Roger Clarke draws upon over a decade of experience coaching tennis in his role as a tennis professional at Hinsdale Racquet Club in Hinsdale, Illinois, where he works year-round with students of all ages and skill levels. Beyond teaching at Hinsdale, Roger Clarke has developed training programs for students at local schools.
While executing shots is a vital skill in tennis, footwork is just as important to a well-rounded game. These three drills will help improve your speed and agility on the court.
1. Split step - One of the most common footwork drills, the split step improves your agility and anticipation capability. Begin by standing in front of the baseline with your feet together and then hop over the baseline with your feet planted shoulder-width apart. Immediately hop back to the starting position and repeat for 10 to 20 reps.
2. Jumping rope - This playground activity is also instrumental in improving your footwork on the court. Perform regular two-foot jumps, alternating single-foot high steps, or arm crossover jumps for periods of 15 to 30 seconds.
3. Single-leg run - Using an agility ladder, quickly jump from rung to rung using only one foot. Alternatively, you can do a double-leg run up the agility ladder.
