The best examples of 3 approach shot drills for tennis players

If you want real, match-like examples of 3 approach shot drills for tennis players, this is the one that should live in your weekly routine. Think of it as your bread-and-butter pattern: hit deep, force a short ball, then move in with purpose.

Here’s how it works in practice.

You and a partner start in a crosscourt rally from the baseline. The feeder (your partner or coach) keeps the ball deep, and you focus on heavy, high-percentage crosscourt shots. After 4–6 solid balls, the feeder deliberately sends you a shorter ball landing around the service line. Your job is to recognize it early, step inside the court, and hit an approach shot to a specific target—usually deep and toward the opponent’s weaker side—then move straight to the net.

The point continues live. Your partner tries to pass or lob, and you finish with a volley or overhead. Right there, you’ve turned a simple rally into a realistic approach pattern.

Key coaching points for this approach drill

You’re not just running in and slapping the ball. You’re training a sequence:

• See the short ball early (split step as the feeder makes contact).
• Adjust your spacing so the ball is in front of you, not jammed into your body.
• Choose a clear target before you swing.
• Move through the shot so your momentum carries you toward the net.

In 2024–2025 you see this pattern constantly at every level, from USTA league matches to the pro tours: players hitting heavy, deep balls until a short one appears, then attacking forward. If you want one classic example of an approach pattern, watch Carlos Alcaraz or Iga Świątek when they get a ball that lands around the service line—they don’t hesitate, they go.

Variations to keep it fresh

To get even more out of this drill, try these real examples of how to tweak it:

• Backhand-only version: You only hit backhands in the rally and on the approach. Great for players who always run around their backhand and never learn to trust it.
• Two-approach rule: You must hit two approaches in a row before the point is live. First approach crosscourt, second approach down the line. This forces you to think about patterns, not just one random ball.
• Target cones: Place two cones 3 feet inside each singles sideline in the service box. Your goal is to land your approach near a cone. This gives you immediate feedback on your aim.

This drill is one of the best examples of 3 approach shot drills for tennis players because it mirrors exactly what happens in real points, especially on hard courts where depth creates short replies.

2. Inside-Out Attack: Forehand-Focused Approach Drill

Many players want an example of an approach shot drill that leans into their strengths. If your forehand is your weapon, this one is for you.

Set up with both players in the ad court (backhand side for right-handers). The feeder sends a neutral ball to your backhand corner. Instead of trading backhands, you run around and hit an inside-out forehand, aiming deep crosscourt. After 2–3 of these, the feeder gives you a shorter ball toward the middle or slightly to your forehand. That’s your green light: step in and hit an inside-out or inside-in forehand approach, then close the net.

Again, the point plays out live. Your opponent can pass, lob, or defend however they like.

This drill is a perfect example of how modern players build points around their forehand, just like you see in top-level tennis. They often run around the backhand, attack with a heavy inside-out forehand, then use the next short ball to come forward.

Why this drill works so well

This is one of the best examples of 3 approach shot drills for tennis players who:

• Have a clear forehand advantage.
• Struggle to decide when to come in.
• Tend to hit too flat or too hard on approach shots.

You’re learning to:

• Use heavy spin on the first few balls to push your opponent back.
• Recognize when their reply lands short enough to attack.
• Choose between inside-out (safe) and inside-in (riskier but more aggressive) approaches.

From a sports science perspective, this also builds repeatable movement patterns. You’re practicing the same footwork over and over: shuffle around the backhand, load on the outside leg, explode into the forehand, then transition forward. Consistent repetition like this is exactly how your body learns efficient movement, which is a big topic in modern tennis coaching and sports performance research.

Simple progressions and real-world examples

If you’re a newer player, start with a cooperative version: your partner agrees to block the ball back crosscourt when you approach, so you can practice 3–4 volleys in a row before the point ends.

Intermediate and advanced players can add:

• One-chance rule: If your approach lands short, the defender is allowed to go for a big pass. This punishes lazy, half-committed approaches.
• Direction call: Before your approach, you must call out “out” (inside-out) or “in” (inside-in). This forces you to commit mentally to your target.

Among all the examples of 3 approach shot drills for tennis players, this one stands out for how directly it translates to match play. You see this pattern constantly in USTA league matches and college tennis in the U.S.—a big forehand setting up an approach.

3. Approach and Recover: Transition Defense-Into-Offense Drill

The third drill is for players who feel exposed when they come to the net. You know that feeling: you hit an approach, take a few steps in, and instantly regret everything.

This drill shows you how to approach, split step, react, and even recover back if you get passed. It’s a great example of an approach shot drill that blends offense with realistic defense.

Start with the feeder on the baseline and you on or just behind the baseline. The feeder hits a deep, slightly challenging ball—something that pushes you back or wide. Your first job is to defend: hit a solid, neutral ball back deep. On the very next ball, the feeder sends a shorter one. Now you must flip the script: move forward, hit an approach, and close the net.

The defender is encouraged to make life difficult with sharp angles, low passes, and lobs. Your task is to:

• Hit the approach with margin (net clearance and depth).
• Split step around the service line.
• React to whatever comes next: volley, overhead, or even a quick recovery step back if they nail a pass at your feet.

Why this drill matters in 2024–2025 tennis

Modern tennis is fast and heavy. Players hit with more spin and pace than ever, even at the recreational level, thanks to racquet and string technology. That means if your approach shot is sloppy, you’re going to see a lot of screaming passing shots.

This drill is one of the best examples of 3 approach shot drills for tennis players who want to:

• Learn to approach off a defensive ball instead of only off perfect sitters.
• Get comfortable transitioning through the mid-court instead of stopping too early.
• Build the reflexes to handle first volleys under real pressure.

You’re training the mental shift from “I’m on defense” to “I’m taking control now,” which is a massive step for players who always camp out behind the baseline.

Match-style variations

Here are a few real examples of how coaches use this drill with competitive players:

• Two-ball defense: You must defend two tough balls in a row before you’re allowed to approach. This simulates grinding out a rally before getting your chance.
• Pass-or-lob only: The defender is only allowed to pass or lob—no neutral shots. This turns every approach into a test of your positioning and volley technique.
• Scorekeeping: Play first to 10 points, but you only earn a point if you win the rally after hitting an approach. This keeps the focus on transition play instead of just grinding from the baseline.

Among the many examples of 3 approach shot drills for tennis players, this one gives you the most realistic feel for how chaotic real points can be when you come forward—and how to stay calm in that chaos.

How to Structure These 3 Approach Shot Drills in a Practice Session

Now that you’ve seen detailed examples of 3 approach shot drills for tennis players, the next question is: how do you fit them into a normal hitting session without turning practice into a mess?

Here’s a simple, practical structure that works well for most adult and junior players:

• Warm up with 10–15 minutes of regular groundstrokes and volleys.
• Spend 15–20 minutes on the Deep-to-Short Pattern drill.
• Spend 15–20 minutes on the Inside-Out Attack drill.
• Finish with 15–20 minutes of the Approach and Recover drill.

If you’re short on time, pick one drill and run it in focused sets of 8–10 reps, then switch roles with your partner. You don’t need marathon sessions; you need focused, repeatable patterns.

Solo and ball-machine examples

If you don’t have a regular hitting partner, you can still use examples of 3 approach shot drills for tennis players by adapting them to a ball machine:

• Program the machine to send 3–4 deep balls, then one shorter ball. Approach on the short one and finish with a volley.
• Set the machine to feed to your backhand corner so you can run around and hit inside-out forehands, then a shorter ball for the approach.
• Use random depth settings so you have to read whether to stay back or move in, just like in a match.

You can also work on footwork patterns without a ball: shadow the sequence of split step, move forward, load on the front leg, swing, then continue to the net. It’s not glamorous, but it’s how your body learns the rhythm of approaching.

Common Mistakes These 3 Approach Shot Drills Help Fix

When coaches talk about examples of 3 approach shot drills for tennis players, they’re really trying to solve a few recurring problems that show up in almost every match:

• Approaching on the wrong ball: Players charge in on balls that are too deep or too fast. These drills train your judgment: short ball = green light, deep ball = stay back.
• Hitting too flat: Many players try to “kill” the approach. These drills encourage topspin and net clearance so the ball dips into the court and stays in.
• Stopping too early: Players often hit the approach and then freeze halfway in. The built-in live points force you to keep moving and actually get to a good volley position.
• No target selection: Random approaches get punished. In every drill above, you’re choosing specific targets: crosscourt, down the line, inside-out, or into the weaker wing.

If you pay attention to these details, the same three drills can keep paying off for months, not just one practice.

FAQ: Approach Shot Drills and Real-World Examples

Q: What are some good examples of 3 approach shot drills for tennis players at the 3.0–3.5 level?
For 3.0–3.5 players, keep it simple and cooperative. Use the Deep-to-Short Pattern with agreed targets, the Inside-Out Attack with slower feeds, and the Approach and Recover drill where the defender blocks the ball back instead of going for big passes. The three drills in this article are all scalable to that level.

Q: Can you give an example of a simple approach shot drill I can do with a beginner?
Yes. Stand on the service line and have a partner gently feed short balls to your forehand. You hit a controlled approach to the deuce corner, then take two steps forward and finish with an easy volley. Reset and repeat. Once that feels comfortable, add movement from the baseline.

Q: How often should I practice these 3 approach shot drills?
If you play 2–3 times per week, try dedicating one session every week to approach work. Even 20–30 focused minutes with clear patterns can noticeably improve your transition game over a month or two.

Q: Are there any health or injury concerns with doing a lot of approach drills?
Approach work involves repeated accelerations, decelerations, and direction changes, which can stress knees, ankles, and hips. A good warm-up and strength work for the lower body can help. You can find general guidance on injury prevention and conditioning for recreational athletes from sources like the National Institutes of Health, Mayo Clinic, and the CDC’s physical activity guidelines.

Q: How do I know if these drills are actually helping my match play?
Track two things for a month: how many times per set you move forward on purpose, and how many of those points you win. If those numbers go up after consistently using these examples of 3 approach shot drills for tennis players, you’re on the right track.

When you look at all these patterns together, you can see why coaches lean so heavily on these specific examples of 3 approach shot drills for tennis players. They’re simple to set up, match-realistic, and they teach you the one thing most club players never learn: how to turn a short ball into a confident, organized trip to the net instead of a nervous sprint into no-man’s-land.