9 Great Tennis Overhead Drills for Kids

1. Basic Overhead Form:

Teaching basic overhead forms in tennis is crucial for young players to develop a strong foundation in their game. The overhead shot, often referred to as a “smash” in tennis, is a powerful and offensive stroke that can be a game-changer when executed correctly. To help kids learn this essential skill, we need to break down the process into manageable steps.

1. Explanation of Overhead Form in Tennis:

   Start by explaining to the young players that the overhead shot is used when the ball is high above their heads, typically after a lob from their opponent. Emphasize that the grip and body positioning are critical components of this shot. You can use simple language like, “Think of the overhead as if you’re catching a high-flying ball.”

2. Grip and Stance: Next, introduce the correct grip and stance. The grip for an overhead shot should be similar to the continental grip, where the base knuckle of the index finger rests on the third bevel of the tennis racket handle. Explain that they should hold the racket like they’re shaking hands with it.Regarding body positioning, have the kids stand with their feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent for balance. Their non-dominant shoulder should be pointing towards the net, while the dominant shoulder should be turned to face the direction of the oncoming ball.
3. Practice Without Hitting: It’s important to emphasize that they should first practice these grip and stance elements without hitting the ball. Have them shadow the overhead stroke, simulating the entire motion without any actual contact with the ball. This will help them get comfortable with the mechanics and muscle memory of the shot.
4. Use Visual Aids: Visual aids can be incredibly helpful. Utilize a mirror or video analysis to show the kids their form in action. A mirror allows them to see themselves and make immediate adjustments. Video analysis can provide a more detailed breakdown, allowing them to see their motion in slow motion and identify areas for improvement.
5. Guided Repetition: Encourage the kids to practice the grip and stance repeatedly. You can incorporate fun drills or games to make it engaging. For instance, you can set up targets on the court and have them pretend to hit overhead shots at those targets. This will help them work on their footwork and timing.
6. Gradual Ball Introduction: Once they’ve grasped the basics of the grip and stance, introduce hitting a ball to practice the full overhead shot. Start with soft, underhand lobs, and gradually progress to higher and faster feeds. Reinforce the importance of the grip and stance as they transition to hitting the ball.
7. Feedback and Positive Reinforcement: Throughout the learning process, provide constructive feedback and positive reinforcement. Celebrate their successes and encourage them to keep working on their overhead form.

By breaking down the process of teaching overhead form in tennis and incorporating visual aids and gradual progression, young players can develop the necessary skills and confidence to execute a powerful and effective overhead shot on the tennis court.

2. Shadow Swings

Shadow swings are a valuable technique in tennis for improving various aspects of a player’s game, including overhead shots. When teaching young tennis players, encouraging them to perform shadow swings without a ball can help them develop a better understanding of the fundamental movements and mechanics required for executing an effective overhead shot.

1. Shadow Swings in Tennis: Shadow swings are essentially practice swings without a tennis ball. They serve several purposes in tennis skill development, and when focusing on the overhead shot, they help kids hone their technique, balance, and coordination.
2. Fluidity and Rhythm: Start by asking the kids to perform shadow swings without a ball. Emphasize the importance of maintaining fluidity and rhythm throughout the entire motion. Explain that a smooth, continuous swing is crucial for generating power and control in the overhead shot. Encourage them to imagine the ball’s trajectory and practice the entire motion as if they were hitting an actual ball.
3. Non-Dominant Hand Position: Pay particular attention to the position of the non-dominant hand during the shadow swings. Stress the importance of keeping the non-dominant hand up throughout the motion. The non-dominant hand is crucial for balance and stability during the overhead shot. Encourage the kids to hold the racket with both hands during the shadow swings and ensure that the non-dominant hand remains above the dominant hand to create a balanced and controlled swing.
4. Whole-Body Engagement: The overhead shot is not just an arm motion; it involves the entire body. Explain to the kids that they should engage their legs, hips, and core muscles to generate power. Encourage them to pivot their back foot and rotate their hips as they swing, just like they would in a real overhead shot. This full-body engagement is key to generating a powerful and effective shot.
5. Imagery and Visualization: Use imagery and visualization to help the kids understand the connection between the shadow swings and actual gameplay. Ask them to picture themselves on the tennis court, responding to a lob from their opponent, and executing a perfect overhead shot. Visualization can help them internalize the correct movements and build confidence in their abilities.
6. Repetition and Progression: Encourage the kids to repeat their shadow swings regularly. As they become more comfortable with the motion, gradually increase the intensity and speed of their swings to simulate real-game situations. You can also introduce targets or specific spots on the court for them to aim their imaginary overhead shots.
7. Feedback and Encouragement: Provide positive feedback and constructive criticism during their shadow swing practice. Correct any form or technique issues early on to ensure they develop good habits. Celebrate their successes and improvements, reinforcing their motivation to continue refining their overhead shot.

By incorporating shadow swings into their training, young tennis players can develop a strong foundation for their overhead shots. This practice allows them to focus on essential aspects of the shot, such as fluidity, hand positioning, and full-body engagement, leading to better overall performance on the tennis court.

3. Ball Toss and Catch:

The “Ball Toss and Catch” exercise is an excellent way to help kids develop essential hand-eye coordination and gain a better understanding of their tennis racket’s positioning. This exercise lays the groundwork for improving their ability to time and control their strokes effectively in the game of tennis.

Here’s an expanded explanation of the “Ball Toss and Catch” exercise in the context of tennis:

1. Hand-Eye Coordination in Tennis: Hand-eye coordination is a fundamental skill in tennis. It allows players to track the ball’s movement and position their racket correctly for a successful shot. The “Ball Toss and Catch” exercise is a fun and engaging way to help kids enhance this critical skill.
2. Equipment Preparation: Begin by ensuring that each child has a tennis racket and a suitable ball. You can use tennis balls, foam balls, or even softer, larger balls for safety, especially if the kids are just starting to learn tennis.
3. Execution of the Exercise: Have the kids stand on the tennis court or any suitable playing area. Instruct them to hold the tennis racket with their dominant hand (assuming they are right-handed, for example) and a ball in their non-dominant hand.
4. Toss and Catch: Ask the kids to gently toss the ball into the air with their non-dominant hand and then attempt to catch it with their racket. Emphasize that they should aim to catch the ball on the racket’s strings. This mimics the movement and timing required for various tennis shots, including volleys and groundstrokes.
5. Focus on Racket Position: Encourage the children to pay attention to the position of their racket while attempting to catch the ball. They should aim to keep the racket face open, with the strings facing upward, so that the ball makes contact with the strings. This helps them understand the importance of proper racket positioning for accurate shots in tennis.
6. Repetitions and Progression: Let the kids practice tossing and catching the ball with their racket repeatedly. As they become more comfortable with the exercise, you can gradually increase the difficulty by tossing the ball higher or lower, forcing them to adjust their racket positioning accordingly. This progression helps them adapt to different ball heights during gameplay.
7. Incorporate Variations: To make the exercise more engaging, you can introduce variations, such as challenging them to catch the ball with specific parts of the racket, like the sweet spot. This can help them become more precise in their timing and control.
8. Transfer to Actual Gameplay: Explain to the kids that the skills they are developing through the “Ball Toss and Catch” exercise are directly applicable to playing tennis. It’s a way for them to practice the fundamental hand-eye coordination and racket positioning they’ll need on the court.
9. Positive Reinforcement: Provide positive feedback and encouragement throughout the exercise. Celebrate their successes and improvements, reinforcing their confidence in their ability to track the ball and control their racket effectively.

The “Ball Toss and Catch” exercise in tennis is a valuable tool for young players to build the foundational skills required for the sport. It helps them develop hand-eye coordination, understand racket positioning, and build confidence in their ability to control the ball, ultimately leading to improved performance in tennis matches.

4. Target Practice:

Target Practice in Tennis: Target practice is an effective and engaging drill in tennis, helping players of all ages, including kids, improve their accuracy and shot placement. When using this drill, it’s essential to set up targets on the court to challenge the players to hit specific areas with their overhead shots accurately.

Here’s an expanded explanation of the “Target Practice” drill in the context of tennis:

1. Setting Up Targets: To begin, prepare the tennis court by setting up targets. You can use various objects as targets, such as cones, hula hoops, or taped areas on the court surface. Place these targets at different distances and heights, both near the net and farther away. Varying the placement of targets will allow kids to practice their overhead shots from various positions on the court.
2. Overhead Shot Accuracy: Explain to the kids that the goal of this drill is to improve the accuracy of their overhead shots. This includes their ability to precisely target different areas on the court based on the location of the targets. Accuracy is a valuable skill in tennis, as it can help them place the ball where their opponent has difficulty reaching it.
3. Execution of the Drill: Have the kids stand at the baseline or at various positions on the court. Instruct them to use their overhead shot technique to hit the targets. Encourage them to focus on using the correct grip, stance, and body positioning, which they have learned through earlier lessons.
4. Variation in Targets: Make sure the targets vary in terms of height and placement. Some targets can be set up near the net to simulate a low, challenging overhead shot, while others can be placed deeper in the court to practice reaching higher targets. This variation will help kids develop their versatility in overhead shots.
5. Progression and Challenges: As the kids become more proficient in hitting the targets, you can introduce challenges to keep the drill interesting and motivating. For instance, you can set a timer to see how many targets they can hit within a certain time frame, or you can establish point values for hitting specific targets. This adds an element of competition and encourages them to improve their accuracy under pressure.
6. Feedback and Improvement: Observe the kids as they practice and provide feedback on their technique and accuracy. Correct any form or stance issues and celebrate their successful hits. Encourage them to focus on their body positioning and the placement of their shots, aiming for the center of the targets.
7. Transfer to Real Gameplay: Remind the kids that the skills they are developing in target practice are directly applicable to real gameplay. Improved accuracy in overhead shots can make a significant difference in their ability to control the ball and win points during matches.
8. Positive Reinforcement: Encourage and praise the kids for their progress. Positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and motivation to continue refining their overhead shots and accuracy.

The “Target Practice” drill in tennis is a valuable tool for young players to enhance their shot accuracy, helping them develop the skills needed to strategically place the ball during matches. It makes training fun and interactive while building an essential aspect of their tennis game.

 

5. Underhand Feeds:

Underhand Feeds in Tennis: Underhand feeds are a fundamental training technique in tennis, especially for young players who are learning to master their overhead shots. This exercise involves a coach or partner delivering the ball with an underhand feed, allowing kids to practice their overhead shot technique. As they become more proficient, the speed and height of the feed can be gradually increased to help them improve their overhead skills further.

Here’s an expanded explanation of the “Underhand Feeds” drill in the context of tennis:

1. Role of the Coach or Partner: In this drill, a coach or partner takes on the role of feeding the ball underhand to the kids. They should stand at the opposite baseline or another suitable location on the court, ready to make controlled feeds to the young players.
2. Encouraging Proper Overhead Form: The primary goal of this drill is to encourage kids to use the correct overhead form they’ve learned during their training. Stress the importance of grip, stance, and body positioning. Remind them that this is an opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a real-time situation.
3. Gradual Increase in Speed and Height: To accommodate the kids’ skill level and progression, begin with gentle underhand feeds that are slow and at a comfortable height for them to practice their overhead shots. As they become more confident and adept, gradually increase the speed and height of the feeds. This progression helps them adapt to different ball trajectories and develop the ability to respond to lobs effectively.
4. Use of Visual Cues: Employ visual cues and demonstrations to help kids understand the desired form and technique. You can show them the correct grip, stance, and follow-through by breaking down the overhead shot step by step. Visual aids can make it easier for them to connect theory with practical application.
5. Repetition and Muscle Memory: Encourage the young players to repeat the overhead shot technique multiple times during the underhand feeds. Repetition helps build muscle memory, allowing them to perform the shot more instinctively in actual gameplay. Consistent practice is key to mastering the overhead shot.
6. Targeted Practice: To make the drill more focused and productive, you can set specific targets on the court. For instance, ask the kids to aim their overhead shots at designated areas. This helps improve their shot accuracy while they maintain proper form.
7. Feedback and Correction: Provide feedback as the kids practice their overhead shots during underhand feeds. Correct any form or technique issues promptly and offer guidance on how to improve. Positive reinforcement and constructive criticism can help them refine their skills.
8. Realistic Game Scenarios: As the players advance, simulate real-game scenarios by incorporating movement into the drill. The coach or partner can move to different positions on the court to replicate the challenges they may encounter during a match, such as responding to lobs from different angles.
9. Positive Reinforcement: Keep the atmosphere positive and encouraging, celebrating their progress and successes. A supportive and motivating environment fosters confidence and a love for the game.

The “Underhand Feeds” drill in tennis is a crucial step in the development of a young player’s overhead shot skills. It provides a controlled environment for practicing proper form and gradually adjusting to more challenging shots. As kids become more comfortable with this exercise, they’ll be better equipped to respond to lobs and execute effective overhead shots during real matches.

6. Ball Machine Drills:

Ball Machine Drills in Tennis: Ball machine drills are an invaluable training tool in tennis, offering a consistent and controlled practice environment for players of all skill levels. When it comes to working on overhead shots, using a ball machine can be particularly beneficial. This type of drill allows players to receive a wide range of shots, varying in height, speed, and direction, thus helping them refine their overhead skills effectively.

Here’s an expanded explanation of the “Ball Machine Drills” for overhead shots in the context of tennis:

1. Utilizing a Tennis Ball Machine: To conduct ball machine drills for overhead shots, you will need access to a tennis ball machine. These machines are designed to feed tennis balls consistently and accurately, making them a reliable practice partner.
2. Variation in Ball Feeds: Adjust the settings of the ball machine to create a variety of overhead shot scenarios. Modify the height of the ball feed to simulate lobs of different heights. Players can practice adjusting their positioning and timing for both high and low balls. Additionally, vary the speed and direction of the feeds to replicate game-like situations where they must move and react to the ball’s trajectory.
3. Focus on Technique: Emphasize the importance of maintaining proper overhead shot technique while using the ball machine. This includes the correct grip, stance, and body positioning. Reinforce the idea that the ball machine offers a consistent practice environment that allows players to apply and refine the fundamentals they’ve learned.
4. Repetition and Consistency: Ball machine drills are excellent for repetition. Players can repeatedly practice their overhead shots, which helps build muscle memory and consistency. Consistent practice is essential for mastering the overhead shot and improving shot placement and accuracy.
5. Simulating Real Match Conditions: The ball machine can be programmed to simulate various in-game scenarios, such as high lobs, deep lobs, and cross-court lobs. This enables players to experience different types of overhead shots they might encounter in matches. It also helps them develop a more comprehensive skill set for handling various situations on the court.
6. Progressive Difficulty: As players become more proficient, you can gradually increase the difficulty of the ball feeds. This could involve increasing the speed, reducing the reaction time between feeds, or randomly varying the height and direction of the lobs. These challenges help players adapt to real-game conditions.
7. Feedback and Improvement: Monitor players during their ball machine drills, providing feedback on their technique and shot placement. Offer guidance on how to correct any form or stance issues and celebrate their successful overhead shots. Continuous feedback can lead to steady improvement.
8. Tracking Progress: Keep records of the drills and monitor players’ progress over time. This allows you to identify areas where they have improved and where they may need more focus. Tracking progress can be motivating and help set specific goals for improvement.
9. Team Building and Competition: Ball machine drills can also be done in a group, encouraging a sense of competition and camaraderie. Players can challenge each other to see who can hit the most accurate overhead shots or target specific areas on the court.
10. Positive Reinforcement: Maintain a positive and encouraging atmosphere during ball machine drills. Recognize and praise players for their efforts and improvements. A supportive environment fosters enthusiasm and a deepening passion for the sport.

Incorporating ball machine drills for overhead shots in tennis provides young players with a structured and dynamic practice experience. This tool allows them to hone their overhead shot skills by offering a wide range of practice scenarios that mirror real match conditions, ultimately leading to increased competence and success on the tennis court.

7. Live Ball Rally:

Live Ball Rally in Tennis: Live ball rallies are a crucial part of tennis practice and development, as they simulate in-game situations and allow players to work on their skills while responding to the unpredictable nature of the sport. When focusing on overhead shots, engaging in live ball rallies with a partner or coach is an excellent way for kids to adapt their overhead technique to different ball trajectories, improving their overall game.

Here’s an expanded explanation of the “Live Ball Rally” drill in the context of tennis:

1. Partner or Coach Involvement: To conduct a live ball rally, kids need a partner or coach to hit balls to them. The coach or partner can stand on the opposite side of the net, feeding balls to the player practicing overhead shots.
2. Simulating In-Game Situations: The goal of this drill is to create a practice scenario that closely resembles real-game situations. Unlike static or controlled drills, live ball rallies offer dynamic and unpredictable ball movement, allowing players to adapt their overhead shots to various ball trajectories, speeds, and directions.
3. Focus on Adaptation: Emphasize the importance of adaptation during live ball rallies. Players need to adjust their positioning, timing, and technique based on the incoming ball. This flexibility and adaptability are crucial in responding effectively to different types of lobs and overhead shots during a match.
4. Incorporate Realistic Challenges: Encourage the coach or partner to incorporate a variety of challenges into the rally. They can feed high lobs to simulate high bouncing balls, low lobs for challenging low balls, and lobs that move left and right to mimic different directions the ball might come from in a game.
5. Shot Placement and Accuracy: While focusing on adaptation, players should also work on shot placement and accuracy. Teach them to target specific areas on the court or to aim for areas that might put their opponent at a disadvantage, such as deep corners or near the baseline.
6. Progression and Variety: As players become more skilled, introduce variations and progressions to the live ball rally. For example, they can practice responding to lobs while on the move, simulating situations where they need to adjust their position quickly.
7. Feedback and Correction: Offer feedback during the live ball rally, addressing any technique or form issues. Correct errors promptly to ensure that players are developing good habits. Positive reinforcement is important, and players should be encouraged to keep trying even if they make mistakes.
8. Rotation and Fun Competition: Rotate players regularly so that everyone gets a chance to practice their overhead shots. You can also introduce fun competitions during live ball rallies, such as seeing who can hit the most accurate overhead shots or who can win a series of points.
9. Transfer to Real Gameplay: Remind the kids that the skills they are honing during live ball rallies are directly applicable to their actual gameplay. This drill helps them build the confidence and ability to execute overhead shots effectively in a match.
10. Positive Environment: Maintain a positive and supportive atmosphere during live ball rallies. Praise players for their efforts and improvements, and create an environment where they can enjoy the process of learning and practicing.

Live ball rallies in tennis provide young players with a dynamic and realistic practice experience. This drill not only helps them adapt to different ball trajectories but also enhances their overall game by fostering adaptability, shot placement, and the ability to handle unpredictable situations on the court.

8. Footwork Drills: