The Unwritten Rules of Tennis Clinic Etiquette (Don’t Be That Guy) 🎾

Here’s an update to a post I made a few years ago. Ideally, this increases your enjoyment and helps you avoid an awkward court moment or two.

Most tennis clubs have clinics where a teaching pro wrangles a group of players through various drills and games for about 90 minutes. Some clinics are organized by skill level, while others have a mix. The best clinics, in my opinion, are the ones where the pro’s energy is infectious and they’re not afraid to step in and play, because let’s face it, good competition is the goal. With clinics priced between $20 to $35, they’re a nice option, especially with this summer’s rain and heat turning outdoor matches into a game of “will we melt or will we drown?”

A tennis clinic is also a good way to work on your game without the pressure of a match. It’s a place for drills, laughs, and occasionally sending a ball into the next county. To make sure everyone has a good time and keeps all their original teeth, here’s my definitive list of ground rules.

Section 1: On-Court Safety (Seriously, It’s Not the Thunderdome)

• Keep Your Head on a Swivel: We’re all here to hit balls, which means there are a lot of them flying around. A rogue tennis ball is a great way to start an unscheduled trip to the ER. Be a good neighbor: clear stray balls off the court and give a friendly heads-up like “Heads up!” or “Ball on court!” Don’t be the person who gets so focused on their forehand they fail to notice a ball slowly rolling under their feet, causing a domino effect of disaster. A good pro will have you running, so keeping things safe comes first.

• The Net Player Is Not a Target: We all get a little competitive, but a hard-hit forehand to the face of the person at the net is not a great way to make new friends. It’s a clinic, not a gladiator arena. Let’s aim to have fun and leave with the same number of teeth we started with. While a body shot might be a legal tactic in a match, in a clinic it’s a social faux pas on par with asking a stranger, “Are you pregnant?”

Section 2: Play to Practice, Not to Win (Because it’s Practice, Not a Match)

• No Winners Off the Feed: When the pro feeds you a ball, your job is to get the point started, not to end it with a thunderous, unreturnable ace. Hitting a winner on the first stroke is a “win” for you and a massive “lose” for everyone else who wanted to hit more than one ball. Don’t be that player, also known as the “Drill Killer.” The goal is a great rally, not a quick point.

• Stay in a Realistic Court Position: We all know that standing on top of the net isn’t legal in a match. Don’t do it in a clinic, either. Give yourself and your partner a real-world practice scenario. Besides, who wants to be known as the player who loves to play with their toes on the net?

• Give Generous Line Calls: There is no prize money on the line here, so if a ball is close, it’s in. The goal is to get a great rally going, not to prove you have 20/20 vision and a deep-seated desire to call everything “out.” Don’t be the player who makes a questionable call on a ball that a pro fed you. We’re all trying to get better, so let’s agree to let the ball be our friend, even when it’s on the line.

Section 3: Respecting the Group (Because You’re Not the Only One on the Court)

• Be Aware of the Skill Level: The difference between a 4.0 and a 4.5 player isn’t just a number—it’s a philosophy. The 4.5 is a player who can be aggressive while maintaining consistency, while the 4.0 might be working on it. Be aware of the various levels in your clinic and choose your shots accordingly. If you’re a big hitter it’s not an excuse to hit balls through lower level players. Instead, focus on placement and strategy. The goal is to elevate everyone’s game, not to turn it into a personal highlight reel.

• Be Quick to Rotate: When your turn is up, it’s time to rotate. No one likes a “linger-er” on the court. It slows down the game for everyone and is a surefire way to get a lot of side-eye. If you have any doubt, rotate out and enjoy a little break while you wait for your next turn. The clinic runs on a finely tuned clock, and you’re not the main cog.

• Maintain a Positive Attitude: We’re all here to have fun. If you’re a grumpy gus, the other players will notice, and frankly, it’s contagious in the worst way. Most of us are here to escape the workweek, not to relive it on a tennis court. A positive attitude and a few good-natured jokes can go a long way. After all, what’s better than hitting a tennis ball and cracking a few jokes? Nothing, that’s what.