👟Tennis Footwork Lessons & Drills

Many "technique" problems are really footwork problems. If you arrive late or off balance, even a perfect swing will break down. Better movement makes every stroke look better.

The single most important habit is the split step: a small hop timed so you land as your opponent makes contact, ready to push off in any direction. Start with the split-step lessons below. Next, learn the first move (turning the hips and taking a big first step instead of tiny shuffles) and how to recover back toward the middle after each shot.

Intermediate and advanced players can work on adjustment steps, open and closed stances, and the different footwork zones of the court, from defending wide to attacking short balls. The drill videos include at-home options with no equipment. Ten minutes of footwork work before each hitting session adds up quickly, and it doubles as a warm-up.