The Most Important Thing Young Tennis Players Should Master

When it comes to developing young tennis players, there are countless skills to learn—forehands, backhands, serves, volleys, footwork, tactics—the list goes on. But if we had to narrow it down to one most important thing for a young player to master, what would it be?

The answer might surprise you.

It’s not a stroke.

It’s not a fitness level.

It’s not even a tactic.

The most important thing a young tennis player should master is: the ability to track and read the ball.

Why Ball Tracking Is Everything

Tennis is a game of movement and timing. At every level, but especially in the early years, the foundation of success begins with the player’s ability to watch the ball—not just looking at it, but truly tracking its speed, height, spin, and direction from the moment it leaves the opponent’s racquet until it reaches their strings.

Young players who master this skill early on are able to:

    •    Position themselves better

    •    Time their shots more consistently

    •    Rally for longer

    •    Make faster decisions under pressure

    •    Adapt to different playing styles and opponents

In contrast, players who struggle to read the ball often end up off-balance, late, and frustrated—regardless of how good their technique may be.

How Can We Help Players Develop This Skill?

Here are a few ways coaches and parents can help young players become great ball trackers:

    1.    Use balloons and slow balls

Especially for red ball beginners, using slower-moving objects gives players more time to track the ball, get set, and build confidence in their timing.

    2.    Ask them to “call” the bounce

Encourage players to say “bounce” or “hit” out loud as the ball lands or is struck. This builds awareness and rhythm.

    3.    Practice overarm throws and catches

These activities aren’t just fun—they train hand-eye coordination and help develop an early sense of timing.

    4.    Limit instruction and let them rally

Sometimes the best thing we can do is let them play. Repetition through play builds natural instincts.

    5.    Celebrate consistency over power

Make the goal to keep the ball in play, not hit it hard. The more they focus on tracking the ball, the more consistent they’ll become.

A Skill That Transfers Everywhere

Mastering ball tracking doesn’t just help with rallies. It improves serving, returning, volleying, and even footwork—because good tracking leads to better positioning. It’s the invisible skill that connects all the others.

So next time your child or student steps onto the court, remember this:

Before technique, before tactics, before competition…

Help them see the ball well.

Because if they can track it, they can hit it.

And if they can hit it consistently, everything else will follow.