Play 21!
Now it's time to complete the sandwich! 21 is a great tennis lesson that'll "groove the groundstrokes." Both players begin on the baseline, with one person hitting (not a serve) to the other. After 3 balls, the point is "live." The entire singles court is good. Be patient. This will make your groundstrokes great!
Play Mini Tennis
Having trouble controlling your baseline shots? Come up close and try your hand at "mini-rallys." Simply put, your job and your partner's job is to keep the ball within the confines of the 4 service boxes. See if you can sustain a 10 ball rally. Then, play to 15, using the entire area of the mini court! This game works great in group tennis lessons.
30 Minutes to a Better Game
This is a great warmup drill taught to me by one of my mentors we did in every tennis lesson. Start with mini tennis, followed by crosscourt baseline strokes. Then move in, volley with the baseliner, then switch. Now volley to volley. Now, baseline to volley. Baseliner alternates groundstroke and lob, net player warms up volley and overhead. Switch. Done!
Offensive Tennis!
Welcome to the front lines of tennis! Volleys and overheads are sometimes thought to be the hardest part of tennis lessons, but are not! For the volley, think "catch" to control the racquet and ball. For the overhead, think "relax" and your hand, wrist and arm will then do the work. From the book Tennis For Life.
The Two Bounce Drill
Here's a little "zest" for your tennis sandwich! Would you like to learn CONTROL from the baseline quickly? The "two bounce drill" is simple, it works and should be used in every tennis lesson. Both players hit from the baseline, striking the ball with a short swing, and targeting the opposite service boxes. Go for 10 in a row, then play first to 11! Have fun!
Bounce and Trounce Drill
Try this tennis lesson drill with a friend! With a few dozen balls, or preferably a "hopper" of balls, have your friend hit a "blooper" ball (high and slow) around the service line area. Take the ball as it's coming up, and hit it back with controlled power. It's a tough, but fun drill! Switch after 5 minutes!
Topspin Lobs
The secret to a solid topspin lob is disguise. Set up your lob like a regular groundstroke. Then, just prior to contact, accelerate the racquet head up, and watch the ball quickly fly over your opponents head! Before you attempt to play competitive tennis you should make sure this is covered in one of your tennis lessons.
Learn by Doing
Integrating the audio and visual with the kinesthetic are the best ways to learn specific strokes you are learning in your tennis lessons. It's not enough to hear it and see it. You must do it, and do it repeatedly until it "feels right" and you get the desired result you want.
Chip and Charge
Chipping and charging is great practice for doubles. Here is a great drill you should use in tennis lessons -- 2 or 4 play. One team hits the ball to start the game at the opponent's service line. The team receiving the ball attacks the ball, "chipping and charging" to the net. Play out the point, and switch hitters and receivers every 3 points. First to 21 wins!
To learn, you must teach!
When taking tennis lessons try to keep the thoughts of Stephen Covey in mind. He has suggested that in order to learn any new skill well, you must teach it. That places the burden on you to really learn that skill. Additionally, you also need to concisely communicate that skill. In so doing, your skill in that subject will become that much better!
Learn by Teaching
Here's how to quickly learn what you've been taught at your tennis lessons. Teach it to others. When you learn the use of the opposite hand, for example, you need to immediately find a partner that has NEVER been exposed to that tip. Teach them the use of the opposite hand, and then ensure they understand it; the only way to teach this tip, or any tip in tennis properly, is to first understand it, and finally, to teach it to others!
The art of mini rallys
Want a tennis lesson that'll teach you groundstrokes fast? Then mini rallying is for you! Both players start just behind the service line, near the net. Bump (that means NO big swings)the ball back and forth with one bounce until control is achieved. 10 in a row as a team, then, play first to 11, using all 4 service boxes as your tennis court.
Another Ball in the Wall
If you don't have a partner, ANY wall will groove your ground strokes. Try this free tennis lesson on your own. Play up close to the wall to hit the ball in the center string as much as possible. Then, move back and let the ball bounce twice against the wall, hitting the ball softly! This will give you the rhythm and timing essential for ground strokes!
Two Important Strokes in Match Play
Whether your taking a tennis lesson or reading a tennis for beginners book, one of the first things you'll learn about are the two most important shots in tennis. The serve and the return. If you're interested in playing competitively, you must have a solid and consistent serve and return. Why? At the intermediate level and below, most shots don't last beyond 4 or 5 shots!