How to Practise Tennis Between Lessons: Drills Alone or With a Partner
A good lesson shows you what to change. What you do in the days that follow decides whether the change sticks. Players who practise between lessons, even briefly, tend to arrive at their next session ready to build on the last one instead of repeating it.
You do not need a hitting partner or hours of court time to do this. Below are practical ways to practise tennis between lessons, alone or with a partner, plus a simple weekly routine that fits a busy Singapore schedule.
Start with your coach's homework
Before choosing drills, decide what you are practising. At the end of each lesson, ask your coach for one or two cues to work on, for example "turn your shoulders earlier" or "toss the ball further in front". Write them down.
Every practice session should serve those cues. Hitting hundreds of balls without a focus feels productive but often just repeats old habits.
Ways to practise alone
Shadow swings
Shadow swinging means repeating the stroke without a ball, slowly and deliberately. It is the easiest way to groove a new movement because you can concentrate fully on the position of your racket, shoulders and feet.
Do it in front of a mirror or film yourself on your phone, then compare with what your coach showed you. Ten minutes at home on a few evenings a week can help a new movement feel more natural.
Ball control drills
Bounce the ball up on your strings, then down to the ground, then alternate. Try it with the other side of the racket and on the frame edge. These simple drills build the hand-eye coordination and soft touch that every shot depends on. They are excellent for beginners and children, and you can do them almost anywhere.
Serve practice
The serve is the one shot you can fully practise alone on an empty court. Take a basket of balls and work in this order:
Toss only: let the ball drop and check where it lands. A consistent toss is the foundation of a consistent serve.
Technique: serve at moderate pace, focusing on your coach's cue rather than the result.
Targets: place cones or water bottles in the service box and aim for them.
Our guide to developing a consistent serve has more ideas.
Footwork
Good strokes start with good movement. You can train split steps, side shuffles and recovery steps on any open surface. A few short sets of movement drills, done well, will make your strokes easier to time. See our article on tennis footwork for exercises.
Wall practice
Where a practice wall or backboard is available and allowed, it is a great training partner: it returns every ball and never gets tired. Start close with gentle, controlled shots, then move back as your consistency improves. Always check the rules of the facility before hitting against any wall.
Ways to practise with a partner
Cooperative rallies
Rally with the goal of keeping the ball in play, not winning the point. Count how many shots you can hit in a row and try to beat your record. This builds consistency far better than playing points too early.
Mini tennis
Rally inside the service boxes with soft, controlled shots. Mini tennis develops touch, early preparation and footwork, and makes a perfect warm-up before any session.
Themed games
Play points with a rule that matches your homework: crosscourt only, every ball must land past the service line, or serve and play only second serves. A theme turns a casual hit into real practice.
Using a ball machine
A ball machine gives you hundreds of repetitions at a constant speed and height, which makes it ideal for grooving a stroke you have just changed with your coach. It also solves the most common problem in Singapore: finding a hitting partner at your level who is free at the same time as you.
We explain the pros, cons and what to look for in our guide to choosing a tennis ball machine in Singapore. Spin Tennis is the official Singapore distributor of the Acemate tennis robot, which can be tried before you buy.
A simple weekly practice plan
Day | Session | Focus |
Lesson day | Lesson with your coach | Learn one or two new cues |
Lesson day + 2 | 20 to 30 minutes alone | Shadow swings, ball control, serve basket |
Weekend | Hit or play with a partner | Cooperative rallies, then themed points |
Any evening | 10 minutes at home | Shadow swings in front of a mirror |
This adds up to about an hour of extra work a week, and it is often enough to make your next lesson noticeably more productive.
Finding court time in Singapore
Many condominiums have their own tennis court that residents can book, which makes short solo sessions easy to fit in. Public courts are available through ActiveSG. Our guide to tennis courts in Singapore covers the main options.
Early mornings and evenings are usually the most comfortable times to practise. Whatever the time, bring plenty of water and take breaks, especially for longer sessions.
Common mistakes when practising between lessons
Practising without a goal. Decide what you are working on before you start.
Only hitting forehands. Practise your weaker shots too, especially the backhand and serve.
Going for speed too soon. A new movement should be grooved slowly before you add pace.
Skipping the warm-up. A few minutes of movement and mini tennis reduces the risk of strain.
Changing everything at once. Work on one or two cues at a time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I practise tennis without a court?
Yes. Shadow swings, ball control drills and footwork exercises need only a small open space. They will not replace hitting on a court, but they help a new movement become automatic.
How long should a practice session be?
A focused 20 to 30 minutes is more valuable than a long session without a clear goal. Quality and regularity matter more than duration.
Is it better to practise alone or with a partner?
Both have their place. Practising alone is ideal for technique and serves. Practising with a partner builds timing, consistency and match skills. A mix of the two works best.
How often should I take lessons if I practise regularly?
Players who practise between sessions can often space lessons out a little. Your coach can suggest the right rhythm for your level.
Make your lessons count
The more structured your practice, the further each lesson takes you. If you would like a coach to set clear goals and practice routines for you, our certified coaches can help, at your condominium or on a court near you. See our current rates on the lessons and fees page.
WhatsApp Vincent on +65 8615 7235 or send us a message through our contact form.
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