For a first lesson with a tennis beginner, the key is to make it fun, engaging, and confidence-boosting while introducing the basic fundamentals. Here’s how I’d structure it:
1. Warm-up & Introduction (5-10 min)
• Get to know the student: Ask about their sports background, experience with racquet sports, and any injuries.
• Light dynamic warm-up: Jogging, side steps, arm circles, and some coordination exercises.
2. Hand-Eye Coordination Drills (10 min)
• Bouncing the ball on the racquet and the ground.
• Toss-and-catch drills to develop timing and feel.
• Mini-tennis (short-court rally) to get comfortable with contact.
3. Basic Stroke Fundamentals (15 min)
• Grip Introduction: Start with the basic grip for forehand (Eastern or semi-Western) and backhand.
• Swing Path: Show a simple low-to-high motion for topspin.
• Shadow Swings: Practice without the ball first, focusing on technique.
• Drop Hit Drill: Have them drop a ball and hit it over the net to develop a feel for the shot.
4. Basic Footwork & Movement (10 min)
• Simple positioning drills, like stepping into the shot.
• Moving to the ball and recovering to a ready position.
5. Rally & Fun Games (15 min)
• Controlled feeding: You toss the ball, and they return.
• Short-court rallies: Encouraging consistency and control.
• Fun target games to build confidence.
6. Recap & Homework (5 min)
• Review what they learned and highlight one key takeaway.
• Give a simple practice drill (like bouncing the ball on the racquet at home).
• End on a positive note, ensuring they’re excited for the next lesson.
Lesson 11-15: Refinement & Match Play Focus
Lesson 11: Advanced Serve & Return
• Serve placement & spin variation.
• Return aggression & consistency drills.
Lesson 12: Net Play & Reaction Drills
• Fast volleys, touch shots, and overhead control.
• Doubles-specific movement at the net.
Lesson 13: Tactical Baseline Play
• Constructing points with patterns (crosscourt exchanges, change of direction).
• Mixing defense & attack in rallies.
Lesson 14: Match Play Situations
• Playing under pressure (break points, set points).
• Tiebreakers & strategy adjustments.
Lesson 15: Full Match with Coaching
• Supervised set play with live feedback.
• Post-match analysis & improvement plan.
For lessons 4 through 10, I would continue building on fundamentals while adding more advanced techniques, movement, and strategy. The focus would be on developing consistency, introducing point play, and making the player comfortable in different areas of the court.
Lesson 4-10:Serve & Return Fundamentals
1. Warm-up & Review (10 min)
• Footwork and coordination drills.
• Forehand and backhand rally warm-up.
2. Refining the Serve (15 min)
• Focus on the toss: consistency and placement.
• Full motion serve from the baseline.
• Introduce spin (slice or topspin serve depending on ability).
3. Introducing the Return of Serve (15 min)
• Ready position and split step timing.
• Blocking the return vs. taking a full swing.
• Controlled serve-return drills.
4. Rallying with Serve & Return (10 min)
• Short points: serve, return, and rally (2–3 shots).
• Focus on getting the ball in play.
5. Fun Target Challenge (10 min)
• Serve accuracy drill (hitting zones in the service box).
• Return consistency challenge.
For the second and third lessons, I would focus on reinforcing fundamentals while gradually increasing difficulty, incorporating movement, and introducing new strokes.
Second Lesson: Building Consistency & Introducing the Backhand
1. Warm-up & Review (10 min)
• Light warm-up with footwork drills (side steps, quick steps, and balance exercises).
• Recap of forehand fundamentals with self-rally drills and mini-tennis.
• Quick check on grip and swing path.
2. Forehand Progression (15 min)
• Controlled hand-feeding to improve consistency.
• Adding movement: Have them step into the shot and recover.
• Basic directional control (hitting crosscourt/down the line).
3. Introducing the Backhand (15 min)
• Grip introduction (two-handed or one-handed, depending on the student).
• Shadow swings to reinforce mechanics.
• Drop-hit drill for feel and control.
• Short-court rallying with the backhand.
4. First Rally Attempts (10 min)
• You feed balls from the baseline, encouraging continuous hitting.
• Emphasize tracking the ball and early preparation.
5. Fun Game & Cool Down (10 min)
• Target game (hitting cones or zones on the court).
• Quick recap of key points and what to practice before the next class.
Third Lesson: Serve Introduction & Net Play
1. Warm-up & Recap (10 min)
• Footwork drills with cone movements.
• Review of forehand and backhand with cooperative rallying.
2. Introducing the Serve (15 min)
• Continental grip explanation.
• Tossing exercises to develop consistency.
• Shadowing the motion step by step.
• Half-serve drill (starting from the service line for control).
3. Volleys Introduction (15 min)
• Proper grip and continental grip awareness.
• Short punch volleys at the service line.
• Hand-fed drills to develop soft hands and control.
• Simple volley-to-volley drills to work on reaction time.
4. Baseline Rally Practice (10 min)
• Increasing rally length with forehands and backhands.
• Movement drills: hitting and recovering to the ready position.
5. Fun Challenge & Cool Down (10 min)
• Mini-tennis game with forehands, backhands, and volleys.
• Serving contest (e.g., hitting targets or serving into the correct box).
• Review key takeaways and goals for the next lesson.