Prepare your workout
- Equipment
- Court, Rackets, Ball basket and Coach or partner with controlled feeding
- Before you choose
- For players who control approaches, volleys, overheads and braking. First rehearse the five-ball sequence at moderate speed.
- Intensity
- Effort 6–8/10 during sequences; recover until you can repeat with quality.
- Warm-up
- Preparation is already included at the start: Dynamic court warm-up. Follow those blocks as prescribed and do not repeat them as extra work. Increase the pace gradually without aiming for fatigue.
Duration is approximate. Prepare your equipment and take the indicated rests; needing more rest can make the workout longer.
PREPARE TO MOVEYour warm-up
These movements are already part of the workout. Do them in their scheduled place rather than repeating them as extra work.
Dynamic court warm-up
1 × 6 min
In a clear lane, begin walking and progress to a gentle jog. Add sideways steps and comfortable shoulder and hip movements. Finish with two short, gradual accelerations; walk back between them.
What you train: Prepares court movement and coordinates legs, trunk and arms.
Watch video ↗ See its place in the workout
STEP BY STEP
Your complete workout
9 exercises01Dynamic court warm-up
1 × 6 min
How to do it- In a clear lane, begin walking and progress to a gentle jog.
- Add sideways steps and comfortable shoulder and hip movements.
- Finish with two short, gradual accelerations; walk back between them.
What it trainsPrepares court movement and coordinates legs, trunk and arms.
- Rest
- Include two gradual accelerations without exhausting yourself.
- Tempo
- Technical control; full pause between repetitions
The movement, step by step
Begin walking and move into an easy jog. Add sideways movement, comfortable shoulder and hip mobility, and two short progressive accelerations. Walk back between runs.
Technique cueThe final pass should leave you ready to play rather than exhausted.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Walk and reduce range and speed.
- To progress
- Add a controlled diagonal start before beginning to hit.
- Avoid this mistake
- Starting with a maximal run before warming up.
View exercise guide ↗02Cooperative mini-tennis
2 × 60 s
How to do it- Stand near service lines on opposite sides of the net with the boxes clear.
- Start gently and return after one bounce inside the service boxes.
- Maintain a cooperative rally and adjust distance if control is lost.
What it trainsTrains force control and placement in a short cooperative rally.
- Rest
- Rest 30 s between sets. Collect the balls before the next block.
- Tempo
- Technical control; full pause between repetitions
The movement, step by step
Stand near the service lines. Begin with a gentle feed and maintain a rally after one bounce within the service boxes. Adjust the distance to preserve control.
Technique cueWork together to keep the ball in play.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Use a low-compression ball and catch after the bounce before returning it.
- To progress
- Alternate forehand and backhand without greatly increasing speed.
- Avoid this mistake
- Trying to hit a winner when the goal is cooperation.
View exercise guide ↗03Baseline coverage and recovery
5 × 4 balls
How to do it- Start at a central baseline marker; your partner prepares reachable side feeds.
- Move to each ball, adjust final steps and hit in balance.
- Recover to centre before the next feed, leaving braking room.
What it trainsTrains lateral baseline coverage and recovery after hitting.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s between sets. Collect the balls before the next block.
- Tempo
- Technical control; full pause between repetitions
The movement, step by step
Respond to sideways feeds from the baseline and recover to a central reference after each shot.
Technique cueThe feeder waits until you are ready; slow down if you arrive late.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce feed width and speed.
- To progress
- Maintain accuracy with slightly faster feeds.
- Avoid this mistake
- Continuing when you are consistently late.
View exercise guide ↗04Five-shot transition to the net
4 × 5 balls
How to do it- Agree a five-ball sequence with the feeder and start at the baseline.
- Link shots while moving forward, adjusting your steps to stay balanced.
- Set your feet at the net and finish with a controlled volley.
What it trainsTrains the transition from baseline play to net attack.
- Rest
- Rest 60 s between sets. Collect the balls before the next block.
- Tempo
- Technical control; full pause between repetitions
The movement, step by step
Complete a five-shot sequence from the baseline towards the net, finishing with a volley.
Technique cueCoordinate forward movement with each feed so you can prepare the stroke.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Rehearse the sequence walking, with predictable feeds.
- To progress
- Record how many sequences you finish in the target zone.
- Avoid this mistake
- Speeding up without controlling your contact position.
View exercise guide ↗05Net coverage: approach, volley and overhead
4 sequences of 3 balls
How to do it- Agree an approach, volley and lob sequence with the feeder; start at the baseline.
- Hit the approach, advance and settle your feet for the volley.
- Turn to position under the lob; hit with control or cancel if unsafe.
What it trainsTrains approach, volley and overhead positioning.
- Rest
- Rest 60 s between sets. Collect the balls before the next block.
- Tempo
- Technical control; full pause between repetitions
The movement, step by step
Link an approach, volley and adjustment for a controlled overhead in a prepared sequence.
Technique cueLeave space to reposition; never run blindly backwards after a lob.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Practise only the approach and volley, without an overhead.
- To progress
- Vary targets while keeping the same number of strokes.
- Avoid this mistake
- Hitting while losing your balance.
View exercise guide ↗06Set up a drop volley
2 × 4 sequences; switch the active player in another session
How to do it- One player prepares the approach shot while the partner feeds; clear the path to the net.
- Hit a deep approach shot, move forwards and steady your feet before the volley.
- Choose a deep or short volley according to the position indicated by the feeder.
What it trainsPractises moving to the net and choosing a deep or short volley for the situation.
- Rest
- 60 s between sets. The duration is for one active player.
- Tempo
- Technical control; full pause between repetitions
The movement, step by step
Hit a deep approach shot, move forwards and prepare the volley. Alternate deep and short volleys according to the position indicated by the feeder. Only one player hits in this block; the partner feeds.
Technique cueThe same player hits throughout this block; the partner stays in the feeder role.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Receive a gentle feed and practise only the short volley.
- To progress
- Alternate deep and short volleys according to your partner's position.
- Avoid this mistake
- Trying a drop volley from an unbalanced position.
View exercise guide ↗07Baseline, volley and overhead game
2 × 3 min
How to do it- Start a baseline point; its winner moves to the net for the next phase.
- Win a volley point, then an overhead point to complete one game point.
- Return to the baseline after a failed phase; clear balls before restarting.
What it trainsLinks baseline play, volleys and overheads with different decisions.
- Rest
- 60–90 s between rounds. Finish the current point and collect the balls.
- Tempo
- Technical control; full pause between repetitions
The movement, step by step
Play a baseline point. Its winner then tries to win at the net and finally with an overhead to score one game point. Failing a phase means returning to the baseline.
Technique cueAgree who feeds each ball and cancel lobs without safe positioning.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Replace the overhead with an easy volley while retaining the transition.
- To progress
- Play with target limits and note where control is lost.
- Avoid this mistake
- Confusing winning one rally with completing all three phases.
View exercise guide ↗08Forehand self-rally with a bounce
Additional exercise
1 × 5
How to do it- In a clear space, face the racket upward with the ball on the strings.
- Tap to about eye height, allow one bounce and catch.
- Once controlled, link forehand taps with one bounce between each.
What it trainsTrains bounce judgement and racket-face control on the forehand.
- Rest
- Rest 30 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
The movement, step by step
With the racket face upwards, tap the ball to approximately eye height. Allow one bounce and catch it. Then link taps with a bounce between each.
Technique cueUse a low-compression ball and a repeatable height.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Catch the ball after each bounce.
- To progress
- Link six contacts without leaving a marked area.
- Avoid this mistake
- Avoid hitting so hard that you must chase the ball.
View exercise guide ↗09Alternating forehand-backhand self-rally
Additional exercise
1 × 5
How to do it- Start in a clear area with a forehand upward tap.
- Allow one bounce, prepare the backhand grip and tap upward again.
- Continue alternating with one bounce and a comfortable height.
What it trainsTrains switching strokes and adjusting grip while controlling the bounce.
- Rest
- Rest 30 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
The movement, step by step
Tap the ball upwards, allow one bounce and change sides to alternate forehand and backhand. Adjust your grip before the next contact and keep a comfortable height.
Technique cueChange grip during the bounce, before the ball reaches the strings.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Catch the ball when changing sides.
- To progress
- Complete eight alternations at a similar height.
- Avoid this mistake
- Changing grip while hitting.
View exercise guide ↗
FINISH THE SESSIONFinish and prepare your next step.
Walk for 3 min and note where control was lost: baseline, approach, volley or overhead.
How to progress
Require four technically clean sequences before varying feeds. Progress with one extra decision or a smaller target, without adding sets.
Open workout in the app →General routines for adults. If you have a health condition, an injury, are pregnant or have medical instructions, consult your professional before starting and ask for adaptations. Stop if you experience pain, dizziness or unusual breathlessness.