Tennis · Level 2: Elementary · Sub-level 2.2
Warm-Up, Rallying and Practice Games
4 tests · 40 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown
How players warm up, how a rally is built, simple practice games and practising alone against a wall or a ball machine.
Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.
Test 1Warming upTake a test
A gentle start gets the eyes and hands used to the ball before the pace rises.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Mini-tennis style rallies are the classic starting point of a warm-up.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Larger, faster movements come after the body is used to the ball.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
A shadow swing rehearses the movement with no ball.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
The surface, light and wind all affect play, so a warm-up helps players adjust.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
A warm-up is about getting set, not winning points.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
A varied warm-up prepares the player for the whole range of shots.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
A warm-up moves from small gentle shots to the biggest one, the serve.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
A routine runs from preparation through warm-up and practice to a cool-down.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · applied
A gentle rally near the net is the usual opening of a warm-up.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · applied
Test 2Building a rallyTake a test
A cooperative rally trains consistency because both sides help it last.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
A cross-court shot travels diagonally and is the longest, safest path over the net.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Down the line means straight ahead, parallel to the sideline.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Depth pushes the opponent away from the net and buys the hitter time.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Players with rally tolerance keep the ball in play under pressure.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
More height over the net gives a safety margin for a beginner's shots.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · applied
Good partners feed predictable balls, so learners can practise cleanly.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
A longer unbroken rally needs more consistency.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Players first stay consistent, then add targets and finally power.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · applied
A diagonal exchange between opposite corners is cross-court.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · applied
Test 3Practice gamesTake a test
A challenger who wins the point against the holder takes their place.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
A short game gives repeated pressure situations in a short time.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Playing out the point means finishing it naturally, however long it takes.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Bonus points tell players that placement matters as well as results.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Match-like points make players decide, which drills alone cannot do.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
The winner holds the court while the loser leaves to join the queue.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Rotating partners exposes players to a variety of opponents.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
The winner holds the court and the loser queues, so the game rotates.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
A single point is the shortest, a race to 11 is longer and a full set is longest.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
One side holds the court and challengers queue and rotate: king of the court.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · applied
Test 4Practising aloneTake a test
A wall returns the ball, so one player can practise alone.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Wall work trains rhythm, contact and control.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Players can practise at any time without a partner.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
A ball machine delivers repeatable balls so a player can practise a shot.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Repeatable balls help players practise a single skill many times.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
A basket of balls lets a player serve repeatedly on court.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
Solo practice works best with a clear aim, such as a number of balls in a target.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · recall
A session sets a target, builds a rhythm, adds pace and ends with a review.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · applied
A machine is set up, started, hit against and then emptied.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · applied
A single player and a wall make a solo practice session.
Source: General coaching reference (practice games) · applied
Sources
ITF Play and Stay and coach-education materials, federation curricula, general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered ITF rules belong to the Rules category.
- General coaching reference (practice games)40