mental Game

Tennis is as much mental as physical. These principles apply from your very first match.

01

One Point at a Time

Each point is independent. A double fault doesn't cause the next one — reset your routine and start fresh every rally.

Video thumbnail: Tennis mental training tips for staying calm and focused point by point
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02

The Between-Point Routine

Use a 20-second reset: turn away from the court, take a deep breath, positive self-talk, then walk purposefully to the line.

Video thumbnail: Patrick Mouratoglou coaching mental preparation and between-point routines
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03

Focus on Process, Not Score

Think about your technique cue ("low-to-high", "split step"), not the score. Execution focus reduces anxiety and improves results.

Video thumbnail: Patrick Mouratoglou teaching how to stay mentally sharp and process-focused during a match
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04

Positive Body Language

Walk tall, shoulders back, head up — even after errors. Project confidence to feel it. Your opponent reads your body language.

Video thumbnail: Coach explaining how body posture and language affects tennis performance and confidence
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05

Play to Your Strengths

Build patterns that lead to your best shots. Set up forehands. At L4+, identify the opponent's weakness in the first two games and exploit it.

Video thumbnail: Tennis coach explaining how to build a game plan around your strengths to win more singles matches
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06

Embrace Errors

Errors are data, not failures. Every missed shot tells you something about contact point, swing path, or timing. Use them.

Video thumbnail: Intuitive Tennis coach breaking down the four root causes of tennis errors and how to learn from them
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My Progress Checklist

Select your level, check off skills as you master them. Progress is saved locally.

Use this as a learning guide: These checklists and targets are Rally School suggestions, not official USTA requirements. Players develop at different rates; a coach can help choose goals that fit the individual player.

🟣 Junior Circuit — Getting Started

🟡 Level 7 — Recreational Competitor

🟠 Level 6 — Intermediate Competitor

🔵 Level 5 — Advanced Competitor

🟢 Level 4 — Advanced Competitor

🔷 Level 3 — High Performance

🟤 Level 2 — High Performance

🏆 Level 1 — Elite

Level Progress 0 / 10

About Rally School

Rally School is a father-and-son project created by David & Ethan to make tennis learning easier and more accessible for junior players and families.

Ethan is a dedicated junior tennis player who enjoys sharing what he has learned with other young players. He also helps younger and first-time players in the community learn the game, develop their skills, and build confidence on the court.

Together, we created Rally School to organize and share practical tennis knowledge that can help kids learn, practice, and enjoy the game.

NEW

Track Your Progress Online

Create a free account and log every skill across all 5 levels. Your personal score updates as you improve — see exactly where you stand and what to work on next.

📊 Skill scoring engine
🎯 Personalized recommendations
📈 Progress dashboard
🔒 Free to use
Start Tracking My Progress →