Warm-up is not a highlight reel
Tips
Photo: practice court (public domain / Wikimedia).
Hey,
Warm-up is not a highlight reel.
Most people walk on court and start ripping winners like the match already started. First real point feels weird. Legs are cold. Somebody is already in the bushes looking for balls.
Keep it simple.
Hit 10 to 15 easy balls over the middle. Soft enough you could catch them. Feel the bounce. Feel your feet. If the first ten are all in the fence, that is not a warm-up. That is practicing missing.
Then add a little pace, still crosscourt. Stay on the same side for a bit and find a rhythm. Targets can wait. Clean contact first.
Save the big serves and drop-shot contests for after you have already hit. Got thirty minutes? Spend the first ten like this. Your shoulder will thank you. So will your partner.
Parents: kids do not need a Tour warm-up. They need a short start they can repeat so game one is not chaos. If that sounds boring, good. Boring warm-ups win more points later.
Two people, a hopper, ten quiet balls. That is it.
And a new can of balls does not fix a cold warm-up. Fresh felt is nice. Rhythm is nicer.