Tennis practice guide
A practical warm-up before a tennis hitting session
A warm-up should prepare more than your arm. Use controlled movement, short swings and gradual spacing so your timing is ready before the pace increases.
Many players begin by hitting hard from the first ball. The body may feel warm after a few minutes, but contact and movement remain rushed. A better warm-up prepares the patterns you are about to use.
Phase one: raise the temperature
Begin with easy movement: light jogging, side steps and controlled direction changes. Add simple shoulder, trunk and hip movement. The purpose is not to tire yourself; it is to make the next phase feel comfortable.
Phase two: find contact close to the body
Start with short, controlled exchanges. Keep the swing compact and focus on a comfortable contact point. This gives you immediate information about spacing and racquet-face control without using full pace.
Phase three: add distance gradually
Move farther back in small stages. Let the swing lengthen only as much as the distance requires. Continue to prioritise balance and a clean finish over speed.
Phase four: rehearse the first pattern
Finish the warm-up with the movement or shot pattern you plan to train. If the session is about the serve, include relaxed throwing actions and controlled serves. If it is about rally tolerance, build a repeatable cross-direction exchange before introducing open play.
You should feel more coordinated at the end—not exhausted. If quality drops, the pace increased too quickly.
Keep the routine repeatable
A short routine you use consistently is more valuable than a complicated routine you skip. Five to ten focused minutes can help your early practice become useful instead of disposable.
For personalised feedback, see private tennis lessons in Riyadh.
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