Coach Resources | Kim Jones Coaching

Quick reference

Stuck for an idea? Pick one and play.

G = game, D = drill. Start easy enough for success, then change distance, target size, feed or scoring to raise the challenge.

Red Ball

G Traffic Lights - move, stop and balance on command.
G Floor Tennis - roll or tap rallies through cone goals.
G Castle Knockdown - hit cones or targets to score.
G Rally Ladder - build 2, 3, 4 and 5-ball rallies.
G Around the World - rotate after each successful hit.
G Cone Champion - win points by landing in a big zone.
G Find the Gap - send the ball away from the opponent.
D Drop-Hit Targets - self-feed forehand and backhand control.
D Roll-Rally Pairs - track, move and meet the ball in front.
D Forehand/Backhand Gates - alternate wings through cone gates.
D Move-Hit-Recover - two feeds, hit, then return to ready.
D Serve to Hoops - underarm or simple overarm service targets.
D Volley Catch & Push - short block action from close range.
D Split-Step Mirror - copy coach movement and ready position.

Orange Ball

G Crosscourt Quest - score for controlled diagonal rallies.
G Four-Ball Builder - earn the right to attack after four.
G Team Target Tennis - collect points for depth zones.
G Defend to Attack - change role when a short ball arrives.
G Service-Box King - mini points with quick reactions.
G Serve & Sprint - serve, recover and play the next ball.
G Net Rush Bonus - extra point for a controlled volley finish.
D Two Cross, One Line - direction control without over-hitting.
D Depth Zones - land three balls beyond a marked line.
D Short-Ball Approach - move forward, approach and recover.
D Serve Target Ladder - wide, body and T progression.
D Serve + One - serve then play the first groundstroke.
D Volley Lanes - forehand/backhand volleys into channels.
D Reaction Split - split on feed, move and block in front.

Green Ball

G Pattern Points - play a set pattern before open play.
G Three-Ball Attack - build, move opponent, then attack.
G Net-Finish Bonus - reward smart transition and volley.
G Serve + One Score - double points when the first pattern works.
G Defend-Build-Attack - call the tactical phase during points.
G Wide-Ball Recovery - score for recovering after stretched shots.
G Pressure Tiebreak - short competitive scoring with routines.
D Crosscourt Consistency - quality height, depth and recovery.
D Deep-Middle Reset - neutralise pressure with margin.
D Two Plus One - two crosscourt then change direction.
D Approach + Volley - short ball, transition and first volley.
D First Volley Deep - place first volley before looking to finish.
D Serve Locations - wide, body, T and second-serve shape.
D Return + One - return target then first rally-ball pattern.

Red Ball

Play, practise and build simple shapes

Focus: track the bounce, send the ball and recover with a smile.

Core games

Rally Builders

Start with an underarm feed. Count consecutive legal hits together; chase a best of 3, then 5. Cue: send a ball your partner can reach.

Treasure Targets

Mark two large target zones. Take five forehands and five backhands each. One point for court, two for target. Cue: aim through the middle of the target.

Find the Space

Play singles with one bounce, first to 7. Restart poor feeds. Cue: look for space, then get ready again.

Core drills

Drop, Hit, Hold

Drop-feed five forehands then five backhands. Hold a balanced finish after each stroke. Cue: side on, contact in front, finish tall.

Move, Hit, Recover

Feed a gentle forehand then backhand. Recover toward a home marker after each hit. Cue: turn early; little steps make space.

Throw, Hit, Catch

One player underarm feeds, the hitter sends it back for a one-bounce catch. Cue: send softly enough for a catch.

Forehand

Ready & turn: balanced start, shoulder turn early. Meet in front: small steps create space. Send & recover: smooth finish, then ready.

Backhand

Ready & turn: simple two-handed shape. Contact together: meet in front with both hands connected. Finish & reset: stay balanced.

Serve

Start simple: side-on; underarm is fine while learning. Reach: toss or place slightly in front. Serve, land, ready: aim at a big service-box target.

Volley

Ready: racquet head up. Catch it in front: short punch, no big backswing. Step & recover: move toward target and reset.

Orange Ball

Direction, depth and controlled movement

Focus: rally with direction and depth, then move with control.

Core games

Crosscourt Quest

Cooperate for four shots, then play the point out in that diagonal. First to 7, then switch sides.

Deep-Zone Points

Bonus point when a groundstroke lands in the deep zone during the rally. Cue: more shape and length, not just speed.

Build Then Open

Keep the first four shots crosscourt, then either player can change direction. Cue: wait for balance before changing direction.

Core drills

Crosscourt Ladder

Build rallies of 4, then 6, then 8 shots. Spend equal time on each wing.

Two Plus One

Feed two forehands then one backhand, then reverse. Cue: move the feet before swinging the arms.

Short-Ball Choice

Mix normal and shorter feeds. Rally the normal ball crosscourt; attack the shorter ball into a deep target.

Forehand

Prepare while moving. Meet in front with shape and net margin. Direct crosscourt or deep, then recover before watching the result.

Backhand

Change grip early. Drive from the body with stable contact, finish with balance and recover for the likely reply.

Serve

Grip & rhythm: continental and relaxed. Toss, reach, throw: reach high. First ball ready: land balanced and recover quickly.

Volley

Split & recognise. Use a short action with contact in front. Place the volley, then recover toward the likely passing angles.

Green Ball

Construct the point and transition forward

Focus: use forehand and backhand patterns to construct a point.

Core games

Pattern Points

Play four shots crosscourt before opening the court. Reward the decision as well as the result.

Traffic-Light Tennis

Before the first hit, call defend, build or attack. Score one for winning and one for a sensible first-shot choice.

Serve + First Ball

Server plans the next forehand or backhand; returner aims for depth. Recover after the serve and read the return.

Core drills

Depth with Shape

Count deep balls across ten shots on a cooperative diagonal. Cue: swing through and up; give the net space.

Build, Build, Change

Two neutral balls then a shorter ball. Hit two crosscourt, then change down the line when balanced.

Read and Recover

Mix playable forehands and backhands at varied depths. Player calls bounce depth, hits a large target and recovers.

Forehand

Read before choosing. Build a reliable ball with height, spin and margin. Attack a genuine short ball, then recover for the likely reply.

Backhand

Protect preparation time. Hold depth under pressure. Change direction selectively from a balanced ball with time.

Serve

Build one repeatable motion. Add placement and spin before chasing more pace. Use serve + first ball as one connected pattern.

Volley

Split on opponent contact. Keep the action compact and contact in front. Approach behind a strong ball and close intelligently.

Session builder

A simple 45-60 minute flow

Red

Move & catch → game → groundstroke drill → serve → volley → points.

Adapt: shorter distance, larger target, bounce/catch first.

Orange

Mini-rally → game → pattern drill → serve + 1 → volley → points.

Adapt: slower feed, bigger zone, cooperative score before competitive.

Green

Dynamic rally → tactical game → pattern drill → serve/return → transition → points.

Adapt: deep-middle target, reduce pace, start point with a coach feed.

Keep a simple record: player/date • forehand strength • backhand focus • serve focus • volley focus • rally best • favourite game/drill • next focus.

Junior tennis coaching manual

Stuck for an idea? Pick one and play.

Red Ball

Orange Ball

Green Ball

Play, practise and build simple shapes

Core games

Core drills

Forehand

Backhand

Serve

Volley

Direction, depth and controlled movement

Core games

Core drills

Forehand

Backhand

Serve

Volley

Construct the point and transition forward

Core games

Core drills

Forehand

Backhand

Serve

Volley

A simple 45-60 minute flow

Red

Orange

Green