A bad toss kills the serve. Most beginners toss the ball wherever and try to hit it. The right move is a consistent toss every time. This drill takes the racquet out and just builds the toss.

What you need: Tennis balls (orange or green).

Setup: Player on the baseline.

How to run it:

  1. Show the toss: ball held lightly in fingertips of the non-hitting hand. Arm straight up. Release at the top.
  2. Toss the ball straight up about 8 feet. Catch it without moving the feet.
  3. Goal: 10 tosses in a row that land in the same spot in front of the body.
  4. After 10, add a step (front foot forward) and toss while stepping.
  5. Last 5 tosses: toss as if serving (slightly in front of the body).

What to watch: The release. A toss that flips off the fingers spins. A toss with a clean release is straight up. Fingers open, ball rolls off.

If they’re struggling: Lower toss height. Slower motion.

If they’ve got it: Close eyes during the catch. The toss should be consistent enough to predict.

Gear for this drill (affiliate)

Orange tennis balls (12-pack) → — slower-bounce balls for learning groundstrokes.

Junior tennis racquet → — HEAD Speed, pre-strung for beginners.

Full tennis gear guide → — all picks by age, sport, and level.

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