Tennis Rally Exercise

Groundstroke consistency is one of the foundations of successful tennis. This drill emphasizes rallying from behind the baseline to build control, depth, and endurance. By requiring players to stay behind the baseline, the exercise forces them to move efficiently and hit with enough spin and height to keep the ball deep. It can be played cooperatively to encourage rhythm or competitively to simulate point play, making it suitable for players of different levels. Regular practice with this drill strengthens footwork, stamina, and reliability in extended rallies.

Setup

• Players begin behind the baseline
• Coach determines whether the rally is cooperative or competitive
• The court can be restricted to certain zones if desired (e.g., doubles alleys, forehands only, or backhands only)

Rules & Objectives

• Both players rally from behind the baseline
• Each shot must be struck after one bounce
• Focus on depth and spin, aiming to land shots deep in the opponent’s court
• Use high net clearance to help generate depth and consistency
• Continue the rally while maintaining positioning behind the baseline

Repetition

• Repeat rallies for set durations or target shot counts
• Coaches may increase difficulty by restricting shots to one wing (forehands only or backhands only)
• Players may compete for points by tracking errors or missed depth

Coaching Points

• Builds groundstroke consistency and endurance
• Trains depth, spin control, and net clearance
• Reinforces strong footwork when playing from deeper positions on the court

Drill Tutorial