How to Teach a Beginner in Tennis

The most enjoyable way for a beginner to learn how to play tennis is through experience. Learn how to pique interest in a beginner by teaching fundamentals through actual play. All aspects of tennis techniques can be honed by simple drills.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Tennis racket
• Tennis ball basket
• Six dozen tennis balls
• Student

1. Stand in front of the net and place your student on the baseline of the opposite side of the court.
2. Toss balls on one bounce slowly to the forehand side of the student.
3. After five forehand attempts, modify the grip and stroke of the student, making certain the racket head is perpendicular to the court surface, the elbow is not bent and the follow-through is smooth.
4. Continue tossing one-bounce forehands until the student becomes robotic in her backswing, follow-through and rhythm.
5. Toss five one-bounce backhands to the student and follow the same pattern. Make certain the student uses a shorter backstroke and maintains a comfortable follow-through.
6. Continue tossing one-bounce backhands until the student becomes robotic in his backswing, following through and rhythm.
7. Mix up forehands and backhands while tossing ball slowly several feet away from the student.

Tips & Warnings

• When allowing for movement to the ball, make certain the student has completed the backswing during his approach. Her feet should be parallel a short distance apart. Repetition will allow the student to consistently judge his distance from the ball so that he is making contact with comfortable arm extension. If her elbow is bent, she is using too much wrist in her stroke and she will lose both control and power.
• Arm extension is important in teaching beginners, but overextension is unsafe and could cause elbow strain.