When I approach a first tennis lesson with a beginner, my main goal is to create a welcoming and positive environment. I start by introducing myself and taking a few minutes to get to know the student. I ask if they’ve played tennis before, what brought them to the sport, and what they hope to get out of the lesson. This helps me understand their comfort level and tailor the session to their needs. I also explain what we’ll be working on that day in simple terms so they feel informed and at ease.
I always begin with a light warm-up to get the body moving and relaxed. This usually includes some light jogging, dynamic stretches, and fun coordination drills like tossing and catching a tennis ball or bouncing it on the racket. These activities help build hand-eye coordination and get the student comfortable with the ball and their movements on the court.
Next, I introduce the basic equipment and court layout. I demonstrate how to hold the racket using the “shake hands” grip and explain where we’ll be playing, keeping it very simple. I don’t go into too much detail about the rules or court lines in the first lesson because I want to avoid overwhelming them. The goal at this stage is to make tennis feel approachable. I typically focus on teaching the forehand stroke first, since it’s often the easiest for beginners to pick up. I break down the motion step by step using simple cues like “turn, drop, swing, and follow through.” I demonstrate slowly, then let them try with drop feeds or short-distance hitting in the mini court. If they’re doing well, I might introduce the backhand, but I always adjust based on their confidence and ability. To keep things fun and build their confidence, I end the lesson with a few easy rally or target-based drills. We might try to hit a ball back and forth from the service line or aim at a cone on the court. I celebrate every small success and make sure they leave feeling accomplished, even making solid contact with the ball is a big win for a first-timer.
At the end of the session, I lead a quick cool-down and check in with how they felt about the lesson. I ask what they enjoyed, what felt tricky, and I give them one or two simple things they can practice at home, like bouncing the ball on the racket. I also let them know what we’ll work on next time so they stay motivated and excited to come back. My goal is always to build confidence, make tennis enjoyable, and set a strong foundation for progress.
Starting with lesson 11 and beyond, my approach shifts toward refining technique, building endurance, and introducing more advanced concepts that will prepare the student for competitive or recreational match play. I continue reinforcing the fundamentals,!forehand, backhand, serve, and volley, but now with a greater focus on consistency under pressure, shot variety, and tactical awareness. I introduce more complex drills that simulate real point situations, such as approach shot–volley combinations, cross-court rallies, and defensive-to-offensive transitions. I also begin challenging them with placement targets and depth control, helping them understand not just how to hit, but where and why.
During this phase, I place more emphasis on the mental side of the game. I help the student develop routines between points, manage frustration, and stay focused during longer rallies or matches. We’ll practice tie-break scenarios, work on keeping composure when behind, and discuss match strategy, like when to go for safer shots versus taking calculated risks. I also encourage regular match play, either through organized hitting sessions, casual singles/doubles matches, or entry-level tournaments or leagues if they’re ready. The goal is to get them comfortable making decisions and executing under real pressure.
As we continue beyond lesson 15 or so, I tailor everything to their goals, whether that’s competitive play, recreational enjoyment, or general fitness. I might introduce specialty shots like drop shots, lobs, or slice backhands, depending on their level and interest. Physical conditioning becomes more integrated into each session, with more dynamic footwork and endurance-based drills. Throughout, I continue to adjust and refine their form while encouraging independence and confidence. By this stage, I want them to not only enjoy the game but to feel empowered to play intelligently, confidently, and competitively in any setting.
In lessons 4 through 6, I start helping the student build consistency, confidence, and a better understanding of how to move around the court. I continue refining their forehand and backhand technique through repetition, feeding balls at different heights and speeds, and incorporating more footwork drills. I also begin to introduce basic concepts like split-step timing and court positioning. During these lessons, I increase the length and intensity of rallies, encouraging the student to recover quickly after each shot. I continue working on the serve in small parts, focusing on a reliable toss, clean contact, and proper follow-through, and start introducing second serves using a more relaxed motion. By lesson 6, I expect them to be comfortable with short rallies, able to make contact with most serves, and start reacting more naturally on the court.
Lessons 7 through 8 focus on applying their strokes in more game-like scenarios. I introduce the volley and basic net play, beginning with simple positioning and how to make contact in front of the body. We also work on transitioning from the baseline to the net. I start introducing point play with controlled conditions, for example, feeding the first ball in, then letting them rally and play out the point. This helps them understand strategy, shot selection, and how to stay mentally focused during play. I also continue improving their serve, introducing the concept of serving into specific targets (e.g., deuce court wide or down the middle), and working on toss consistency.
By lessons 9 and 10, my focus shifts to helping them feel match-ready. I run full-court point play, mini-matches, and serve-return drills to build their confidence in live situations. I also cover basic rules, scoring, and etiquette if they haven’t fully grasped that yet. At this stage, I encourage independent thinking — making decisions during points, identifying when to hit aggressively or defensively, and managing their movement. Throughout all lessons, I keep reinforcing fundamentals, correcting habits gently, and maintaining a fun, supportive environment. By lesson 10, my goal is for the student to be rallying comfortably, serving with confidence, and ready to play casual matches with friends or in a beginner league.
In the second tennis lesson, I focus on building confidence and consistency with the forehand while introducing the backhand. I begin with a light warm-up, including footwork and hand-eye coordination drills to get the player moving and comfortable. Then, we review the forehand technique learned in the first lesson, focusing on timing, follow-through, and making solid contact. I keep feeding balls slowly and adjust based on their comfort level, offering encouragement and simple feedback. Once the student feels steady with the forehand, I introduce the backhand, starting with grip and body positioning. I guide them through a few dry swings before adding gentle ball feeds, helping them understand the motion without pressuring them to get it perfect right away.
In the third lesson, I start expanding the player’s comfort with court movement and introduce the flow of rallying. After the warm-up, I review both strokes and begin practicing recovery after each shot, encouraging them to move their feet and stay balanced. I introduce short rallies using slow feeds, helping them build rhythm and consistency with both the forehand and backhand. I keep things playful and low-stress, aiming to help them connect multiple shots in a row. Once they start to rally a bit, I introduce the serve. I break it down into small steps, beginning with the grip and toss, and then work toward tapping the ball over the net. My focus here is on mechanics and feel, not power or accuracy.
Throughout both lessons, I keep things positive and progress at their pace. I adjust drills and expectations based on their comfort and energy levels, making sure they always feel supported. At the end of each session, I check in to see what they enjoyed or found difficult, and I offer one or two small things they can work on at home. By the end of lesson three, my goal is for them to feel more like a real player, able to hit both groundstrokes, try a basic serve, and start to understand the rhythm of a point. Most importantly, I want them to feel excited and motivated to keep learning.
When I teach an advanced tennis player, the first lesson is all about assessment, fine-tuning fundamentals, and setting goals. I assume they already have solid technique and experience, so I use the session to evaluate their current level, identify strengths and weaknesses, and understand their playing style and mindset.
I start with a brief conversation to learn about their tennis background, what they’re currently working on, and what their short- and long-term goals are, whether it’s competing, improving specific shots, or becoming more consistent under pressure. I also ask about injuries, fitness level, and match experience. After a dynamic warm-up, I run them through a variety of hitting drills that cover all the key areas: forehand, backhand, serve, return, net play, and movement. I feed at different speeds and depths and have them rally with me or another advanced player if available. I pay close attention to their footwork, timing, recovery, shot selection, and body mechanics.
The rest of the lesson is customized based on what I see. For example, if their forehand is strong but breaks down under pressure, I’ll introduce high-tempo rally drills or pattern play to test consistency. If their serve lacks variety, I’ll work on placement, spin, or disguise. I also gauge their mental game, how they respond to mistakes, adapt, or compete. I end the lesson with a clear summary of their performance, immediate areas for improvement, and a training plan going forward. For advanced players, the first lesson is about showing them I understand the game at their level and that I’m there to challenge them, push their limits, and help them grow.
Starting from lesson 11 and beyond, the focus shifts toward fine-tuning all aspects of the player’s game to achieve peak performance. I work closely with the player to polish their technical skills, ensuring every stroke is efficient and reliable even under fatigue or pressure. Advanced drills emphasize precision, shot disguise, and varying pace to keep opponents guessing. We also integrate more complex tactical scenarios, such as playing against different styles or adapting mid-match to shifts in momentum. This stage is about sharpening the player’s competitive edge and helping them execute their game plan with confidence and consistency.
Mentally, lessons at this level place a strong emphasis on focus, resilience, and match preparation. I help the player develop routines for pre-match warm-ups, between-point focus techniques, and strategies to manage stress and frustration. We simulate high-pressure situations like tiebreaks or break points to build their mental toughness and decision-making skills. Video analysis and match review become important tools here, allowing the player to see patterns in their own play and identify subtle areas for improvement. I encourage self-awareness and autonomy so they can adjust tactics and mindset independently during competition.
Physically, I incorporate conditioning and injury prevention exercises tailored to the demands of high-level tennis. Footwork drills become more dynamic and explosive, emphasizing quick recovery and efficient movement. Flexibility, strength, and endurance training are integrated to sustain performance during long matches or tournaments. At this stage, training is highly individualized, focusing on maximizing the player’s unique strengths while minimizing weaknesses. Overall, lessons 11 and beyond are designed to elevate the player from solid competitor to confident, strategic, and mentally strong match winner.
From lessons 4 to 6, I focus on building the player’s consistency and expanding their tactical toolbox. We work on refining stroke production with varied spins, speeds, and angles to keep opponents off balance. Drills become more pattern-based, emphasizing point construction like setting up an opponent with deep shots before attacking the net or exploiting weaknesses in court positioning. Serve and return games become more detailed, with attention to serve placement, disguise, and aggressive returns. I also introduce transition drills to improve their approach shots and volleying under pressure, helping them move confidently from baseline to net.
In lessons 7 to 8, I emphasize competitive scenarios and match simulation to help the player apply skills under realistic pressure. We increase rally intensity and incorporate restrictions or objectives, such as limiting certain shots or forcing cross-court play, to sharpen tactical thinking and shot selection. Conditioning and footwork drills become more dynamic, preparing them for quick directional changes and endurance during long points. I also introduce more advanced serve variations like slice or kick serves, and work on serve patterns that set up easier next shots. Mental toughness and focus are stressed through point-play challenges that simulate match situations where the player must manage momentum swings and pressure moments.
During lessons 9 to 10, I hone the player’s ability to adapt and strategize against different opponents and playing styles. We work on identifying patterns in the opponent’s game and adjusting shot selection accordingly, practicing counter-punching and offensive tactics. Serve + volley and doubles tactics may be introduced depending on their interests and goals. Match play is recorded and reviewed for technical, tactical, and mental insights. The sessions become increasingly tailored, emphasizing the player’s unique strengths and addressing subtle weaknesses to ensure they are confident, well-rounded, and ready to compete consistently at their level.
In lesson 2, I begin by reviewing the key takeaways from the first session and incorporating feedback from the player. I structure the warm-up to transition quickly into live hitting, focusing on timing, rhythm, and footwork. During this session, I dive deeper into their baseline game, working on consistency under pressure and shot variety. I run drills that require the player to alternate between cross-court and down-the-line shots, while maintaining depth and pace. I also observe how they handle transitions, for example, moving from defense to offense, and start to challenge their decision-making in live ball scenarios. If any technical adjustments are needed, I keep them minimal and focused on efficiency rather than overhauling their natural style.
As the session progresses, I introduce more structured point play to assess how well they implement patterns and tactics. We might work on specific sequences, like attacking a short ball with an inside-out forehand followed by a volley, or running a forehand-dominant rally to open space. I also begin refining their serve, particularly second serve placement and spin, as well as return consistency. We work on serve +1 patterns and read-and-react drills to simulate pressure situations. Throughout, I’m assessing their footwork, recovery habits, and ability to stay balanced during high-intensity play.
In lesson 3, I build on the tactical foundation laid in the previous session and begin raising the physical and mental demands. I include more dynamic movement drills that simulate match conditions, like rallying while constantly recovering to the center or responding to sudden directional changes. I introduce more advanced return-of-serve drills, focusing on positioning, anticipation, and aggressive responses to second serves. If they’re comfortable, I start incorporating full-point scenarios with specific tactical goals, such as playing to a weaker backhand or constructing a point around their best shot. By the end of lesson 3, the player should be actively using strategy, showing mental discipline under pressure, and beginning to take ownership of their development with clear goals in mind.