Tennis - Track or watch the ball at all times
TODO
Track or watch the ball at all times
That means seeing the ball
- come off your opponent’s strings,
- passing the net,
- bouncing on your side of the court, and then
- rising up to your racket and finally,
- seeing the blur of the ball coming off your racket,
- travelling back to your opponent.
We know that we should watch the ball but often, it is the first thing that is neglected when step on to the tennis court. We think about where the opponent is standing. We think about their forehand, their backhand, their serve. We think about our strokes. And we simply neglect tracking the ball.
When you track the ball, you give your body the best possible chance to hit the ball clean. We want to be in the right position. We want to be set up to hit those powerful shots. We want to make sure we are hitting the sweet spot. But it is impossible if we are not tracking the ball.
The next time you play the game, the first 5 or 10 minutes, focus on seeing the ball come off of your opponent’s strings, bouncing on your side and then coming off of your racket.
The contact point is so quick. It happens in milli seconds. It is almost impossible to actually see the ball hitting your strings. But what you can do is, focus on the ball rising up to your racket, and then coming off.
One of the best ways to become a fast tennis player, get in the right position and to actually create time is to see the ball coming off of your opponent’s strings. Those first 3 or 4 feet when the ball is travelling towards you, you will be able to pick up if it is coming towards your forehand side or your backhand side. You might not be able to read the depth (how deep the ball is coming), or how short the ball is coming. But you will be able to read the direction and that will allow you to have that unit turn and start moving to the ball in the right way.
You will be amazed at how quickly you start to feel better if you are tracking the ball properly.