Mini Tennis: Net-to-Baseline Warm-Up in Steps

A progressive tennis warm-up in which each pair starts volleying close to the net and steps back stage by stage until rallying from the baseline. The growing distance raises intensity and stroke size without sudden jumps.

How to play

1. Dynamic mobility for shoulders, trunk and hips with the racket in hand (2 min).
2. Step 1: gentle volleys 6 feet from the net, keeping the ball off the ground (2 min).
3. Step 2: rally inside the service boxes with short, controlled strokes (2 min).
4. Step 3: from mid-court, forehands and backhands at the partner's pace (2 min).
5. Step 4: baseline to baseline with full strokes and side shuffles between shots (2 min).

Rules

• Move up a step only when the pair reaches 5 shots in a row.
• No pair hits hard in the first two steps.
• If a ball goes onto another court, raise a hand and wait for it to be sent back.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair user: two bounces allowed and step 4 is played from mid-court.
• Partial visual impairment: bright-colored ball and shorter steps.
• Shoulder injury: stays at steps 2 and 3 with low-to-high strokes.

Learning goals

• Raise body temperature gradually and specifically.
• Match stroke power to distance.
• Prepare tennis strokes before the main part of the lesson.

Equipment for a class of 25

• tennis rackets: 28
• low-compression balls: 28
• mini tennis nets: 6

Teacher tip

Tennis players repeat this routine before every match; keep it every lesson and in two weeks students will do it without instructions. Orange low-compression balls work best.

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