Three Elite Tennis Ball Machine Drills

• By Grant Young

As all tennis coaches who’ve ever used one will know, there are numerous reasons why ball machine tennis drills are often considered one of the most effective tools for tennis players looking to improve their game.

Firstly, they provide a consistent and controlled environment for practicing various shots without the unpredictability that comes from hitting with a partner. This consistency allows players to focus on their technique, footwork, and shot placement without worrying about where the ball will be coming from. 

Another significant advantage is the ability to customize drills to target specific skills. For instance, players can adjust the speed, spin, and frequency of the balls being fed, enabling them to work on specific areas such as serves, volleys, or groundstrokes. 

There’s also the unavoidable fact that practicing with a ball machine removes the pressure that can come from playing with others. Players can take their time to focus on their form and make adjustments without the fear of judgment or the competitiveness that often arises in matches and practice sessions. 

Of course, ball machines are available for use almost any time, allowing players to practice at their own convenience. This accessibility means that players can take advantage of additional practice sessions without relying on a partner’s schedule. 

Ball machines (and the drills that can be done with them) offer a versatile, convenient, and effective way for tennis players to refine their skills.

But it can be hard to figure out just which drills are most effective when using a ball machine, as some drills are certainly more suited for an actual opponent. This is why we’ve compiled three ball machine-specific tennis drills from three respected tennis coaches that will expedite any tennis player’s development. 

Cosmin Miholca - Scramble Seven Drill

Cosmin Miholca is a certified tennis coach that has been playing tennis for over 30 years and teaching it for more than 20 years, both in Southern California and more recently in Europe.

Coach Miholca has developed many online tennis courses to share his knowledge with anyone who wants to enjoy tennis, regardless of whether they're a coach or player, or whether they want to play recreationally or competitively.

In his ‘Best BALL MACHINE Tennis DRILLS and GAMES’ clinic, Coach Miholca explains why ‘Scramble Seven’ is one of his favorite ball machine drills.  

For this drill, the ball machine is set to send the balls deep while rotating from side to side, therefore scrambling where each ball will end up and thus force the player to practice both the forehand and the backhand.

The goal is for the tennis player to hit seven balls in a row at the decided upon location (which can be deduced by cones or tape) in a row. Ideally the seven shots will follow this pattern:

1. - 2 balls from the baseline (groundstrokes) 2. - 1 approach shot (around service line) 3. - 4 volleys (at the net)

If any shots are missed, then the drill starts up again at zero. To make it more competitive, the player can alternate each shot to either side of the ball machine or at another specified location, and the exercise can go on until the player either hits seven shots in a row (or however many they’ve like to go for) or whenever the coach declares it’s done. 

Joe Dinoffer - Decision-Making Drilling

Joe Dinoffer has had an extensive "world class" career in the tennis industry, and has conducted clinics and exhibitions in over 50 countries, personally logging over 30,000 hours of instruction in English, Spanish, and German. He is a Master Professional in both the PTR and USPTA, a distinction awarded to only a select few in the tennis industry. He also received the prestigious 2006 USPTA Tennis Industry Excellence Award and was also selected as the 2012 USPTA Texas Pro of the Year. 

In his ‘Ball Machine Drills’ clinic, Coach Dinoffer explains one group drill that he loves using. 

This drill will initially set the ball machine to three different speeds: 

1. A short, high mid-court ball, where the tennis player will want to forehand winner down the line or cross-court. 

2. A high, deep backhand to the corner, where they hit a cross-court ball with topspin, either deep or back cross-court. 

3. Moderately deep to the left of the middle, where the player will run around their backhand and hit a forcing shot either reverse cross-court or down the line. 

Since the player won’t know which ball is being hit to them, this will perfectly replicate the quick decision making that’s required during an actual match. 

Randy Stewart - Windshield Wiper Drill

After passionately coaching the Bryan Vikings for 24 years, Randy Stewart was nominated into the prestigious TTCA Hall of Fame in 2019. This capped a highly successful career impacting high school athletes that extends far beyond the tennis court.

However, his complete understanding of the game, his ability to communicate, inspire, and teach his athletes made his induction an easy decision. He is still sharing his depth of knowledge with the world and to any aspiring coach.

Coach Stewart’s ‘My Favorite Ball Machine Drills’ clinic discusses the highly valuable windshield wiper drill, which is named so because the lines and movement required resemble a car’s windshield wipers. 

One side of the court will be in a line working on their forehand while the other is working on their backhand. Each player gets three shots at different spots, depending on where the ball machine places it.

First will be forehand, then backhand, then the final will be the widest shot, which is to clear any congestion of the rapid movement on court and allow the next player to get into position.