5 Solo Tennis Drills You Can Do with a Ball Machine

One of the biggest challenges in tennis is finding consistent practice time. Coordinating schedules with a hitting partner isn't always possible, and taking lessons every day gets expensive fast. That's where solo tennis practice with a ball machine comes in — it lets you work on specific shots, build muscle memory, and improve your game on your own schedule.

Whether you own a machine or are considering renting one for a session, these five tennis ball machine drills will help you make the most of every minute on the court.

1. The Crosscourt Forehand Rally

Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
Focus: Forehand consistency, footwork, and depth

Set the ball machine on the opposite baseline, feeding balls to your forehand side at a moderate pace (one ball every 3–4 seconds). Position yourself on the deuce side and hit every ball crosscourt, aiming deep into the ad-side corner.

• Reps: 3 sets of 20 balls
• Key focus: Consistent follow-through, staying on your toes, recovering to the center after each shot
• Level up: Increase the feed speed or add topspin to the machine's output

This drill is the bread and butter of tennis practice alone. The crosscourt forehand is the highest-percentage shot in tennis, and grooving it until it's automatic will win you more points than any fancy trick shot.

2. The Two-Ball Backhand Approach

Skill level: Intermediate
Focus: Backhand consistency, transitioning to net

Set the machine to alternate between two positions: one deep to your backhand, followed by a shorter ball (mid-court) to your backhand. On the deep ball, hit a solid crosscourt backhand. On the short ball, step in and hit an approach shot down the line, then move forward to the net position.

• Reps: 2 sets of 15 sequences
• Key focus: Split-stepping between shots, changing grip smoothly, forward momentum on the approach
• Level up: After hitting the approach, shadow a volley at the net before recovering

Many players neglect their transition game. This drill forces you to practice moving forward — something that's hard to work on without a consistent ball feed.

3. The Volley Rapid-Fire

Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
Focus: Volley reflexes, soft hands, court positioning

Move the ball machine (or angle it) so it feeds balls at you while you stand at the service line. Set the speed to medium and the interval to fast (every 2 seconds). Alternate forehand and backhand volleys, focusing on keeping your racquet head up and punching through the ball.

• Reps: 4 sets of 15 balls
• Key focus: Short backswing, firm wrist, staying in the ready position
• Level up: Have the machine oscillate side to side so you have to move laterally between volleys

This is one of the best tennis ball machine drills for improving your net game. Most recreational players rarely practice volleys, so even a few sessions will give you a real edge.

4. The Inside-Out Forehand

Skill level: Intermediate
Focus: Offensive forehand, footwork, court positioning

Set the machine to feed balls to your backhand side (ad court). Instead of hitting a backhand, run around the ball and hit an inside-out forehand crosscourt into the deuce side. This is one of the most powerful weapons in modern tennis — think Nadal or Alcaraz.

• Reps: 3 sets of 15 balls
• Key focus: Quick lateral movement, setting up with your outside foot, full shoulder rotation
• Level up: Alternate between inside-out (crosscourt) and inside-in (down the line) forehands

This drill is physically demanding but incredibly rewarding. A ball machine is actually the ideal training tool for this — you need a consistent feed to the same spot to groove the footwork pattern.

5. The Serve-Plus-One Simulation

Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
Focus: First-shot response after serving, point construction

Here's a creative way to use a ball machine for serve practice. Set the machine on your side of the net, behind you, with a delay. Serve, then immediately turn and get ready — the machine will feed a ball simulating a return of serve. Play out that ball as if it's the start of a rally.

• Reps: 2 sets of 10 serves + returns
• Key focus: Quick recovery after the serve, reading the incoming ball, making a quality first groundstroke
• Level up: Vary your serve (flat, slice, kick) and adjust your positioning accordingly

Most players practice serving and groundstrokes separately, but points are won in the transition between them. This drill bridges that gap.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Solo Practice

• Set goals for each session. Don't just hit aimlessly — decide what you want to improve before you start.
• Use targets. Place cones, towels, or water bottles on the court to aim at.
• Practice with intention. Quality reps beat quantity every time. Focus on technique first, then ramp up intensity.
• Record yourself. Set up your phone on the fence to review your form later.
• Mix it up. Spend no more than 10–15 minutes on each drill to keep your focus sharp.

Solo tennis practice with a ball machine is one of the most efficient ways to improve. You get hundreds of quality repetitions in a single session — something that's nearly impossible with a hitting partner who also needs to practice their shots. If you don't own a machine, renting one for a few hours is a great way to get serious practice time without the $2,000+ investment.

The key is consistency. Even one focused session per week with a ball machine can dramatically improve your game over a few months. Pick two or three of these drills, set some targets, and get to work.