Tennis
Serve
Serve Placement Drill
Tennis drill for serve training sessions
Practise placing serves to three target zones: wide, body, and T.
What This Drill Improves
This tennis drill is best for intermediate players who need focused work on serve. It works well with 2 players and can be adjusted by changing the space, pressure, or scoring rules.
Setup
Cones in three positions in the service box. Player serves from deuce and ad sides.
Instructions
- Server calls out target before each serve.
- 5 serves to wide, 5 to body, 5 to T per side.
- Score 1 point per target hit. Max 30 per round.
- Switch sides and repeat.
Coaching Points
✓ Ball toss placement changes ball direction — toss right for T, left for wide.
✓ Disguise — same toss, different spin.
✓ Body serve goes at the hip, not the shoulder.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Players losing focus on the main coaching point.
- The drill area being too large or too small for the group.
- Progressing the drill before the basic pattern is clean.
Progressions: Make It Harder
→ Partner returns serve — must hit to a target.
→ Remove cone markers — call it mentally.
→ Serve + 1 — server follows serve in and plays next ball.
Regressions: Make It Easier
Start without defenders, then add pressure once the movement pattern is clear.
Allow extra touches until players understand the timing.
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