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Subscribe and get a free lessonBeginner training plan
Your first lessonFor 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 2-3For 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.
