Tennis for Beginners: The Ready Position (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)
If you’ve ever felt late to every ball, stuck flat-footed, or unsure where to stand between shots, this usually isn’t a fitness problem.
It’s a ready position problem.
Most beginners underestimate how important the ready position is because it doesn’t look flashy. But it’s the difference between reacting and scrambling. If you’re learning how to play tennis as an adult, the early stage can feel confusing fast. That’s why the smartest position to take is starting with the right tennis fundamentals.
What the Ready Position Actually Is
The ready position is your neutral stance — the position you return to before every ball.
It’s not a pose.
It’s a habit.
A simple ready position means:
Knees slightly bent
Weight on the balls of your feet
Racket in front of your body
Eyes forward, relaxed
From here, you can move in any direction without hesitation.
Jofre Porta
Why Beginners Skip It (And Pay for It)
Most beginners watch the ball, admire their last shot, or stand upright waiting to see what happens next.
That’s when they get caught.
Without a ready position:
You react late
Your first step is slow
Every ball feels rushed
You end up reaching instead of moving
Tennis starts to feel chaotic when it doesn’t need to.
The Ready Position Buys You Time
This is the part most adults don’t realize.
The ready position doesn’t make you faster — it makes you earlier.
When you’re balanced and prepared:
Your brain processes the ball sooner
Your feet move without panic
Your swing feels calmer
Suddenly, tennis feels less rushed.
ready position at the baseline
A Simple Way to Practice It
You don’t need a drill basket for this.
Next time you hit:
After every shot, consciously reset
Say “ready” in your head
Check your knees, feet, and racket
Do this for one session.
You’ll be surprised how often you forget — and how much better things feel when you remember.
Common Beginner Mistakes
A few things to watch for:
Standing too tall
Holding the racket too low
Locking your knees
Waiting flat-footed
The ready position should feel alert but relaxed, not stiff.
ready position, return of serve
Why This Matters Long-Term
As rallies get faster and opponents hit with more pace, the ready position becomes even more important.
Players who build this habit early:
Feel more in control
Move more efficiently
Improve faster with less effort
It’s one of those fundamentals that quietly carries your whole game.
The Bigger Picture
Tennis gets easier when your body knows where to return between shots.
The ready position gives you that reset point.
If you ever feel late, rushed, or unsure on court, come back to this. Most of the time, the fix isn’t complicated — it’s foundational.
Alright, let's break down those tennis volleys. The ones where the balls don't bounce, they're soaring through the air with you standing right up at the net.
Sending love from Mallorca~